Description
Tender lamb rib chops seasoned with aromatic zaatar and finished with a sweet-tart pomegranate glaze for an elegant Middle Eastern-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 lamb rib chops
- 2 tablespoons zaatar spice blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat lamb chops dry with paper towels. Combine zaatar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Coat lamb chops evenly with olive oil, then rub the zaatar mixture all over the meat.
- Let lamb chops rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
- While lamb is resting, prepare the pomegranate glaze. In a small saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, and garlic.
- Bring glaze mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over high heat. Sear lamb chops for 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer skillet to preheated oven and cook for 5-7 minutes for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.
- Remove lamb from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Brush with pomegranate glaze.
- Serve lamb chops with additional glaze, garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and mint leaves.
Notes
- For best results, bring lamb chops to room temperature before cooking.
- The pomegranate glaze can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
- Zaatar is a Middle Eastern spice blend typically containing dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac, and sesame seeds.
- For a more pronounced flavor, marinate the lamb with the zaatar mixture for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 lamb chops
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: lamb chops, zaatar, pomegranate, middle eastern, dinner party, gourmet meal
