Lamb Chops With Pomegranate Sauce And Saffron Pilaf Recipes

PULLED LAMB SHOULDER WITH STICKY POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Put the garlic, cinnamon, cumin, oregano and lemon in a blender with 1 tsp salt and 2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth. Put the lamb in a large roasting tin and tip the marinade over the top. Massage all over the lamb and leave for 24 hrs in the fridge, or up to 2 days.
• Remove lamb from the fridge 1 hr before cooking. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Scatter the onions around the lamb, tucking some underneath, then pour over the pomegranate juice. Cover the lamb with foil and cook for 4 hrs.
• Remove the foil, carefully pour the meaty pomegranate juices from the tin into a large saucepan and add the honey. Increase oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7, re-cover the lamb and continue cooking for 30 mins. Meanwhile, bubble the cooking liquid over a high heat until reduced, thick and syrupy - this may take up to 30 mins.
• Pour the sticky pomegranate glaze over the lamb and onions and return to the oven for another 30 mins, uncovered, until the glaze is bubbling and just starting to char, and the lamb is really tender. Mix the yogurt, most of the pomegranate seeds and mint leaves in a small bowl. Shred the lamb at the table and serve with the sticky onions and the minty pomegranate yogurt. Scatter over the remaining pomegranate seeds.

LAMB CHOPS WITH A POMEGRANATE AND RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan.
• Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper.
• Add the lamb chops to the pan and cook until they reach the desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side to get a thick chop to medium rare.
• Set the lamb aside.
• Add the shallots and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add the red wine and deglaze the pan.
• Add the stock, pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar, honey, butter and rosemary, salt and pepper.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until it thickens to form a sauce, about 6-10 minutes.
• Pour the sauce over the lamb.

SPICED LAMB PILAF

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and cook until soft and translucent, about 15 mins. Add the garlic and spices, and stir in for 2 mins.
• Crumble the stock cubes into 1.2 litres of just-boiled water. Add the rice and shredded lamb to the pan. Stir well to coat the grains in the oil and spices, then pour over the stock. Bring to the boil, then cover with a lid and lower the heat. Cook for 12 mins or until the rice is tender and the stock absorbed.
• Once the rice is ready, remove from the heat and add the raisins, spring onions, tomatoes and herbs, mixing well. Season to taste and serve topped with more herbs, almonds and a drizzle of natural yogurt.

LAMB CHOPS WITH POMEGRANATE RELISH

Steps:

• Cut orange segments into 1/8-inch pieces over a bowl; collect juice (about 1/3 cup); set orange segments aside. Whisk orange juice, wine, pomegranate concentrate, 2 tablespoons of honey, oil, garlic and oregano in a bowl. Arrange lamb in a 9" x 13" baking dish; pour marinade over lamb. Cover; chill 1 to 2 hours, turning once. Combine cut orange, pomegranate seeds, onion, mint, remaining 1 tablespoon honey and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss gently; chill. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Remove lamb from dish, pat dry and grill to desired doneness (3 minutes per side for medium-rare). Let rest 1 to 2 minutes. Serve topped with relish.

LAMB CHOPS WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE & SAFFRON PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and arrange the rack 8 inches from the broiler.
• Heat a pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add the butter and melt, then add the orzo and stir. Toast the pasta to golden brown, 3 minutes, then add the rice and stir to combine. Add the saffron threads to the pan and stir in the stock. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook the rice for 15 to 18 minutes, until tender.
• Meanwhile, roll the pomegranate on the counter while applying pressure for a minute. Hold the pomegranate over a small pot and cut into it with a small sharp knife; the juice will come rushing out. Squeeze the pomegranate until 3/4 to 1 cup of juice is produced. Add the wine and Worcestershire to the juice, then add the peppercorns, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and reduce the liquid by half, 6 minutes or so. Pour a little sauce into a small bowl, stir in the cornstarch, and then pour the mixture back into the sauce. Cook to thicken, about 1 minute; remove the whole cloves and bay leaf before serving.
• Arrange the chops on a broiler pan and season with salt and pepper. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, or only 1 minute on each side for pink centers.
• When the chops go in, heat the EVOO in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 2 minutes, then wilt in the spinach and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Serve the chops topped with pomegranate sauce, and with saffron pilaf and wilted spinach alongside.