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Take your taste buds to Syria with this Grilled Lamb Salad with Muhammara. It鈥檚 got everything, from grilled lamb loin chops to fresh herbs to hearty grains, all atop a layer of creamy muhammara. And in addition to a whole lot of flavor, you鈥檒l get protein, fiber and a rainbow of nutrient-rich ingredients in every bite thanks to the Mediterranean staples used to make this bright, colorful meal.
We love muhammara, which is a dip or spread made with roasted red peppers, pomegranate molasses and walnuts. It鈥檚 used in a variety of ways both in Syria and throughout the Middle Eastern region 鈥 and it鈥檚 actually a relative of a Spanish romesco sauce. While a classic romesco is made with tomatoes, red bell peppers, almonds, olive oil and garlic,聽 muhammara is made with just slightly different ingredients. And the final product is savory, sweet and a little smoky. It鈥檚 incredibly versatile, too. While we love smearing it across a plate filled with veggies and proteins, it鈥檚 also delicious as聽聽for crunchy veg and freshly-made pita,聽聽on a mezze board or used as a topping for savory dishes.
One key ingredient to the vibrant color and punch of flavor in the muhammara that鈥檚 paired with this Grilled Lamb Salad? Pomegranate molasses. If you don鈥檛 have any pomegranate molasses in your pantry, it鈥檚聽聽for many Mediterranean-inspired meals. Pomegranate molasses has a tart, fruity flavor that鈥檚 only slightly sweet. You can look for it at specialty food stores and Middle Eastern grocery stores. Better yet, you can make your own with聽.
Grilled Lamb Salad with Muhammara, Herbs and Pomegranate
Ingredients
Lamb salad
- 1鈦4 cup uncooked bulgur
- 8 lamb loin chops (1-1 1鈦4 inches thick)
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1鈦2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1鈦2 tsp. each sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses
- 1 cup torn mint leaves
- 1 cup parsley leaves
- 1鈦2 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts, toasted
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Muhammara
- 鈪 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
- 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 鈪 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 1 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses
- 2 Tbsp. BPA-free unsalted tomato paste
- 1鈦2 to 1 tsp. ground Aleppo pepper or paprika
- sea salt, to taste
Preparation
1. Cook bulgur according to package directions.
2. Prepare muhammara: To a food processor, add bread crumbs, red peppers, walnuts, molasses, tomato paste and Aleppo pepper. Pur茅e until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
3. Prepare lamb: Preheat a grill to medium. Spray lamb with cooking spray and sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper. Grill 3 minutes per side. Brush with pomegranate molasses during the last minute on each side. Set aside to rest.
4. Spread muhammara on one side of plates. In a small bowl, toss together bulgur, mint, parsley and pomegranate arils; add to plates opposite the muhammara. Arrange lamb chops over salad (you can slice the meat off, if desired), drizzling with any accumulated juices. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve with lemon wedges.