North African Marinade Recipes

NORTH AFRICAN LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Season the lamb chops with salt and place in a shallow dish.
• To make the chermoula, combine the cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin, paprika, thyme, turmeric, lemon peel, oil, lemon juice, and pepper flakes in a food processor and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Pour three-quarters of the chermoula over the lamb and rub in. Cover and let marinate for up to 10 hours in the refrigerator. Store the remaining chermoula in the refrigerator (bring to room temperature before serving).
• To make the couscous, bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the couscous, dried mint, and salt. Cover and turn off the heat. Let steam for 8 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork. When slightly cooled, fold in the lemon zest and juice and the fresh mint, reserving some mint for garnish.
• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chops from the marinade, wiping off any excess. Arrange half of the chops in the pan in a single layer, taking care not to crowd them. Cook until well browned on both sides, turning as needed, about 8 minutes total. Repeat with the other half of the chops.
• Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving with the minted couscous and the remaining chermoula, garnished with the reserved fresh mint.

NORTH AFRICAN MARINADE FOR FLANK STEAK

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients except steaks in a bowl and mix well. (Marinade can be kept refrigerated for 7 to 10 days.).
• Pierce the steak all over on both sides with a sharp fork or skewer. Place it in a zipper-lock bag or shallow glass baking dish. Pour over the marinade and refrigerate overnight (cover if using a dish). Shake and turn the bag or turn the meat occasionally. Let it come to room temperature before cooking.
• TO GRILL THE STEAK:.
• Pat the steak dry. Grill the steak over medium-hot coals in a covered or uncovered barbecue or directly over the flames of a gas grill. Flank steak is best cooked medium-rare and should never be cooked more than medium; the internal temperature should be 130 to 135 degrees F. This should take roughly 4 to 5 minutes per side on a standard grill.
• Allow the steak to rest for 5 minutes, covered loosely with aluminum foil, before carving into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices across the grain.

NORTH AFRICAN MARINADE

Steps:

• Place onion, garlic, ginger, spices and salt in a skillet. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes or until spices are fragrant and lightly roasted. Remove from heat.
• In a blender combine the spice mixture, lemon juice, and puree to a smooth paste.
• Spread paste over seafood, poultry, beef or pork and marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES, LEMON, AND ONIONS

Steps:

• In a spice grinder, a clean coffee grinder, or a mortar, grind the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway, cumin, and turmeric to a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl and add the harissa and chopped garlic. Add the olive oil to make a thick paste. Make 8 or 9 deep slits all over the lamb and insert some of the spice paste, rubbing the paste all over the surface of the meat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature or, preferably, refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before roasting.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the leg of lamb fat side down in a roasting pan that will hold the onions in one layer. Roast for 20 minutes. Mix the lemon juice and wine in a small bowl. Turn the meat and pour the lemon-wine mixture over it. (If you are roasting the lamb in a clay dish, warm the mixture first, because cold liquid can cause the clay to crack.) Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and roast for 35 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes with the pan juices. If the pan dries out, add a little more wine.
• Transfer the lamb to a plate and add the onions to the pan, tossing them well to coat them with the pan juices. Add the rosemary sprigs or sprinkle with dried rosemary, toss, place the lamb on the onions, and continue roasting, basting often, for another 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 135°F. Transfer the meat to a heated platter, cover with a double layer of aluminum foil, and set aside. (Leave the oven on.) If the pan juices are watery, transfer most of them to a saucepan and cook briefly to reduce.
• Meanwhile, return the pan to the oven and continue baking the onions until tender, with browned edges. Turn the oven to broil. Place the lamb on the onions again and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the surface is deep brown and crackling. Carve the lamb and serve, passing the pan juices in a bowl or sauceboat at the table.