Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice blend that often includes black pepper and cumin in addition to other spices. This version leans Turkish with the addition of dried mint which is common.
| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 1 hr 10 min |
| Active: | 50 min |
| Yield: | 2 servings |
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
- 1 cup pistachios, toasted and pulsed in a food processor until fine
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil, for cooking
- 1 rack of lamb, frenched
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 clove garlic, smashed
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- 1/2 cup veal demi-glace
- 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup pitted chopped dates (4 to 5 dates)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup chervil leaves, chopped
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 sprigs tarragon, stem removed and leaves chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound baby rainbow carrots, ends neatly trimmed
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- For the lamb: Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and add to a bowl with the pistachios and panko. Mix thoroughly to combine and set aside.
- Heat a large cast-iron pan with some canola oil. Sprinkle the lamb liberally with salt and pepper on all sides. Sear the lamb, fat side down, until a crust forms and it begins to turn golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the lamb and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lamb and place onto a sheet tray lined with a rack. Spread the mustard evenly over the top and sides of the rack of lamb. Pat the pistachio crust mixture onto the lamb, pressing down to ensure it’s nicely adhered.
- Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing into double chops. Season the lamb chops with a sprinkle of salt.
- Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat with some canola oil. Add the thyme, bay leaf, shallot and black peppercorns and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot begins to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine has almost completely reduced, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the veal demi and bring back up to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, another 5 minutes or so. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a saute pan. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Add the pomegranate molasses and continue to reduce the sauce until it’s thickened, another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the red wine vinegar and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon (1 1/2 teaspoons) butter.
- For the couscous: Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat with the vegetable stock, dates, butter, cinnamon and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then whisk in the couscous. Turn off the heat and cover. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with more salt if necessary. Fold in the chervil, parsley and tarragon.
- For the carrots: To make the baharat spice, add the dried mint, cardamom, clove, coriander, cumin, nutmeg and pepper to a small bowl. Mix together to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Spread the carrots onto a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the homemade baharat spice mix. Transfer into the oven and roast until the carrots are lightly charred and tender, about 20 minutes.
- Serve the lamb and sauce alongside the roasted baby carrots and couscous.
Reviews
The flavors in this dish are amazing. Sweet, earthy, spicy–would definitely make this again.