Harissa Lamb Cutlets With Pomegranate Couscous Food

HARISSA LAMB CUTLETS WITH POMEGRANATE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the grill. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt and half the harissa with seasoning. Remove 2 tbsp, set aside, then add the lamb to the remainder and marinate while you make the couscous (or overnight).
• In a bowl, cover the couscous with the hot stock and add the rest of the harissa. Cover with cling film and leave for 5 mins, then stir in the chickpeas, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, apricots, pomegranate seeds and half the mint.
• Transfer the lamb to a baking tray and grill for 2-3 mins each side (pour any cooking juices into the couscous and stir). Serve the lamb with the couscous, reserved yogurt and a scattering of mint.

HOT HARISSA LAMB WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Spoon 1 tbsp harissa into a jug, fill with 400ml boiling water, then pour over the couscous in a large serving bowl. Cover and stand for 5 mins. Fluff with a fork, then empty the salad on top.
• Heat a frying pan. Season lamb, then fry for 1 min each side. Mix sugar and remaining harissa together, then spread over the lamb. Cook for 2 more mins on each side, remove from pan and rest for 5 mins. Add a splash of water to the pan, then boil to make a sauce. Slice lamb and serve on top of the salad with the sauce drizzled over.

HARISSA COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Tip couscous into a heatproof bowl. Add scallions, mint and cherry tomatoes.
• Pour over hot vegetable stock mixed with harissa. Stir and cover with a plate. Leave for 5 mins, then pour over olive oil and lemon juice and stir through.

GRILLED SAVORY LAMB CHOPS WITH A POMEGRANATE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Marinade -- In a large baggie, mix the yogurt, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice and orange juice. Add the lamb chops and marinade all day. Up to 8 hours preferably or as long as you can.
• Pomegranate -- What is the world do I do with it? Well it does stain, and it is a mess. But oh so good. Now I found pomegranate seeds at Whole Foods, but my Publix grocery store has fresh pomegranate at 1/6th the cost. Secret to cleaning them. One -- wear a dark shirt, two stand over the sink -- three DO NOT use a wood cutting board. Cut in half and then again in half. In a bowl of water pull the seeds away from the membrane and pulp. The seeds sink, the pulp floats. Then just scoop out the membrane and the seeds are ready to enjoy. That easy. It is definitely a treat.
• Couscous -- Now, just follow the instructions. Most of the quick cooking brands will require 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups water. Personally, I use chicken stock. It adds so much flavor. For the most part, I just boil the water in a medium bowl in the microwave, remove, add the couscous, stir once and cover with a plate. Let set 5 minutes. While you let the couscous set, you need to grill the lamb. Then as the lamb rests you can flavor your couscous.
• To the couscous -- add in the pistachios, lemon zest, cilantro, cinnimon, olive oil and the pomegranate seeds, a little pepper (salt if you want) but the broth is salty.
• Lamb -- Now as the couscous rests grill your lamb. I prefer the outside grill, but a inside grill pan will be just fine. Medium high heat brushed with olive oil. You could also use a cast iron pan as well for this. Just brush off most of the yogurt marinade so it doesn't sweat but browns as it cooks. Grill 5-7 minutes per side until you see nice grill marks and then remove. You want them medium rare about 140 degrees. A thermometer is very helpful at this point unless you are very comfortable with judging the doneness of the meat. Don't over cook. Remove and just cover to let them rest.
• Finish up your couscous as they cook and then serve 2 chops per person over a nice bed of the couscous. A nice saute of spinach, kale or swiss chard to me is a great side or maybe just some roasted green beans or even broccoli. This makes a beautiful dish served to company. A little expensive with the lamb, but such a nice treat. And besides the couscous, vegetables are inexpensive, so my philosophy is spend money on one main item to focus on and cut back on other items. You guests will never know and they will love it regardless.

HARISSA-SPICED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Pat chops dry and coat on all sides with harissa. Transfer to a glass or ceramic dish and marinate, covered and chilled, 2 hours.
• Sprinkle chops with salt. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chops on all sides, 7 to 8 minutes total.
• Add butter and thyme and continue to cook, turning chops frequently with tongs and basting occasionally, until thermometer inserted between ribs to center of a chop (do not touch bone) registers 120 to 125°F for medium-rare, 15 to 18 minutes more. Transfer chops to a cutting board and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes.
• Serve with ground cumin for sprinkling.