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 Spice- Scented Lamb Chops with Onion-Tomato Compote

 

Terrific with a side of couscous...
 

1 tsp 

 

ground cumin

 

½ tsp 

 

ground cinnamon

 

¼ tsp 

 

fresh ground pepper

 

1 t. + 1 T. olive 

 

oil

 

4 loin 

 

lamb chops (about 1¼ lbs.)

 

1 medium 

 

yellow onions

 

1 to 2 cloves 

 

garlic

 

 

 

salt to taste

 

3 canned 

 

plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped

 

½ tsp 

 

sweet paprika

 

¼ tsp 

 

ground ginger

 

1/8 tsp 

 

cayenne pepper

 

1 tsp 

 

honey

 

 

 

cilantro for garnish, if desired

 

 

1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2

Combine cumin, cinnamon and black pepper with 1 t. of olive oil. Rub this paste on the lamb chops and let them stand at room temperature while you thinly slice the onion and finely chop the garlic.

3

In an ovenproof, heavy based medium skillet, heat remaining 1 T. olive oil over medium high heat. Sprinkle a little salt on the lamb chops and put the chops in the pan; give the pan a brisk shake. Sear the chops until one side is a deep reddish brown (takes a few minutes). Turn the lamb over and sear the other side. Remove the lamb from the pan and reserve; don't wipe out the pan.

4

Add onion and garlic to the pan and cook, scraping to dislodge any lamb drippings, until the onion is soft, 8-10 minutes. Add tomatoes, paprika, ginger, cayenne, and honey, stirring to combine. Nestle chops back into pan and put the pan in the oven. Remove the pan from the oven when the internal temperature of the lamb chops reaches 120°-125° on an instant read thermometer (for medium rare), 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chops.

5

Divide the chops between two plates. The tomato compote should be quite thick; if it's watery, cook it a minute or two more over high heat. Spoon compote over chops. Sprinkle with cilantro, if you like, and serve.

 

Servings: 2

 

 Cooking Tips

*If you're a fan of turmeric, 1 teaspoon added to the spices give it a deeper flavor and a nice golden touch.

 

 Recipe Source

Fine Cooking, January 1999

 

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