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Rack of Lamb with Dates & Moroccan Spices
I decided to continue on the theme of working with dates and create a date puree to act as a thick sauce, much like a BBQ sauce would be added to meat on the grill, although I’ve made this rack of lamb on the stove top. I like it for an intimate Iftar dinner for 2-4, served with rice, couscous or pappardelle pasta.
The spices I used are typically Moroccan (i.e. cumin, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, etc.) just because that’s what I’ve been craving, but you could swap out some of your own that you think would go well with the deep and sweet flavor and creamy thick texture of Medjool Dates.
If you’re not sure where to find Natural Dates (I always find them at MoveHalal).
Rack of Lamb with Dates & Moroccan Spices
You don’t have to dine at a fancy restaurant to have a great rack of lamb dinner because it’s not difficult to make nor does it take too much time to prepare. Choose a meaty rack of lamb to get the most bang for your buck, follow the techniques in the recipe and substitute with your own favorite spices, should you prefer a slightly different flavor.
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup Date puree (alternatively, 1 cup pitted and chopped Dates)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ¼ pound rack of lamb
- 2 tablespoons onion, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
- A pinch of saffron in 1 cup water
- Ingredients for the Date Puree (optional)
- 25 Dates
Instructions
- If preparing your own date puree, do this ahead of time as it must go into the pan as the lamb is searing in a pan over the stove top.
- To make your own date puree, remove the pit from the dates and add them to a pan of boiling water that covers the dates completely. Let boil on medium-high heat for 40 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and you see only about 1-2 tablespoons of liquid at the bottom of the pan. Use a food mill to completely grind the skins into the mixture. Set aside or chill until ready to use. Lasts about 7-10 days in the refrigerator.
- To prepare the lamb, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Make sure the lamb is completely dry of any liquids before cooking. Gently heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe sauté pan. Add the rack of lamb, fat side down and increase the heat to medium-high. Sear the meat on one side until it has browned, about 3-4 minutes. Turn the meat over and repeat. Once it has browned on the other side, add the onion, ginger and garlic to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to move the ingredients around so they don’t burn. Add the salt and spices to the pan, too. To a cup of warm water, add the saffron. The water should quickly turn to a golden yellow color. Add this liquid with the saffron threads to the pan.
- Give the pan a whirl to make sure all the ingredients are evenly spread out. Cover and place the pan in the heated oven. Roast for 40 minutes, removing the cover for the last 5-7 minutes. Once finished, remove the pan from the heat and cover again for 10 minutes before cutting so that it retains all of its juices. To serve, cut each piece vertically from each of the bones in the rack.
