Spiced Lamb Pilaf Recipes

Steps:

• Pull flaps off the racks of lamb and dice. Add the diced lamb to a saucepan and cook on low. Trim the bones, then add the trimmings to the pan. Add the sliced onion and garlic. Cook until the trimmings turn deep brown, then pour off the fat and add the Chardonnay.
• Reduce the liquid down to a glaze, then add 1/2 cup water. Cook for 1 hour, then strain and add 2 tablespoons butter.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place breadcrumbs on a cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes.
• Mix the arugula, basil, parsley and tarragon with the melted butter and breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the racks of lamb thoroughly with the Espelette pepper and sea salt, then coat the racks with seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
• Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
• Place the racks of lamb in a large casserole dish. Roast for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Let the lamb rest for about 20 minutes. Strain the pan drippings and whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Reheat the sauce and slice the racks. Gently sauce the lamb and serve with Arborio Rice Pilaf.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to an oven-safe saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the rice. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then add the lamb jus, saffron and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for about 18 minutes. Remove and let rest 10 minutes.
• Stir in the chives and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Place basmati rice in a large bowl and cover with warm water. Set aside. Wash heads of garlic. Set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in a dutch oven or large skillet over high heat until smoking, then add lamb, turning occasionally until the lamb is evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the onions; cook and stir until the onion has softened and browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the carrots; cook and stir until the carrots have softened, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cumin, coriander, barberries, and peppercorns. Drop whole garlic heads into the mixture, stirring to evenly distribute ingredients. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
• Wash and drain basmati rice with hot water. Pour cleaned rice over the lamb mixture in an even layer. Slowly pour in the boiling water. The rice should be covered with about 3/4 inch of water. Do not stir. Season with salt, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Stir rice and lamb together, and serve with the garlic heads on top.

Steps:

• If using dried chickpeas: Put soaked chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes to an hour, until tender. Top up with water as necessary to keep chickpeas covered. (If using pre-cooked or canned chickpeas, skip this step.)
• Season lamb pieces generously with salt and pepper. In a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches over high heat, brown the lamb pieces on both sides, removing them to a plate as they are cooked. (Don't crowd the pan or they won't brown nicely.)
• When all the lamb is browned and the pot is empty, reduce heat to medium high. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add raisins, pomegranate molasses (if using), cumin, coriander, allspice, mace, and cinnamon and stir to coat. Return lamb to the pot, along with any juices.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• If using canned chickpeas, drain well. If using cooked chickpeas, drain and reserve the cooking liquid. Add drained chickpeas and rice to onion mixture and stir together. Turn heat to high and add 2 cups chickpea cooking liquid (or 2 cups water or broth, if using canned chickpeas). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover tightly. Bake about 1 hour, until lamb is tender when probed with a fork and rice is cooked through. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, or up to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it foams. Add walnuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Salt lightly and set aside. Fluff the lamb and rice gently, lifting up from the bottom. Serve directly from pot or transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, mint and crushed red pepper. Pass a bowl of yogurt at the table.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and cook the onion for 3-5 mins until soft. Add the lamb and stir-fry for 5-7 mins until brown.
• Stir in the rice, curry paste, stock and coconut milk. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer very gently for 10-12 mins until the rice is tender and the liquid has mostly been absorbed. Stir in the peas, cook for 2 mins more, then squeeze over the lemon, sprinkle over the coriander and serve.

Steps:

• Mix the lamb with half the garlic and 1 tsp of the cumin, then season and shape into about 16 balls - it's easier if you wet your hands. Heat a large frying pan (with a lid for later), then fry the meatballs for about 8 mins until golden and cooked through. Remove from the pan, set aside, then tip in the rice, final tsp of cumin and remaining garlic. Fry for 30 secs, stirring, then pour in enough stock to cover. Cover and simmer for 10 mins or until almost all of the liquid is absorbed.
• Stir in the peas, return the meatballs to the pan, then warm through for a few mins until the peas are tender. Meanwhile mix the cucumber, yogurt and half the mint together, then season. To finish the pilaf, stir in the lemon zest and juice with some seasoning and the remaining mint. Serve with a good dollop of the cooling cucumber yogurt.