Dates In Spiced Wine Food

PISTACHIO CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB WITH DATE COUSCOUS AND BAHARAT SPICED CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the lamb: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and add to a bowl with the pistachios and panko. Mix thoroughly to combine and set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron pan with some canola oil. Sprinkle the lamb liberally with salt and pepper on all sides. Sear the lamb, fat side down, until a crust forms and it begins to turn golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the lamb and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lamb and place onto a sheet tray lined with a rack. Spread the mustard evenly over the top and sides of the rack of lamb. Pat the pistachio crust mixture onto the lamb, pressing down to ensure it's nicely adhered.
• Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing into double chops. Season the lamb chops with a sprinkle of salt.
• Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat with some canola oil. Add the thyme, bay leaf, shallot and black peppercorns and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot begins to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine has almost completely reduced, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the veal demi and bring back up to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, another 5 minutes or so. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a saute pan. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Add the pomegranate molasses and continue to reduce the sauce until it's thickened, another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the red wine vinegar and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon (1 1/2 teaspoons) butter.
• For the couscous: Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat with the vegetable stock, dates, butter, cinnamon and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then whisk in the couscous. Turn off the heat and cover. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with more salt if necessary. Fold in the chervil, parsley and tarragon.
• For the carrots: To make the baharat spice, add the dried mint, cardamom, clove, coriander, cumin, nutmeg and pepper to a small bowl. Mix together to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
• Spread the carrots onto a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the homemade baharat spice mix. Transfer into the oven and roast until the carrots are lightly charred and tender, about 20 minutes.
• Serve the lamb and sauce alongside the roasted baby carrots and couscous.

SPICED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH DATES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, the paprika and brown sugar. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and cook until browned, 6 minutes. Flip the chicken; transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until cooked through, 10 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil.
• Pour off the juices from the skillet; reserve. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and set over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, undisturbed, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Toss; cook until tender, 2 more minutes. Add the dates and vinegar; cook until the vinegar is reduced, 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the reserved skillet juices and any juices from the plate of chicken.
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles in the boiling water as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the noodles and return to the pan. Add the butter and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water. Toss until coated, adding more cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper and stir in 3 tablespoons parsley.
• Slice the chicken and top with the sauce. Serve with the noodles; sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.

SPICED WINE

Steps:

• Put the sugar, the orange zest, juice and chunks, cinnamon and nutmeg in a pan with 300ml/1⁄2pt water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 mins to infuse the spices, then add the wine and apple slices and bring to a simmer. Serve in heatproof glasses.

HOT SPICED CHRISTMAS WINE

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the oranges in strips, being careful to remove only the orange part, leaving the pith behind. Then, juice the oranges into a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
• Pour the red wine and white wine into the pot with the orange juice. Place the strips of orange zest, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and brown sugar into the pot with the wine mixture; stir to dissolve the sugar.
• Cover and heat over medium-high until heated through, but not boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and heat for an hour or longer to bring all of the flavors together. Adjust the sweetness by adding more brown sugar, as necessary. Strain and serve hot with a splash of brandy, if desired.

SPICED DATES WITH MASCARPONE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the wine to a simmer.
• Add the dates and poach until the skins blister.
• With a slotted spoon, lift out the dates and, while warm, remove and discard the skins.
• Cut open the dates on one long side, remove the pits and place two almonds in the center of each date.
• Fold closed.
• To the wine, add the honey, peppercorns, cloves, orange zest, allspice, cinnamon sticks and bay leaf.
• Continue simmering until the wine is reduced by half, about 20 minutes.
• Strain wine into a clean saucepan.
• Add the dates to the wine and heat gently, over a medium low heat, until warmed through, but not hot, then remove from heat.
• To serve, place a dollop of mascarpone in the center of each of four plates.
• Spoon two dates and a little wine sauce on each plate, sprinkle lightly with sea salt and serve.