Pomegranate Marinated Lamb With Spices And Couscous Recipes

POMEGRANATE-MARINATED LAMB WITH SPICES AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Whisk pomegranate molasses, coarsely chopped garlic, olive oil, ground ginger, cinnamon, 1 3/4 teaspoons cumin, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Add lamb and toss to coat. Cover and marinate 2 hours at room temperature, or up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Drain, reserving marinade. Pat lamb dry.
• Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add meat and bones, if using, and cook until browned, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes total per batch. Return all lamb and bones to skillet. Add reserved marinade and 1/4 cup water. Cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer over medium-low heat until meat is tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring remaining 1 cup water and chicken broth to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add couscous and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cumin. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork, then stir in butter until melted. Divide couscous among plates and top with lamb, pomegranate seeds, and basil leaves, spooning remaining sauce over lamb.
• A thick pomegranate syrup; available at some supermarkets, at Middle Eastern markets, and from adrianascaravan.com.

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.

LAMB BRAISED IN POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Generously season lamb chops with salt and black pepper.
• Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over high heat. Place lamb chops in Dutch oven and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to a plate and reduce heat to medium.
• Stir onion and a pinch of salt into the Dutch oven; cook until onions are slightly golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Pour pomegranate juice into the Dutch oven and scrape any browned bits off of the bottom of the pot. Pour in balsamic vinegar, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil.
• Stir rosemary, mint leaves, and red pepper flakes into pomegranate juice mixture. Continue to boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Return lamb and any accumulated juices to Dutch oven, spoon pomegranate mixture over lamb, and cover.
• Cook in the preheated oven until meat is fork tender, about 2 hours. Transfer lamb to a plate and set Dutch oven on the stovetop over high heat. Bring pomegranate mixture to a boil; cook, skimming any fat that accumulates, until liquid is reduced by 1/3, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in honey and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Return lamb to the Dutch oven; stir to combine. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, sliced mint leaves, and pumpkin seeds.