Tamarind Barbecue Lamb With Yucca Mojo Avocado And Parsley Oil Food

CLASSIC HUMMUS WITH FRIED CHICKPEAS AND PARSLEY OIL

Steps:

• Cover the chickpeas with 4 cups water in a large pot with 1 teaspoon baking soda and refrigerate 8 hours or up to overnight to soak.
• Strain the chickpeas and discard the soaking liquid. Rinse the chickpeas and return them to the pot. Add the remaining teaspoon baking soda and water to cover by about 3 inches over the chickpeas. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cook, skimming off and discarding any foam that rises to the surface. Cook the chickpeas until tender but still hold their shape, about 30 minutes. Remove 1 cup of chickpeas from the pot with a slotted spoon. Drain well and reserve on a paper towel-lined plate to dry. Continue cooking the remaining chickpeas until they are mostly intact and soft and creamy (not crumbly) when pressed between a thumb and forefinger, about 10 minutes more. If the liquid boils off too much while cooking, add more water to cover and continue to cook.
• Meanwhile, make the parsley oil. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the parsley leaves and cook 10 seconds, then drain. Immediately run the parsley under very cold water to cool it completely, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Squeeze out the excess liquid and then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
• When the chickpeas are done cooking, strain them and discard the liquid. Let the chickpeas sit in the strainer to drain and dry out for 5 minutes. Put the chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor along with the tahini, lemon juice, garlic and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt and process until the mixture is a paste, scraping down the bowl as necessary. With the motor running, slowly pour in 1/4 cup of the ice water and continue to process, adding more water by the tablespoon as necessary, until the mixture is smooth and light, about 5 minutes. The hummus should be slightly loose because it will firm up as it sits.
• Transfer the hummus to a shallow bowl and cover by lightly pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface; set aside until ready to serve. (The hummus can also be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.)
• Put the cooked parsley leaves in a blender along with 1/2 cup olive oil and puree until the parsley is fine and the oil green, about 5 minutes. Transfer the parsley oil to a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface. Parsley oil can be used right away, or held at room temperature up to 6 hours
• Just before serving, fry the chickpeas. Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Pat the reserved chickpeas dry with a clean towel and carefully add them to the skillet. (The oil will bubble up for a few seconds.) Fry, shaking the pan occasionally, until browned and crisp, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer the chickpeas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately sprinkle with the lemon zest, cayenne, cumin and some salt; toss to coat.
• Remove the plastic wrap from the reserved hummus. Make a shallow circular indentation with the back of a spoon in the center of the hummus. Mound the fried chickpeas in the center of the hummus. Drizzle with the parsley oil, spooning most of it around the edges of the hummus.

GRILLED SHELL STEAKS WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY OIL

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Place water, salt, and whole garlic cloves in a small saucepan and bring to a boil on the grates of the grill. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
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• Brush steaks on both sides with the garlic-water mixture and season with pepper. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness, basting with the garlic-water mixture every minute or so.
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• While the steaks are grilling, mix together the oil, finely chopped garlic, and parsley in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste. As soon as the steaks come off the grill, pour the sauce over the steaks and let sit 5 minutes. Cut the steak into 1/4-inch thick slices and serve.

SARDINES WITH PARSLEY OIL

Steps:

• Open 1 tin sardines packed in oil and pour off the oil into a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon honey and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the bowl with the oil. Serve with the sardines and crackers.

GRILLED "TANDOORI" LAMB

Steps:

• Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, onion, garlic, ginger, garam masala, paprika, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until combined.
• Toss lamb and salt into marinade; mix until lamb pieces are coated evenly. Cover mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours.
• Skewer lamb pieces so they barely touch. Wipe off excess marinade with a paper towel. Brush with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Grill skewers on medium heat until lamb springs back to the touch, about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
• Garnish with red onions, lemon wedges, and chopped cilantro as desired.