Isn’t summer supposed to be the season of leisure? In my case it is quite the opposite! When I announced the “Grill It!” event this month, I had big plans. There were dreams of grilling at least twice a week. There were plans to grill everything – fruits, meat, seafood, vegetables, pizza – you name it! Even a jalapeno corn bread from one of my Grilling books was going to be tried out. It turns out that I was getting way ahead of myself as usual. Half a month is already gone by since the announcement, with hardly any grilling. But it is better late than never, right? I got a good start on Sunday and I am definitely going to try and continue this Grill fest. It is doubtful that I will ever get to that corn bread, but I sure am going to try.

I’ve had my eye on the cast-iron Le Creuset Reversible Grill & Griddle for a while. Spending $150 on a stovetop grill when all we need to do for grilling is to take an elevator up to the terrace was not justifiable. That is when I saw this cute little Cast Iron Single Burner Reversible Grill/Griddle by Emerilware at Williams-Sonoma on sale for $19.99! Now that is a deal you can’t pass up, right? I am absolutely in love with this grill! We grilled lamb chops on it, 6 chops fit perfectly on this small grill. We have a Calphalon non-stick grill pan, which we’ve been using for indoor grilling, but apart from the grill marks on the food, it really is just a glorified sauté pan. But this one is just awesome! Lamb chops turned out perfectly grilled, charred outside and perfectly juicy and moist inside.

To go with these lamb chops I made Harissa for the first time! From Wikipedia:

Harissa is a North African hot red sauce or paste made from chili peppers (often smoked or dried) and garlic, often with coriander and caraway or cumin and served with olive oil. It may also contain tomatoes. It somewhat resembles sambal and chili sauce. Harissa is used both as a condiment and as an ingredient in recipes. It has been described as an important item in Tunisian cuisine[1]. Harissa is also used in a few recipes of other North African cuisines, namely Morocco, Algeria and Libya [2], though it is often treated as a condiment to be served on the side. In France, couscous is generally served with Harissa sauce.

Ever since I saw the cutie pie chef Tyler Florence making Harissa on TV, I’ve been dying to try this out. I followed Tyler’s recipe pretty much exactly, halving the ingredients, but I used a very hot Habanero pepper instead of the 1 small red chili suggested in the recipe. So my harissa was very spicy. I am sure Tyler couldn’t handle that much heat. Also, I thought the spices (cumin + coriander + caraway) were a little too overpowering, so I’ve reduced the amount of spices in the recipe below.

To complete the meal, I made an arugula salad with grilled peaches. The slightly caramelized peaches went so well with the bitter arugula greens and the spicy Harissa. Harissa sauce did double duty, acting as the main ingredient in the salad dressing as well, of course I it had to be toned down with some honey and balsamic vinegar and some mint syrup for the salad dressing. Altogether, this was a true gourmet dinner, if I must say so myself!

Harissa

Original recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tylers-ultimate/pan-fried-lamb-chops-with-harissa-recipe/index.html  

Ingredients

Method

Roast the bell pepper on open flame on the stove till the skin is completely charred. Place it in a bowl and cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Scrape charred skin off the pepper and cut into thin strips.

Place the cumin, coriander and caraway in a small skillet and toast over low heat until fragrant. Then grind to a powder in a spice grinder. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse to puree.

Grilled Peaches and Baby Arugula Salad

Ingredients

Method

Brush some olive oil on the peach slices and grill on a pre-heated grill for about 2 minutes per side. Place it in an angle, so that you get the beautiful grill marks on the flesh.

Prepare the dressing by placing all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisking well to combine.

Just before serving, toss the arugula with the dressing and serve topped with the grilled fruit and toasted pine nuts.

Lamb Chops

Ingredients

Method

Place the cilantro, garlic, peppercorns and salt in a mortar and pound to a coarse paste with the pestle. Place the lamb chops in a Ziploc bag, add this paste and the olive oil and mix well to make sure the lamb chops are covered with the marinade. Marinate for at least an hour or overnight in the refrigerator.

Heat the grill and grill for about 8 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium. Remove from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Serve with the arugula salad and harissa sauce on the side.

Burrrrp… I am full, how about you?



Comments

33 Responses to “Grilled Lamb Chops with Harissa and Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad”

  1. nags on August 5th, 2008 2:45 am

    love the last pic :) looks like you are grilling away to glory :)

    Thanks N… and grilling away to glory, that is the plan, let’s see… :)

  2. Mythili on August 5th, 2008 3:29 am

    Wow! Sweet Jesus! I almost became a non-vegetarian there!

