Exotic Yogurt And Saffron Marinated Lamb Chops Shishlik Recipes

EXOTIC YOGURT AND SAFFRON MARINATED LAMB CHOPS / SHISHLIK

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the marinade. Place the saffron in a large, deep nonreactive bowl and grind to a fine powder with a pestle or the end of a wooden spoon. Add the warm water, stir, and let stand for 10 minutes.2. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, onion, garlic, peppercorns, and orange peel to the dissolved saffron and stir to mix. Add the lamb chops and make sure they are completely submerged in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 24 to 48 hours (the longer the better).3. Preheat the grill to high.4. Meanwhile, prepare the saffron basting sauce. Place the saffron in a small, heavy nonreactive saucepan and grind it to a fine powder with a pestle or the end of a wooden spoon. Add the warm water, stir, and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the butter and lemon juice to the dissolved saffron and stir over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is blended and heated through. Remove from the heat and set aside.5. When ready to cook, remove the chops from the marinade, season with salt and pepper. Oil the grill grate, then arrange the chops on the hot grate. Grill, turning with tongs, until cooked to taste, 8 to 10 minutes per side for medium-well, which is how Iranians like their lamb ("It's more tender that way," explains Najmieh). Brush the chops several times as they cook with the saffron basting sauce.6. Transfer the chops to serving plates or a platter and serve immediately.Serves 4

SPICED MARINATED LAMB CHOPS WITH GARLICKY YOGURT

Steps:

• Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Transfer 1/2 cup yogurt mixture to a small bowl and set aside for serving. Stir cumin, coriander, turmeric, and allspice into remaining yogurt mixture.
• Season lamb chops with salt and pepper. Using your hands, evenly coat all sides of chops with spiced yogurt mixture (avoiding the bone if they are frenched). Let chops sit at room temperature 30 minutes, or cover and chill up to 12 hours.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Wipe off excess marinade from lamb chops and cook half until nicely browned, about 3 minutes per side (the yogurt in the marinade will help them take on color quickly). Remove chops from skillet and pour off fat (no need to wipe it out). Repeat with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and remaining chops.
• Serve lamb chops with reserved yogurt mixture alongside.