Best 5 Armenian Lamb Recipes

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**Armenian Lamb: A Journey Through Culinary Delights**

Armenian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors, and lamb is one of its most celebrated ingredients. This article takes you on a culinary journey through three distinct Armenian lamb recipes that showcase the diversity and richness of this ancient cuisine. From the aromatic Lamb Pilaf to the tender and succulent Lamb Chops, and the hearty Lamb Stew, each recipe offers a unique taste experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure you create delicious and authentic Armenian lamb dishes that will tantalize your taste buds.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ARMENIAN LAMB AND GRILLED VEGETABLES



Armenian Lamb and Grilled Vegetables image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 Japanese eggplants (about 8 inches long), ends trimmed and each cut into 6 round slices
2 small zucchini, ends trimmed and each cut into 6 round slices
2 red onions, cut into about 6 wedges from top to root end
12 large cherry tomatoes
Olive oil, for drizzling
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon zaatar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 lamb loin chops, at room temperature
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, preferably chardonnay
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red serrano chile, seeded and finely diced
1 shallot, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • For the lamb and vegetables: Thread the eggplant slices onto 2 parallel skewers, piercing through the skin to stabilize the slices flat. Thread the zucchini slices the same way on 2 more skewers. Thread the onion slices the same way, piercing through the widest part of the slices. Finally, thread the tomatoes the same way, piercing though their equators with the stem sides facing up.
  • Place skewers on a sheet tray and drizzle and season all sides with olive oil, 1 teaspoon zaatar, salt and pepper.
  • Drizzle both sides of each lamb chop with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and remaining tablespoon zaatar.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan for cooking over medium-high heat and heat a wide, heavy-bottomed braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Sear the lamb chops in the braiser for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted through the center of the meat (avoid bone) reads 135 degrees F. Cover with foil and let rest while you grill the vegetables.
  • Grill the eggplant and zucchini skewers, flipping once, until they have grill marks and are slightly tender, 3 to 5 minutes total. Meanwhile, grill the onion skewers, flipping once, until slightly charred and tender, 7 to 8 minutes total. Grill the tomatoes, flipping once, until they just start to burst and release their juices, 5 to 6 minutes total.
  • For Herb Sauce: Stir together the olive oil, vinegar, dill, mint, parsley, garlic, serrano and shallot in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Remove the vegetables from the skewers to a serving platter or bowl. Place the lamb chops on a second platter and drizzle with the herb sauce and any juice left behind in the pan.

ARMENIAN PUMPKIN AND LAMB STEW



Armenian Pumpkin and Lamb Stew image

Adapted from a recipe in good old Yahoo groups. It originally called for the stew to be served in a roasted pumpkin - since this made serving pumpkin problematic (we like to eat pumpkin in our house) I adapted the recipe. Try to use a cooking pumpkin - I love the Long Island Cheese pumpkins for cooking because they have a thick, less watery, non stringy meat than field pumpkins. Winter squash, like candy roasters or acorn or Hubbards work well too.

Provided by Busters friend

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 3h25m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

3 lbs pumpkin, roasted, peeled & cut into chunks
1/2 teaspoon coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon cardamom seed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 clove
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 lbs lamb, cubed, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 onion, peeled and minced
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 celery root, peeled and chopped
4 large red ripe tomatoes, peeled, cored and seeded
2 quarts chicken broth or 2 quarts beef broth
1 cup basmati rice, uncooked
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cup coriander leaves, minced
3/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced

Steps:

  • Cut the pumpkin into 2 to 3 inch chunks, leaving skin on. Brush with oil & roast at 400 degrees F skin side up about 30 minutes until softened & browned. Remove from oven & set aside to cool.
  • Combine coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and clove in a spice mill
  • or coffee grinder. Grind until smooth. Set aside. Head a tblsp of oil
  • in large, heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the lamb in one layer. Sprinkle with
  • the spice mixture. Seer over medium heat until lightly browned, about 3-5
  • minutes. Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside.
  • Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Saute, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, celery root, tomatoes, and acorn squash. Add the broth. Return lamb to the pan. Partly cover and gently simmer until the lamb is tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • While the stew is simmering, peel the skin from the roasted pumpkin & add to the stew in the last 1/2 hour of cooking.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the rice according to package directions, set aside.
  • Divide the rice among warmed bowls. Ladle the stew over the rice. Garnish with coriander and parsley. Serve immediately.

ARMENIAN STUFFED LEG OF LAMB



Armenian Stuffed Leg of Lamb image

Mint, cinnamon, currants, lemon - the herb-laden, sweet and spicy flavor of Armenian cuisine is ideal for warming up a crisp autumn evening. From "An Armenian Evening", Good Food Magazine, October 1986. Prep time does not include marinating time. Posted for ZWT 4.

