Moroccan Spiced Lamb Chops with Harissa

Yield Serves 4
RECIPE Ingredients
  • 1 Rack of Lamb
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Pinch ground cloves
  • Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

 

Recipe notes
Our Moroccan-style lamb chop recipe uses a flavorful spice rub and a generous drizzle of spicy harissa. A thermometer is best to gauge doneness.
RECIPE Preparation
  1. Remove the lamb from fridge about an hour before you plan on cooking. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. To a small bowl add salt, paprika, sugar, cumin, ginger, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne, and cloves; mix well.
  3. Brush the lamb loin lightly with olive oil then season all over with the spice rub. You’ll use up the entire spice mixture coating the whole rack.
  4. Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb, fat side down, for about 2-3 minutes, then turn and brown on the other side. Move the skillet to the oven and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of rack registers 125 degrees F for medium-rare, about 15 minutes. Remove rack to a cutting board and rest for 10 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl stir together harissa paste and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  6. Cut the rack between the rib bones into chops. Place chops on a serving platter and drizzle with the harissa/oil mixture and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.