Lamb Chops With Anise Food

LAMB CHOPS WITH INDIAN SPICES

Steps:

• Marinate the chops in the lime juice, vinegar, chilli powder and a pinch of salt while you make the rest of the marinade.
• Heat 100ml of the oil in a small saucepan and add the gram flour, stirring continuously for a minute or two until the flour forms a smooth sandy paste and you begin to smell a nutty aroma. Transfer the paste to a bowl and leave to cool.
• Crush the star anise using a pestle and mortar, then tip into a food processor with the chillies, garlic, papaya and the remaining oil and blend to a smooth paste. Mix both pastes over the marinated meat and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours.
• To cook the chops, preheat the oven to fan 180C/conventional 200C/gas 6. Lift the chops out of the marinade and wipe off any excess so the chops are just lightly coated. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and fry the chops in batches for a couple of minutes on each side until browned. Transfer to a roasting tray and roast for 10-20 minutes depending on how pink you like your lamb. Serve the chops with mint sauce and winter salad.

MARINATED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Whisk together the oil, balsamic vinegar, parsley, rosemary, cumin, garlic and 2 tablespoons mint in a medium bowl. Place the lamb into a resealable plastic bag and pour half of the marinade over the lamb. Season with salt and pepper, seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Add the lemon zest and juice and remaining 6 tablespoons mint to the remaining marinade and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot; lightly brush with oil.
• Remove the lamb from the bag, letting the excess marinade drip off (discard the marinade). Season with salt and pepper. Grill the chops, turning once, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Serve the chops with the reserved marinade.

LAMB CHOPS WITH GARLIC-ROSEMARY SAUCE

Steps:

• Chop garlic. Pat lamb dry and season with salt and pepper. In a 12-inch heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sear lamb 3 minutes. Turn lamb over and sear 2 minutes more for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to 4 plates. Add garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, and stock to skillet and deglaze over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Whisk in butter. Pour sauce over lamb.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH CORIANDER, FENNEL, AND STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Mix coriander, fennel, and peppercorns in heavy small skillet. Toast on medium-high heat until aromatic and slightly darker, about 2 minutes. Transfer to spice grinder; process until finely ground. Rub each shank with 1 rounded teaspoon spice blend. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add shanks to pot. Cook until brown on all sides, about 20 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to same pot. Add onion and next 4 ingredients; sauté over medium heat until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add remaining spice blend and stir 1 minute. Add Port and simmer until liquid is reduced to 2/3 cup, about 15 minutes. Add both broths; boil until liquid is reduced to 3 1/2 cups, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Return shanks to pot. Add cloves, star anise, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper. Cover pot with foil, then lid. Place pot in oven and braise lamb until tender, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Uncover and cool slightly. Place in refrigerator until cool, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm in 350°F oven for 20 minutes before serving.)
• Place 1 lamb shank on each of 4 plates. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce and vegetables over lamb and serve.
• *Brown, star-shaped seed pods; available in the spice section of some supermarkets, at Asian markets, and at specialty foods stores.

ROSEMARY ROAST LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Turn the oven to fan 200C/ conventional 220C/gas 7. Heat half the oil in a flameproof roasting tin or ovenproof sauté pan. Brown the lamb for 2 minutes on each side, then lift out of the pan and set aside. Add the rest of the oil to the pan, add the potatoes, then fry for 4-5 minutes, until starting to brown. Add the rosemary and garlic, then return the lamb to the pan, too.
• Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, then scatter over the tomatoes and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Place back in the oven for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes just begin to split. Remove from the oven and serve straight from the dish.

LAMB SHANKS BRAISED WITH ANISE AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Finely grind star anise in spice grinder or in mortar with pestle. Rub half of ground star anise over lamb shanks. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add lamb to pot; brown on all sides, about 12 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pot; add onions, celery, carrots and garlic and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Return lamb to pot. Add all stock, orange juice, peel and remaining star anise. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until lamb is tender, about 1 hour 45 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.)
• Transfer lamb to large bowl. Cover with foil. Working in batches, transfer cooking liquid and vegetables to processor; puree until smooth. Return liquid to pot. Boil until liquid is reduced to 6 cups, about 20 minutes. Mix in honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour over lamb and serve.