Warm Lamb And Couscous Salad With Pomegranate Molasses Recipes

SLOW-ROAST PERSIAN LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a small bowl, mix the molasses with the cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Scatter the onion over a casserole dish or a deep roasting tin. Place the lamb on top of the onions. Pour the glaze over the lamb. Rinse the bowl out with about 200ml water, then pour it around - not over - the lamb.
• Cover the dish with a lid or the tin with a large piece of foil. Roast the lamb, undisturbed, for 3 hrs, then remove the lid or foil and continue to roast for 30 mins to give the lamb colour. When the lamb has had its time, pour off the juices, remove as much fat as possible, then pour the juices back over the lamb.
• Just before serving, gently toss all the salad ingredients together. Serve the lamb with its sauce, the salad and some warmed flatbreads.

POMEGRANATE-MARINATED LAMB WITH SPICES AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Whisk pomegranate molasses, coarsely chopped garlic, olive oil, ground ginger, cinnamon, 1 3/4 teaspoons cumin, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Add lamb and toss to coat. Cover and marinate 2 hours at room temperature, or up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Drain, reserving marinade. Pat lamb dry.
• Heat heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add meat and bones, if using, and cook until browned, turning occasionally, about 2 minutes total per batch. Return all lamb and bones to skillet. Add reserved marinade and 1/4 cup water. Cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer over medium-low heat until meat is tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring remaining 1 cup water and chicken broth to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add couscous and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cumin. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand covered 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork, then stir in butter until melted. Divide couscous among plates and top with lamb, pomegranate seeds, and basil leaves, spooning remaining sauce over lamb.
• A thick pomegranate syrup; available at some supermarkets, at Middle Eastern markets, and from adrianascaravan.com.

GRILLED LAMB WITH POMEGRANATES AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the infused olive oil: In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil with the garlic and lemon zest and cook over medium heat until the garlic just begins to brown and the oil is fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
• For the Israeli couscous: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Spread the slivered almonds onto a sheet tray and toast until golden, 5 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the infused oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the Israeli couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt, bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook, covered, until the water is absorbed, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the pomegranate, golden raisins, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric and toasted almonds. Stir to combine and season with more salt to taste.
• For the lamb chops: Heat a grill pan over high heat until almost smoking.
• Dip the rosemary into the infused oil and brush both sides of the lamb chops with the oil. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place onto the grill pan fat-side down and cook for 2 minutes. Cover with a metal bowl to trap the heat and continue to cook, turning on all sides, until medium rare, about 10 minutes. Set aside to rest. Place the lemon halves onto the grill and cook until caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
• To serve, slice the lamb into single chops and plate on top of the couscous. Drizzle the pomegranate molasses over the lamb chops and garnish with torn mint. Serve with the grilled lemon.

WARM LAMB AND COUSCOUS SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Rub the lamb backstraps with a mixture of cumin, black pepper and salt.
• Couscous:
• Place couscous and butter in a medium bowl.
• Pour boiling stock over the couscous.
• Cover tightly and allow to soak for five minutes.
• Fluff with a fork.
• Allow to cool a little.
• Add the finely diced tomato, capsicum, lemon and mint then set aside.
• Lamb:
• Heat a pan over medium high heat, add the oil and cook the lamb backstraps until medium (about 5 minutes a side depending on thickeness).
• Remove from the pan and allow to rest about 10 minutes before slicing on the diagonal to serve.
• Divide the cous cous mix between 4 serving plates, arrrange the slices of lamb over that and drizzle a couple of teaspoons of pomegranate molasses over each serve.
• Greek yoghurt could also be offered at the table.

HERBY COUSCOUS WITH CITRUS & POMEGRANATE DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the couscous in a shallow bowl, then pour over 200ml boiling water. Cover the bowl with cling film, then leave for 5 mins until the couscous has swelled up and absorbed all of the water. Ruffle with a fork to separate the grains, then stir through the pomegranate seeds and herbs.
• Make a dressing by mixing together the orange juice, white wine vinegar and olive oil, then stir into the couscous. Season well with salt and serve.

HARISSA LAMB CUTLETS WITH POMEGRANATE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the grill. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt and half the harissa with seasoning. Remove 2 tbsp, set aside, then add the lamb to the remainder and marinate while you make the couscous (or overnight).
• In a bowl, cover the couscous with the hot stock and add the rest of the harissa. Cover with cling film and leave for 5 mins, then stir in the chickpeas, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, apricots, pomegranate seeds and half the mint.
• Transfer the lamb to a baking tray and grill for 2-3 mins each side (pour any cooking juices into the couscous and stir). Serve the lamb with the couscous, reserved yogurt and a scattering of mint.