Best Spiced Lamb Chops With Fennel And Cucumber Recipes

SPICED LAMB CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Using a knife, mortar and pestle or spice grinder, finely chop or coarsely grind fennel seed. (Just grind it enough to break down the whole seeds: You're not looking for a powder.)
• Season lamb with salt, pepper and fennel seed.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place lamb fat-side-down in the skillet and cook until it's a good golden brown, about 2 minutes. (This also renders some of the fat, which you'll sear the meat in.) Using tongs, turn the lamb and cook until it's nicely browned on each side, 1 to 2 minutes per side, which will give you medium-rare meat. Transfer lamb to a cutting board to rest for at least 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss sliced fennel bulb, cucumber and shallot in a medium bowl. Zest and juice 1 lemon and add to the fennel. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve lamb chops whole on a large serving platter, or slice lamb away from the bone or rib about 1/4-inch thick, then transfer to a large serving platter or divide among plates. Cut remaining lemon in half and squeeze over lamb. Scatter with dill or mint and serve alongside fennel salad and cooked grains, if you like.

LAMB CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the fennel and tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread the vegetables on the baking sheet, with the tomatoes cut-side up. Roast until the tomatoes are soft and the fennel is golden, about 30 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Meanwhile, cook the garlic in the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the beans and 2 1/2 cups water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in the oregano and parmesan, if desired.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Season the lamb with salt and pepper and grill until marked on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook until just firm to the touch, 4 to 5 more minutes for medium-rare. Divide the beans among plates and top with the lamb and roasted vegetables.

SPICY STICKY LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Toast the coriander and fennel seeds in small pan over a medium flame, shaking every 30 seconds so they don't burn. Once they've given off a lovely aroma and have turned a darker tone, remove from the hot pan and cool completely on a plate. Then throw them into your spice grinder and grind to a fine powder.
• Mix the spices with the yogurt, tomato paste, ginger, garlic, hot sauce, brown sugar, salt, a healthy few grinds of freshly ground black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and oil. Taste and season according to your palate.
• Cover each chop with the marinade, rubbing it into the meat and fat. You can marinate overnight, a few hours, or just 30 minutes. I've done all three and it tastes great every way.
• Bake the chops in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish until the lamb is cooked to medium-rare, or to your liking, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest, tented with foil, for about 5 minutes before serving.

GRILLED SPICED LAMB CHOPS WITH CUCUMBER-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush lamb on all sides with curry paste. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium heat 1 minute. Place seeds in resealable plastic bag; coarsely crush with rolling pin. Mix cumin, yogurt, cucumber, and mint in small bowl.
• Grill or broil lamb chops until charred outside and pink inside, about 3 minutes per side. Serve with cucumber-mint sauce on the side.

SPICED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in small skillet. Stir over medium heat until spices are aromatic and slightly darker in color, about 3 minutes. Transfer spices to bowl and cool. Grind spices to coarse powder in spice mill. Combine spices, yogurt, and ginger in 11 x 7 x 2- inch glass baking dish. Add lamb chops and turn to coat with mixture. Let marinate 30 minutes.
• Preheat broiler. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange chops on baking sheet. Broil lamb to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer 2 lamb chops to each of 4 plates. Spoon drained Pickled Red Onions alongside each; garnish with mint sprigs.

SPICY LAMB CHOPS WITH TOMATO-CUCUMBER RAITA

Steps:

• Combine yogurt, cucumber, tomato, mint, mayonnaise, lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt and minced garlic in a medium bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Combine curry powder, sugar, cumin, 1 tsp salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
• Generously press the spice rub over both sides of the lamb chops.
• Grill, or pan grill chops over medium-hot heat for 2-3 minutes per side for medium rare.
• Serve with the cucumber-tomato raita.