Grilled Lamb With Wintry Rice Salad Food

GRIDDLED LAMB WITH WILD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the rice in boiling salted water following pack instructions. Drain and immediately run under cold water until the rice is completely cold.
• Meanwhile, put the oil, vinegar, garlic and cumin in a screw-top jar. Season generously and shake well to mix. Toast the almonds in a small frying pan, stirring, for 1-2 mins. Cool, then roughly chop.
• Mix the rice with the almonds, tomatoes, olives and parsley. Heat a griddle pan and season the lamb well. When the pan is hot, cook the lamb, turning occasionally, for 7-8 mins. Remove from the pan, cover with foil and leave to rest for 2 mins.
• Pour the dressing over the rice salad and mix well. Top with the lamb cutlets and serve.

SPICED LAMB AND RICE WITH WALNUTS, MINT AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• If using dried chickpeas: Put soaked chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes to an hour, until tender. Top up with water as necessary to keep chickpeas covered. (If using pre-cooked or canned chickpeas, skip this step.)
• Season lamb pieces generously with salt and pepper. In a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches over high heat, brown the lamb pieces on both sides, removing them to a plate as they are cooked. (Don't crowd the pan or they won't brown nicely.)
• When all the lamb is browned and the pot is empty, reduce heat to medium high. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add raisins, pomegranate molasses (if using), cumin, coriander, allspice, mace, and cinnamon and stir to coat. Return lamb to the pot, along with any juices.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• If using canned chickpeas, drain well. If using cooked chickpeas, drain and reserve the cooking liquid. Add drained chickpeas and rice to onion mixture and stir together. Turn heat to high and add 2 cups chickpea cooking liquid (or 2 cups water or broth, if using canned chickpeas). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover tightly. Bake about 1 hour, until lamb is tender when probed with a fork and rice is cooked through. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, or up to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it foams. Add walnuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Salt lightly and set aside. Fluff the lamb and rice gently, lifting up from the bottom. Serve directly from pot or transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, mint and crushed red pepper. Pass a bowl of yogurt at the table.

LAMB STEAKS WITH MOROCCAN SPICED RICE

Steps:

• Put the rice in a pan with water to generously cover, and add the stock cube or powder. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-12 mins, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
• Heat the grill and season the steaks or chops. Grill for 3-4 mins on each side until cooked to your liking.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry gently for 5 mins until lightly coloured. Add the garlic and pine nuts, then fry until the nuts are lightly toasted. Stir in the spices, then add the apricots and rice and mix well, heating everything through. Stir through the parsley or coriander and serve with the steaks or chops, adding the lemon wedges for squeezing over.