    Awesome creation, Sig.

    :drool:

    lol, thanks girlie… :)

  3. Raaga on August 5th, 2008 4:45 am

    Since I am seeing this just after lunch, I’m full too. I ate a garden veggies sub with potato wedges :-)

    Sachin must take a look at your blog now…chops and that too lamb… he’ll go crazy :-)

    :) ask him to grill some lamb chops, and you can send that to me as your entry, what do you say?

  4. sra on August 5th, 2008 5:55 am

    The stories of all the implements I’ve bought carried away by the romance of gourmet food … sigh! Now they’re all stored away, in various suitcases, in the storeroom … :sealed:
    As usual, your food looks good, Sig!

    :) I know what you mean!!!! I used to be an impulse buyer of kitchen stuff (and everything else), but after we moved out of a house and into the condo,I’ve been really watching what I buy… no space to store away :)

  5. Gini on August 5th, 2008 6:26 am

    Lovely! Looks gourmet to me. Pictures are great especially the one with lamb chops on the grill.

    Thanks Gini! I still remember your rack of lamb… i gotta try it soon!

  6. indosungod on August 5th, 2008 8:19 am

    Looks like you grilled up a storm :) If I were to make grilled lamb chops DH would be willing to do whatever I ask him to. That grilling pan is indeed a bargain ;)

    The lamb chops make me drool though I am not a big fan.

    :) it does look like a lot, right? I got tired writing it up, but it wasn’t that much food or that much work… :) You don’t like lamb chops???? You haven’t had the right one I’d say ;) It is my favorite meat preparation! :)

  7. Sukanya on August 5th, 2008 9:34 am

    Hi….
    Grilled lamb looks like real summer. Nice info abt Harissa. Great recipe. The pictures are so tempting.

    Thanks Sukanya! :)

  8. Divya Vikram on August 5th, 2008 9:39 am

    Mouthwatering! :(Yes):

    Thanks Divya! :)

  9. Swati Jain:Sugarcraft India on August 5th, 2008 9:50 am

    Lovely pics Sig..You’ve gotten all of us drooling!!!

    Thanks Swati! :)

  10. Rajitha on August 5th, 2008 10:40 am

    the pic looks gorgeous!!…and tyler florence is cuute…esp. when he is flirting oh! so shamelessly ;)…

    Thanks girlie… oh yeah, he is sooo darn cute! I haven’t seen many of his shows though… Flirting? Which show is that? Gotta DVR that one ;)

  11. shilpa on August 5th, 2008 10:44 am

    Ever since u announced the event, I am keeping my eyes open for a grill pan Sig. I don’t know how much I will use it, but I want one :). Since we are in the middle of too many things now, V promised me to buy one once things come back to normal….And you are not helping me by posting about this grill pan :D. Uhhh…I want grill pan :cry:

    Grill pan is a must have Shilpa… :) This one is the right size for 2 people, if you are planning to use it when you have guests over, you will be better off investing in a double burner one… This was an amazing bargain though, I couldn’t find it in the Williams-Sonoma web site unfortunately!

  12. rachel on August 5th, 2008 12:16 pm

    This is sheer torture!!!! :drool:

    :) Glad you liked it Rachel!

  13. richa on August 5th, 2008 4:12 pm

    oh my! what fantastic pictures, girl! Am all for the grilled peaches :drool:
    hope u get to the corn bread as well :wink:

    Thanks sweetie… I knew you will love the grilled peaches… apricots will be great too ;)
    And yeah, I really want to make that corn bread, let’s see… :)

  14. Meeta on August 5th, 2008 4:26 pm

    So when the hec will you be inviting me for a meal like this. You cannot imagine how I am drooling!

    You have an open invitation darling! :)

  15. usha on August 5th, 2008 5:11 pm

    mouth watering and i am hungry……. :roll:

    Thanks Usha! :)

  16. Jeena on August 5th, 2008 6:51 pm

    Those lamb chops look just amazing and the peach salad sounds terrific, what a great combination yummy. :razz:

    Thanks Jeena! I love sweet stuff with lamb, and the grilled peach went perfectly!

  17. Mamatha on August 5th, 2008 7:00 pm

    :drool: ‘nuf said.

    :) thanks Mamatha!

