DENVER — Love was in the air this February as home cooks nationwide submitted
their surefire “Recipes for Romance” to the American Lamb Board in honor of Lamb
Lovers Month. Among the recipes to woo loved ones, Felice Bogus of Raleigh, NC,
stood out with her Spice-Kissed Mediterranean Lamb Chops.
With sweet and savory notes, Bogus knows that lamb is for lovers and share her
recommendation for “lamb and love, truly the most perfect of pairings.” Setting
the stage for romance Bogus notes that “there is little in the kitchen more
romantic than preparing and serving a rack of lamb with your honey Rosy, pink
lamb, whether paired with a rich risotto or toothsome Israeli couscous, begs for
a perfect Pinot Noir or an intense Syrah.”
As the winner of this year’s contest, Bogus will receive the ultimate lamb
lovers care package filled with lambtastic finds including two racks of American
lamb, lamb rub, lamb-shaped cutting board, “Lamb is for lovers” apron and more.
Spice-Kissed Mediterranean Lamb Chops
Serves 4
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. + 1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 rack American lamb, separated into chops (about 2 lb.)
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 cup Zinfandel
1/3 cup unsalted pistachios, finely chopped
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Boil pomegranate juice, apricots, and garlic, stirring often, until juice
is reduce to c., about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve. - Heat 1 tsp. olive oil in an ovenproof skillet and cook chops until browned
on each side, about 2 minutes per side. - In a small bowl mix together 1 Tbs. olive oil, cardamom, smoked paprika,
and pepper. Rub paste into both sides of lamb chops, return to pan, place in
the oven, and bake about 10 -12 minutes. - Remove chops from pan and let rest while preparing sauce.
- Return pan to stovetop over medium heat. Add wine to pan and stir to
deglaze. Let wine reduce to a glaze, about 2 -3 minutes. Whisk in reserved
pomegranate mixture and any meat juices that have accumulated on the plate. - To serve, place chops on plate with bones crossed. Drizzle around with
sauce and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
For more information about the American Lamb Board please visit http://americanlamb.com.
You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter, @FANofLAMB, to keep up to date on news
and events.
About the American Lamb Board
The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity
board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including
producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by
the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the
freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American
Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the board’s programs are supported and implemented by the staff
in Denver, Colorado.
For more information about the American Lamb Board, please contact Marliese
Engel Traver (mtraver@baltzco.com) at Baltz & Company — 212-982-8300 ext. 112
Source:
American Lamb Board