five spice lamb

A delicious and simple weekend dish, this five spice lamb made me feel like a master chef for whipping it up.

This is the second time I have made lamb and it's definitely turning into one of my favorite things to cook. I went the Mediterranean route here, but I think this could go in so many directions--dying to try lamb ragout or maybe grill a few pieces.

five spice lamb
one lamb steak
2 tbsp butter

spice mixture
onion powder (1 tsp)
ancho chili powder (2 tsp)-can use regular chili powder if you don’t have it
pepper (1/2 tsp)
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp rosemary, finely minced (or 1 tsp of dried)
2 tsp salt

• Combine spice mixture, rub it on both sides of lamb steak and let sit for about 20-30 minutes
• Preheat oven to 350
• Preheat pan with butter on medium-high heat
• Place lamb steak in pan (it should sizzle, flick it with water first to make sure its hot enough)
• Sear on both sides, about 3 mins per side 
• Place in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until cooked to about medium/medium-rare (use a meat thermometer if needed)

couscous
1 package of isreali couscous
3 cups of vegetable stock
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp rosemary, finely minced
salt and pepper for seasoning
onions and garlic sautéed in oil with about half the rosemary

tip: cook onions and garlic low and slow to bring out their natural sweetness

• bring vegetable stock up to a boil
• in the meantime, lightly brown couscous in a pot with butter on low heat
• once the stock is boiling, add slowly to couscous with remaining rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic, onion and rosemary mix
• cover and let look on low-medium heat until all liquid is absorbed and couscous has a slight bite (similar to al-dente pasta) this should take about 20-25 mins

gravy
1/4 cup red wine
pan drippings from lamb
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup vegetable stock (beef or chicken stock would be fine too)
3 tbsp flour

• whisk all ingredients together over low heat, adding more liquid if mixture is too thick, and more flour if too thin
• spoon over lamb

Also: if you haven't entered already, enter here to win a meal cooked by me or a cooking demo with me!

a few notes:

• I can make suggestions or work with you to plan the menu, but the limit is $50 on all ingredients
• I will cook at your home as long as you are comfortable with that
• If you are not a Bay Area resident and do not have any upcoming plans to visit, it may be difficult to cook for you, but contact me: cravecreateblog@gmail.com--maybe we can do a virtual session!
• This giveaway closes Friday October 22nd
• Please give me a way to contact you!

I will be choosing the lucky winner on Friday !