  18. tbc on August 5th, 2008 7:28 pm

    I have been planning to make Harissa from a Madhur Jaffrey cookbook for ages now. :???:
    The salad sounds wonderful, Sig! :drool:

    My first time with harissa, I gotta try some more recipes to figure out a favorite one :) Good to see you TBC, glad you got some time to blog hop in between that blogathon you got going! :)

  19. Srivalli on August 6th, 2008 2:30 am

    awwww..thats too much in one post.. :cool: …and I must say they all look so tempting!!!!.. :drool:

    :) thanks girl….

  20. Kaykat on August 6th, 2008 3:51 am

    Ok, lamb chops don’t excite me, but that harissa definitely does! You’re hooked on Tyler too, huh? :D

    P.S. - those are great pictures, are you using your camera accessories now? :)

    :) thanks…. I am not using camera accessories, they are still in their box… Just imagine how cool my pics will be after I start using those :nerd:

  21. Laavanya on August 6th, 2008 9:37 am

    The pics look great Sig. I’ve heard of Harissa - thanks for the recipe. Hope you do get a chance to make the jalapeno corn bread - sounds yummy.

    :) Thanks Laav! And yeah, I really want to make that bread…

  22. Susan from Food Blogga on August 6th, 2008 9:52 am

    Jeff has been asking me when I’m gonna make grilled lamb chops this summer. You’ve totally inspired me, Sig. Those photos are absolutely delicious, and the thought of harissa and arugula and peach salad just makes me happy. BTW-just submitted a grilled avocado and shrimp salad for your Grill It event!

    Can’t wait to see your lamb chops Susan! Yeah, harissa and grilled peaches were made for each other…. Also, thanks for the entry…

  23. Raji on August 6th, 2008 10:26 am

    Hi Sig,
    I need a help. Could you please suggest me a tasty,but not spicy chicken recipe,(not south indian) other than butter chicken. I thought of your ‘Chicken Dilruba’ , i haven’t tried it yet. Is it spicy? This is for some friends who are not Indians. thanks and appreciate your help.(this is a food 911).(lamb chops looks very yummy,nice pics).

    Hi Raji, the Dilruba was not that spicy, and obviously you can tone the spices further down. Most of my chicken recipes are South Indian influenced… Are you looking for a gravy or a dry dish?

  24. rina on August 6th, 2008 10:47 am

    Kool pics. :drool: .Kool food…can’t ask for more…Happy grilling and happy hosting Sig!!! :(Martini): :(Beer): :(Flower):

    :) Thanks Rina!

  25. Farina on August 6th, 2008 11:19 am

    Im drooling here! those look good. you take very nice pics. ;)

    Thanks Farina! :)

  26. gowri on August 6th, 2008 12:27 pm

    Hey sig, this is so lovely. Looks so professional. You are one outstanding cook and writter. Love you……….
    I am on my way to william sonoma… :drool:

    Thanks Gowri! :) Hope the pan is still on sale!

  27. arundati on August 7th, 2008 6:59 am

    awesome pics….had me wondering what made me turn vegetarian in the first place :wink: !! and you arent even usuing the camera accessories?? is that awesome….or you just pulling a fast one :evil: !! fabulous…seriously!!

    :) lol, I swear… now I am seriously blushing… :) thanks sweetie…

  28. Raji on August 7th, 2008 1:42 pm

    Hi Sig,
    Thank you, I was looking for a gravy. I made it today , it was not spicy. I liked it, will update you from the guests later. Also much easier to prepare than butter chicken.
    Todays sardine looks so yummy, its been such a long time since we have had sardines.
    thanks Sigma, always wonderful recipes,writing and pictures, cool blog.
    Raji

    Glad it worked out Raji… hope your guests liked it too…. :)

  29. Padma on August 7th, 2008 10:38 pm

    Lamb chops looks so yummy, love the photos dear

    Thanks padma! :)

  30. GirlCanBake on August 11th, 2008 7:12 pm

    These pictures are absolutely out of control! Looks SO good! This will have to be for dinner sometime soon. Very very soon!

  31. Sathya sankar on August 14th, 2008 7:55 pm

    Hey Sig,

    The dish looks very delicious , pics are awesome.
    can’t wait to try !
    Thanks for visiting my blog. :smile:

  32. Shantanu on August 16th, 2008 7:04 am

    Now this is one dish that I am certain to like! Heard about Harissa for the first time, but sounds nice and spicy. Great pics (as usual!).

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