Best Armenian Lamb Recipes

ARMENIAN LAMB AND GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the lamb and vegetables: Thread the eggplant slices onto 2 parallel skewers, piercing through the skin to stabilize the slices flat. Thread the zucchini slices the same way on 2 more skewers. Thread the onion slices the same way, piercing through the widest part of the slices. Finally, thread the tomatoes the same way, piercing though their equators with the stem sides facing up.
• Place skewers on a sheet tray and drizzle and season all sides with olive oil, 1 teaspoon zaatar, salt and pepper.
• Drizzle both sides of each lamb chop with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and remaining tablespoon zaatar.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan for cooking over medium-high heat and heat a wide, heavy-bottomed braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Sear the lamb chops in the braiser for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted through the center of the meat (avoid bone) reads 135 degrees F. Cover with foil and let rest while you grill the vegetables.
• Grill the eggplant and zucchini skewers, flipping once, until they have grill marks and are slightly tender, 3 to 5 minutes total. Meanwhile, grill the onion skewers, flipping once, until slightly charred and tender, 7 to 8 minutes total. Grill the tomatoes, flipping once, until they just start to burst and release their juices, 5 to 6 minutes total.
• For Herb Sauce: Stir together the olive oil, vinegar, dill, mint, parsley, garlic, serrano and shallot in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the vegetables from the skewers to a serving platter or bowl. Place the lamb chops on a second platter and drizzle with the herb sauce and any juice left behind in the pan.

ARMENIAN PUMPKIN AND LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Cut the pumpkin into 2 to 3 inch chunks, leaving skin on. Brush with oil & roast at 400 degrees F skin side up about 30 minutes until softened & browned. Remove from oven & set aside to cool.
• Combine coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and clove in a spice mill
• or coffee grinder. Grind until smooth. Set aside. Head a tblsp of oil
• in large, heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the lamb in one layer. Sprinkle with
• the spice mixture. Seer over medium heat until lightly browned, about 3-5
• minutes. Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside.
• Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Saute, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, celery root, tomatoes, and acorn squash. Add the broth. Return lamb to the pan. Partly cover and gently simmer until the lamb is tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• While the stew is simmering, peel the skin from the roasted pumpkin & add to the stew in the last 1/2 hour of cooking.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook the rice according to package directions, set aside.
• Divide the rice among warmed bowls. Ladle the stew over the rice. Garnish with coriander and parsley. Serve immediately.

ARMENIAN CHE KUFTA (RAW LAMB PATTIES)

Steps:

• Lamb should be put through grinder three times.
• Mix in salt and pepper to taste, before adding bulgur and onions.
• Add salt to finely chopped green pepper, finely chopped green onions and finely chopped handful of parsley.
• Squeeze vegetables with hands to draw moisture and add to lamb.
• Also add cayenne pepper, if desired.
• Knead all together adding a little water until all ingredients stick together.
• Shape into patties and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Serve at once.

LAHMAJOON: ARMENIAN LAMB PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 f. Carefully split each pita bread in half with a serrated knife to make a thin circle. Set pitas aside. Mix all other ingredients together throughly in a large bowl. Place 1/4-1/3 C. of lamb mixture in the center of each pita circle. With a fork, press the lamb mixture onto the pita to within 1/4" of the edge. Bake the lahmajoon for 25-35 minutes on a foil-wrapped cookie sheet until browned and crisp. Serve with tabouli and hommus. Note: these can be frozen cooked. Just place the lahmajoon meat-side together, wrap in plastic and foil. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes open-face to reheat.

ARMENIAN STUFFED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Marinate lamb: Remove fell (the thin outer membrane) and all but 1/8-inch layer fat from lamb. Make 12 small incisions in outside surface and insert garlic slivers. Combine oil, lemon juice, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place lamb in glass dish and spread o il mixture evenly over inside and outside surfaces. Let stand covered at room temperature 1-1/2 hours or refrigerate overnight. (If lamb is refrigerated, let warm to room temperature 1-1/2 hours before roasting.).
• Make stuffing about 1-1/2 hours before roasting lamb: Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery; saute until tender but not browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, pine nuts and parsley. Reduce heat to low and cook until rice turns opaque, 2-3 minutes. Gradually stir in broth. Stir in currants and pepper to taste. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer covered until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and add allspice and cinnamon while fluffing rice with fork. Let cool at room temperature about 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 475 degrees.
• Place lamb, fat side down, on work surface. Spoon about 2 cups stuffing into pocket where bones were. Press leg together and tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place lamb on rack in roasting pan. Spoon remaining stuffing into small casserole and set aside.
• Roast lamb on rack in upper third of oven until browned, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Carefully pour 1-1/2 cups water into pan. Continue to roast, basting every 15 minutes, until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of leg registers 145 degrees for medium-rare; it will take about 45 minutes. Fifteen minutes before lamb is done, spoon 1-2 T. pan juices over stuffing in casserole and bake in oven until heated through. Transfer lamb to carving board and let stand 15-20 minutes.
• Spoon fat from pan juices, then heat juices to boiling, scraping loose browned bits on bottom of pan. Strain into sauceboat and season with pepper.
• Slice lamb 1/2-inch thick and serve with stuffing and pan juices.

ARMENIAN LAMB

Steps:

• Cube meat ad brown a few pieces at a time. Remove meat and add onions and garlic. Cook slowly for 5 mins, stirring. Dust in the flour and spices and continue cooking 3-4 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and stock away from heat. Blen till smooth. Return to stove and bring to the boil stirring. Add meat and cook in slow oven mk 2 for 3 hours. Pilaf rice cooked in chicken stock with onion - add currants and pistachios.

ARMENIAN LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Add the seasoning to the lamb and mix thoroughly. Make a small patty and cook on the stove to test the mix before proceeding.
• Divide the meat into 6 even portions and shape each by rolling between your hands.
• Cook on a hot grill ( charcoal rather than gas if you can ). Turning frequently with tongs. Serve well done.
• Grill some veggies like tomatoes squash and bell pepper if you want.
• Serve on flat bread. Place each burger on a piece of bread and add onion and parsley.

ARMENIAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Brown off lamb in olive oil and add onions, bell pepper and garlic and saute until onions are translucent. Add all other ingredients EXCEPT potatoes, carrots and celery and simmer for 1 hour. Add the vegetables and simmer another 1/2 hour. * For a thicker soup add a little flour, cornstarch, or instant mashed potato flakes.