Allspice, cinnamon and a touch of cayenne pepper add a sweet and spicy flavor to loin lamb chops. This is a quick dish for a weekday meal or a special occasion.
Loin lamb chops are used here, but rib chops or lamb steaks cut from the leg can be used. The latter is a slice of lamb that is cut through the leg to make a steak about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick with a round slice of bone in the center. It is sometimes displayed in the meat case or you can ask the butcher to cut it for you.
Helpful hints:
• Orzo or other small pasta can be used instead of the couscous. It will need to be boiled for about 8 or 9 minutes.
Countdown:
• Make couscous.
• Make lamb.
Shopping list:
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for tonight’s Dinner in Minutes.
To buy: 2 7-ounce loin lamb chops, 1 small box whole grain couscous, 1 onion, 1 medium tomato, 1 small package fresh mint, 1 small bottle ground allspice and 1 can olive oil spray.
Staples: ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, olive oil, salt and black peppercorns.
Spiced Lamb Chops
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
2 7-ounce loin lamb chops
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Olive oil spray
Remove visible fat from lamb. Mix allspice, cinnamon and cayenne pepper together. Spread mixture on both sides of chops. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add the chops and brown 2 minutes, turn chops over and brown 2 minutes. Lower heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook 5 minutes. A meat thermometer should read 125 degrees for rare, 145 degrees for medium. Makes 2 servings.
Per serving: 270 calories (41 percent from fat) 12.4 g fat (3.8 g saturated, 5.4 g monounsaturated), 114 mg cholesterol, 35.7 g protein, 2.4 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 115 mg sodium.
Tomato Mint Couscous
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
1 cup water
1/2 cup precooked whole-grain couscous
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 medium tomato, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, torn into small pieces
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bring water to a boil and stir in couscous and onion. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit 5 minutes. Add tomato, mint, oil and salt and pepper to taste. Fluff with a fork and cover until needed. Makes 2 servings.
Per serving: 243 calories (19 percent from fat) 5 g fat (0.8 g saturated, 2.2 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 7 g protein, 42.6 g carbohydrates, 4.5 g fiber, 12 mg sodium.
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