Lamb Chops With Fresh Herbs And Roasted Figs Food

PAN-FRIED LAMB CHOPS WITH HARISSA

Steps:

• Over open flame, place 2 red bell peppers. Allow to roast until charred. Wrap in plastic wrap and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Scrape charred skin off peppers.
• Gather the cumin, coriander and caraway in a small skillet and toast over low heat until fragrant. Then grind to a powder in spice mill or a clean coffee grinder. Put the peppers into a food processor along with the spices, garlic, chiles, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice and pulse to puree.
• Sprinkle olive oil over lamb chops on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Put chops on grill pan preheated over medium-high heat. Cook for 8 1/2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Serve the chops with the harissa and the Bulgur Wheat Salad. Garnish with cilantro.
• Toast bulgur in dry pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes and add in the juice of 1/2 lemon. In medium bowl, pour the boiling water over the bulgur. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap, and let stand until the bulgur has absorbed all of the liquid and is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. In small bowl, combine figs, honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1/4 cup hot water and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Fluff bulgur and stir strained figs and almonds. Add chopped scallions, cilantro, parsley, mint and olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice, to taste. Stir to combine.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat down to 1/8-inch around each lamb chop and sprinkle both sides with seasoning salt. Let sit for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly oil the grate once the grill is hot.
• Place lamb chops on the hot grate and grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Rotate chops, to achieve crisscross grill marks, and continue grilling, 2 to 3 more minutes. Flip the chops and grill for 2 to 3 minutes. Rotate chops and continue grilling an additional 2 minutes, or until they have reached desired doneness. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 130 degrees F (54 degrees C).
• Remove chops from grill and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Allow to rest under foil, about 10 minutes.

HERB-ROASTED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients and 1 Tb olive oil in a large bowl. Add lamb; turn to coat.
• Let marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Heat remaining 1 Tb olive oil in heavy large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add lamb; cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer skillet to oven and roast lamb chops to desired doneness, about 10 minutes for medium-rare.
• Transfer lamb to platter, cover, and let rest 5 minutes.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH FRESH FIG PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• Prep the Lamb: Trim the lamb of all connective tissue and excess fat. Reserve the trimmings for the pan sauce the next day.
• Make the Marinade: Mix together all of the marinade ingredients. Pour the marinade into a resealable bag or container.
• Marinate the Lamb: Add the lamb and give it a toss to coat it in the marinade. Put it in the refrigerator overnight. Take the lamb out of the refrigerator 1/2 hour - 1 hour before you are going to grill.
• Preheat the grill.
• Start the Pan Sauce: While the grill is heating, begin making the pan sauce. In a medium skillet on medium high heat, saute the lamb trimmings until they are fully cooked and crispy. Scoop them out of the skillet, leaving the fat and the bits of meat stuck to the pan behind.
• Add the salt, shallots and garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add the port and bring to a boil. Let the port reduce for 5 minutes, then add the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil again and reduce for 5 minutes. Take the sauce off the heat while you grill the lamb.
• Grill the Lamb: Take the lamb out of the marinade and wipe it off. You don't want all that olive oil on the grill.
• Grill the lamb on high for 3-4 minutes per side. Medium rare lamb is 125F, and medium is 135F. Use your meat thermometer to check for doneness. Set the lamb aside to rest for a few minutes while you finish up the sauce.
• Finish the Sauce: On medium heat, bring the sauce back up to a low simmer. Add the figs. Warm them through, 1-2 minutes.
• Take the sauce off the heat and add the thyme. Wait about 30 seconds, then start stirring in the butter. Once the butter has melted and the sauce is glossy, serve the fig port sauce with the lamb.

LAMB CHOPS WITH FRESH HERBS AND ROASTED FIGS

Steps:

• For lamb:
• Combine herbs in small bowl. Rub lamb with olive oil, half of chopped herbs, and garlic; cover and chill overnight.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat grapeseed oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper; sear until brown on both sides, 5 minutes total. Transfer lamb to large rimmed baking sheet; roast to desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to cutting board; let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Maintain oven temperature; reserve baking sheet for figs.
• For figs:
• Place figs and thyme sprigs on baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining herbs and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Roast in oven at 425°F for 10 minutes.
• Cut lamb racks into individual chops; arrange on plates and place figs alongside.