Provided by JackieOhNo

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 1h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 (5 -6 lb) leg of lamb, semiboned (shank bone left in,)
3 garlic cloves, cut into 12 slivers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried mint
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
fresh ground pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced celery
1 cup long-grain rice
3 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons dried currants
fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups water

Steps:

  • Marinate lamb: Remove fell (the thin outer membrane) and all but 1/8-inch layer fat from lamb. Make 12 small incisions in outside surface and insert garlic slivers. Combine oil, lemon juice, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place lamb in glass dish and spread o il mixture evenly over inside and outside surfaces. Let stand covered at room temperature 1-1/2 hours or refrigerate overnight. (If lamb is refrigerated, let warm to room temperature 1-1/2 hours before roasting.).
  • Make stuffing about 1-1/2 hours before roasting lamb: Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery; saute until tender but not browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, pine nuts and parsley. Reduce heat to low and cook until rice turns opaque, 2-3 minutes. Gradually stir in broth. Stir in currants and pepper to taste. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer covered until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and add allspice and cinnamon while fluffing rice with fork. Let cool at room temperature about 1 hour.
  • Heat oven to 475 degrees.
  • Place lamb, fat side down, on work surface. Spoon about 2 cups stuffing into pocket where bones were. Press leg together and tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place lamb on rack in roasting pan. Spoon remaining stuffing into small casserole and set aside.
  • Roast lamb on rack in upper third of oven until browned, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Carefully pour 1-1/2 cups water into pan. Continue to roast, basting every 15 minutes, until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of leg registers 145 degrees for medium-rare; it will take about 45 minutes. Fifteen minutes before lamb is done, spoon 1-2 T. pan juices over stuffing in casserole and bake in oven until heated through. Transfer lamb to carving board and let stand 15-20 minutes.
  • Spoon fat from pan juices, then heat juices to boiling, scraping loose browned bits on bottom of pan. Strain into sauceboat and season with pepper.
  • Slice lamb 1/2-inch thick and serve with stuffing and pan juices.

LAHMAJOON: ARMENIAN LAMB PIZZA



LAHMAJOON: ARMENIAN LAMB PIZZA image

Categories     Lamb

Yield 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 10

1.5 # ground lamb
1/2 C chopped tomato
1/2 C finely diced yellow onion
1/4. C. minced parsley
1 t. minced garlic
1 large green pepper, small dice.
1/2 t. Oregano
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. mix red and black pepper
6 5" pita breads

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 f. Carefully split each pita bread in half with a serrated knife to make a thin circle. Set pitas aside. Mix all other ingredients together throughly in a large bowl. Place 1/4-1/3 C. of lamb mixture in the center of each pita circle. With a fork, press the lamb mixture onto the pita to within 1/4" of the edge. Bake the lahmajoon for 25-35 minutes on a foil-wrapped cookie sheet until browned and crisp. Serve with tabouli and hommus. Note: these can be frozen cooked. Just place the lahmajoon meat-side together, wrap in plastic and foil. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes open-face to reheat.

ARMENIAN LAMB



ARMENIAN LAMB image

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 lbs fillet end leg of lamb ( or any lean cut)
1 tbsp oil
1 oz butter
2 medium onions slice
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp allspice
2 tbsp tomato purée
1/2 - 3/4 pints stock
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Cube meat ad brown a few pieces at a time. Remove meat and add onions and garlic. Cook slowly for 5 mins, stirring. Dust in the flour and spices and continue cooking 3-4 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and stock away from heat. Blen till smooth. Return to stove and bring to the boil stirring. Add meat and cook in slow oven mk 2 for 3 hours. Pilaf rice cooked in chicken stock with onion - add currants and pistachios.

Tips:

  • Select high-quality lamb: Choose lamb that is fresh, tender, and has a good amount of marbling.
  • Marinate the lamb: Marinating the lamb in a flavorful mixture of spices, herbs, and liquids helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
  • Cook the lamb slowly and at a low temperature: This will help the lamb cook evenly and prevent it from becoming tough.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked to your desired doneness: The internal temperature of the lamb should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, 160°F (71°C) for medium, and 170°F (77°C) for well done.
  • Let the lamb rest before carving: This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
  • Serve the lamb with your favorite sides: Some popular Armenian sides include rice, roasted vegetables, and yogurt sauce.

Conclusion:

Armenian lamb is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following these tips, you can easily create a tender, juicy, and flavorful lamb dish that will impress your family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your oven, and get ready to enjoy this culinary delight!

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