Economical Baked Lamb With Rice Recipes

Steps:

• If using dried chickpeas: Put soaked chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 45 minutes to an hour, until tender. Top up with water as necessary to keep chickpeas covered. (If using pre-cooked or canned chickpeas, skip this step.)
• Season lamb pieces generously with salt and pepper. In a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches over high heat, brown the lamb pieces on both sides, removing them to a plate as they are cooked. (Don't crowd the pan or they won't brown nicely.)
• When all the lamb is browned and the pot is empty, reduce heat to medium high. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add raisins, pomegranate molasses (if using), cumin, coriander, allspice, mace, and cinnamon and stir to coat. Return lamb to the pot, along with any juices.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• If using canned chickpeas, drain well. If using cooked chickpeas, drain and reserve the cooking liquid. Add drained chickpeas and rice to onion mixture and stir together. Turn heat to high and add 2 cups chickpea cooking liquid (or 2 cups water or broth, if using canned chickpeas). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover tightly. Bake about 1 hour, until lamb is tender when probed with a fork and rice is cooked through. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, or up to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it foams. Add walnuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Salt lightly and set aside. Fluff the lamb and rice gently, lifting up from the bottom. Serve directly from pot or transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, mint and crushed red pepper. Pass a bowl of yogurt at the table.

Steps:

• First cut up the meat into chunks and boil it for 5 minutes in a large saucepan with just enough water to cover it. (This is necessary for Greek lamb which is quite heavy, it probably wouldn't be needed for Aussie or Kiwi lamb).
• Throw out the water, rinse the meat and refill the large saucepan with water.
• Add the peeled onion, carrot, celery stalk and parsley stalks whole.
• Add stock cube and salt and pepper to taste.
• Boil until the meat is very tender. (I use my pressure cooker for 30 minutes).
• Spread out the rice evenly in a very large shallow baking pan.
• Place the meat evenly over the rice and then ladle in the stock until it is completely covered, discarding the carrot, onion, parsley and celery.
• Taste the stock and correct the seasonings keeping in mind that the stock will provide the salt needed.
• You may dot the rice with butter if you like.
• Bake at 180 degrees for about 50 minutes.
• Note: the cups of stock are approximations only as it depends on the size of your pan, make sure you have covered your rice completely and keep some stock aside to add if it dries out.

Steps:

• Put the rice in a pan with water to generously cover, and add the stock cube or powder. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-12 mins, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
• Heat the grill and season the steaks or chops. Grill for 3-4 mins on each side until cooked to your liking.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry gently for 5 mins until lightly coloured. Add the garlic and pine nuts, then fry until the nuts are lightly toasted. Stir in the spices, then add the apricots and rice and mix well, heating everything through. Stir through the parsley or coriander and serve with the steaks or chops, adding the lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Steps:

• In a large, nonstick skillet, brown the ground lamb with onion and garlic.
• When lamb is no longer pink, tip pan and with spoon remove any accumulated fat.
• Stir in tomato puree, water, cinnamon and oregano.
• Sprinkle with pepper; bring just to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 10-15 minutes.
• Add more water if it seems too thick.
• To serve, mound rice on serving plates and top with lamb mixture.
• To freeze: Combine lamb and rice and put into freezer container.