Seeded Lamb Chops With Tamarind Food

ROASTED LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE-TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, juice, stock, and Tamarind-Pasilla Paste in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then increase the heat so the mixture simmers. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid has thickened and reduces to a little less than 1 cup, about 20 minutes. Turn the heat to very low and keep the sauce warm while you cook the lamb.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle the lamb with the olive oil, sprinkle generously with salt and place in the skillet. Cook on each side for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 3 minutes. Cut the lamb crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Put the slices on the plates and spoon on the sauce. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and serve right away.
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Line a plate with paper towels.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to dance. Add the pasillas and fry on both sides until they're puffed up, about 15 seconds total. Transfer the chiles to the paper towels to drain. Put them in a small bowl, pour in the boiling water and let them soak until their soft, about 15 minutes. Drain the chiles and reserve them and the soaking liquid separately.
• Discard the oil and wipe the skillet clean. Set it back over medium-high heat. In a large bowl, toss the garlic, tomatoes and onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss gently and put them in the hot skillet. Cook until they're charred with visible black spots, about 7 minutes on each side. Transfer the vegetables to a clean bowl and let them cool to room temperature.
• Put the tamarind pulp, chiles, 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid and the roasted vegetables in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer up to a month.

SEARED LAMB LOIN CHOPS

Steps:

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Generously season chops with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Place in skillet and cook until chops reach 130 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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.