Lamb With Herb Paste And Spinach Recipes

LAMB WITH HERB PASTE AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425º. Remove as much of the surface fat as is practical from the lamb. Combine the parsley, dill, oil, anchovies and garlic in a food processor (if you're not using the anchovies, add some salt). Purée, adding a little water if necessary. Rub the lamb with this mixture.
• Put the lamb on a rack in a roasting pan with about 1/2 cup of water. Roast for 30 minutes, then check; if the lamb threatens to burn, turn the heat down to 350º; otherwise leave it at 425º. If the bottom dries out (the rendering lamb fat should keep it moist), add a little more water. After about 1 hour (total), check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. When it reaches 130 for medium rare (125 for very rare) in its thickest part (check it in several places), it's done. Total cooking time will be less than 1 1/2 hours. Remove and let it rest.
• Pour off and reserve all but 2 tablespoons of the fat and put the pan over a burner (or two, if it fits better). Toast the bread crumbs over low heat, stirring and seasoning with salt and pepper until they're lightly browned. Remove; add another couple of tablespoons of the fat to the pan. Add the pine nuts, raisins and spinach and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the spinach is very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated. Carve the lamb and serve it on a bed of spinach, sprinkled with the bread crumbs.

HERB-ROASTED LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven so the lamb will sit in the middle of the oven.
• Peel 6 of the cloves of garlic and place them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and butter. Process until the garlic and rosemary are finely minced. Thoroughly coat the top and sides of the lamb with the rosemary mixture. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Toss the potatoes and remaining unpeeled garlic in a bowl with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the lamb on top of the potatoes. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to 350 degrees F and roast for another 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until a meat thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees F for medium-rare. Place the lamb on a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve with the potatoes.

SABZI (SPINACH AND LAMB STEW)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or similar pot, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and chile, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side and add the lamb to the other. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, 3 to 8 minutes total. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (or 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or fine salt) and 4 cups water, then stir and bring to a gentle boil, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until the lamb is tender, 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, in a kettle or a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, and keep at a simmer.
• In a very large skillet with a lid, heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium. Add the cilantro and garlic chives, and fry, stirring occasionally, to bring out all the flavors, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl.
• Place the same skillet over medium-high heat (no need to wash), add the chopped spinach and the just-boiled water, and cover partially. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid is gone, about 20 minutes.
• Add the lamb, 1 cup of its cooking liquid (any remaining broth can be refrigerated or frozen for another use) and the cilantro mixture to the spinach. Stir to combine well, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all the flavors mingle, about 15 minutes. Taste, season with salt if desired and serve with challaw.

HERBED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the seasonings; set aside 1/4 teaspoon. Rub remaining herb mixture over both sides of lamb chops. In a shallow dish, combine the oil, lemon juice, bay leaves and lemon zest. Add chops and turn to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain., In a large skillet, brown chops for 2 minutes on each side. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Top with butter and sprinkle with reserved herb mixture.

HERB AND MUSHROOM LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Pat chops dry and remove any bone fragments.
• Mix olive oil, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, pepper, salt, and garam masala together in a glass or ceramic bowl. Rub mixture on both sides of the lamb chops. Cover chops with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 to 40 minutes, or overnight.
• Let chops sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high to high heat until smoking; add the chops. If it is a big pan, all can be cooked in one batch, if not, in 2 batches. Cook until firm and slightly pink in the centers, 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or to desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium doneness. Remove to a plate.
• Prepare sauce: Heat butter in the same pan over medium heat. Saute shallot until light golden, about 5 minutes; add mushrooms and fry until slightly browned. Add garlic and cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in 1 tablespoon each rosemary and thyme. Pour in wine and bring to a simmer while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced and thickened.
• Remove from heat. Arrange the chops in the sauce and let sit to absorb flavors, about 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with remaining rosemary and thyme; sprinkle with sliced chiles.