Best Grilled Lamb Loin With Tomato And Cucumber Raita And Israeli Couscous Recipes

GRILLED LAMB LOINS

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking, or build a fire and burn down wood until only red coals and gray ash remain.
• Score fat caps on lamb in 1/2-inch intervals with a sharp knife, cutting entirely through fat but not into flesh. Repeat in opposite direction to create a crosshatch pattern. Pound coriander and cumin seeds in a mortar and pestle just to crush (do not grind to a powder). Add cinnamon, thyme and rosemary leaves, oil, 4 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper, pounding and stirring just until combined. Rub spice mixture evenly over lamb. Let stand at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours, or wrap in plastic and refrigerate up to 1 day, returning to room temperature 1 hour before grilling.
• Preheat a large cast-iron skillet on grill, or place directly on hot coals. Place loins in skillet, fat-sides down; scatter rosemary sprigs around them. Cook, undisturbed, until some of fat is rendered and lamb is browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until a thermometer inserted into thickest parts of meat registers 125 degrees to 130 degrees for medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

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.

GRILLED LAMB LOIN WITH TOMATO AND CUCUMBER RAITA AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Strip leaves from stems of rosemary and thyme, then chop coarsely. Smash garlic cloves, then chop coarsely. Pulse herbs, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon oil in a food processor until smooth. Place lamb in a 13" x 9" glass baking dish; rub with garlic mixture; cover; refrigerate 1 hour. Remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Cook couscous as directed on package; transfer to a bowl. Toss with 2 teaspoon oil, cherry tomatoes and basil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Make raita: Heat oven to 375°F. Toss tomato slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and spread on a baking sheet; roast until tomatoes brown in spots, about 30 minutes. Grind cumin seeds to a fine powder in a coffee grinder or spice mill. Puree roasted tomato in a blender with cumin, yogurt, cucumber and sugar until smooth. Stir in mint. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate until ready to eat. Heat grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). Grill lamb, about 2 minutes per side for medium. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes; cut into 1-inch-thick slices. Divide couscous and lamb among 4 plates. Serve with 1 tablespoon raita per plate.