Seared Lamb With Golden Israeli Couscous Recipes

HERB CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB WITH HARISSA SAUCE AND SAFFRON ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ZUCCHINI AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the couscous: Set up a small pot of boiling water and season liberally with salt. Add the couscous and cook until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a large saute pan with some oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced fennel and onions and season with salt. Cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chickpeas, saffron, chicken stock and cooked couscous. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the chicken stock has reduced, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and toss in the chopped fennel fronds.
• For the lamb: Add the parsley, panko, pistachios, oil, rosemary and salt to taste to a bowl. Mix well to combine then set aside.
• Cut the rack of lamb in half so you have two pieces with four bones each. Sprinkle liberally with salt on all sides.
• Heat a large saute pan with some oil over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Sear the lamb, fat side down, until golden brown and a crust begins to form, about 5 minutes. Flip the lamb and sear on the underside as well as each side until golden brown, another few minutes each. Remove the lamb from the pan, place onto a sheet tray and discard the excess fat in the pan. Reserve the pan for the sauce. Place the rack of lamb into the oven and bake until the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer when inserted into the center of the meat, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and brush the top side of the racks evenly with the mustard. Press the pistachio herb crust onto the rack, ensuring the crust adheres to the mustard. Place the crusted rack of lamb back into the oven until the crust is golden and the lamb reaches 135 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest before slicing. Once rested, slice each lamb rack into double chops.
• To the same pan that the lamb was cooked in, add some oil, the fennel, onions, crushed red pepper and salt to taste. Saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic and harissa and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce reduces by half and has slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Serve the sliced lamb alongside the couscous.

SEARED LAMB SHOULDER WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Season lamb with paprika, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in lg skillet over medium heat.
• Cook 4-6 min per side. Let rest at least 5 min before slicing to serve.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in pot over med-high heat.
• Add onion and stir until softened or 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in apricots, salt, pepper, couscous, and water amount specified on couscous package.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover until water is absorbed or 8-12 minutes
• Fold in spinach.
• Serve together.

GRILLED LAMB WITH POMEGRANATES AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the infused olive oil: In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil with the garlic and lemon zest and cook over medium heat until the garlic just begins to brown and the oil is fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
• For the Israeli couscous: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spread the slivered almonds onto a sheet tray and toast until golden, 5 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the infused oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the Israeli couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt, bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook, covered, until the water is absorbed, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pomegranate, golden raisins, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric and toasted almonds. Stir to combine and season with more salt to taste.
• For the lamb chops: Heat a grill pan over high heat until almost smoking.
• Dip the rosemary into the infused oil and brush both sides of the lamb chops with the oil. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place onto the grill pan fat-side down and cook for 2 minutes. Cover with a metal bowl to trap the heat and continue to cook, turning on all sides, until medium rare, about 10 minutes. Set aside to rest. Place the lemon halves onto the grill and cook until caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
• To serve, slice the lamb into single chops and plate on top of the couscous. Drizzle the pomegranate molasses over the lamb chops and garnish with torn mint. Serve with the grilled lemon.