Garam Masala Lamb Chops with Apricot Couscous
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/garam_masala_lamb_chops_with_apricot_couscous.html
From EatingWell: The EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook (2006)Visit an Indian market to find various blends of garam masala, a popular spice mix. You'll also find it in the specialty-spice section at the supermarket or at Indian markets on the Web like www.kalustyans.com.
4 servings | Active Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 rack of lamb, exterior fat trimmed
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat couscous, (see Ingredient note)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh apricots
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted if desired
- 1/4 cup sliced fresh mint
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 450F. Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Mix garam masala, 1 teaspoon oil, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub into lamb. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large, ovenproof, nonstick skillet over high heat. Cook the lamb, skin-side down, until browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn it over and transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast the lamb until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 145F for medium-rare, 6 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing into chops.
- Meanwhile, stir couscous, apricots and raisins into the boiling water. Return to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in pine nuts, mint, lemon juice and the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Serve the couscous with the lamb.
Nutrition
Per serving : 435 Calories; 15 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 7 g Mono; 62 mg Cholesterol; 6 g Carbohydrates; 27 g Protein; 7 g Fiber; 530 mg Sodium; 497 mg Potassium
3 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fruit, 3 lean meat, 1 fat
Tips & Notes
- Ingredient Note: Couscous resembles a grain, but these granules of semolina meal are actually a type of pasta. A staple throughout North Africa, it is traditionally steamed over broth but is now available in a precooked form that only requires 5 minutes of soaking in hot broth or water. Whole-wheat couscous can be found in natural-foods stores and large supermarkets.