TURKISH LAMB CHOPS WITH SUMAC, TAHINI, AND DILL

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Turkish Lamb Chops With Sumac, Tahini, and Dill image

A coating of toasted, lightly crushed fennel, coriander, and cumin seeds gives grilled or broiled lamb loin chops both a heady scent and a good crunch.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     Lamb     Easter     Sesame     Coriander     Cumin     Garlic     Lemon Juice     Dinner

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 19

For the lamb:
1 tablespoon Turkish red pepper or Aleppo pepper (or use red chile flakes)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds bone-in loin lamb chops, the thicker the better
Extra-virgin olive oil, for grilling
For the tahini sauce:
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
2 to 3 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane or minced
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup tahini
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 to 6 tablespoons ice water
For serving:
Fresh dill sprigs
Ground sumac (optional)

Steps:

  • Prepare the lamb:
  • Combine the Turkish red pepper, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds in a small bowl. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat, add the spice mixture, and toast until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a mortar or spice grinder, add the salt and black pepper, and either pound or briefly grind until you get a coarse-textured spice mix. Don't overdo it if you've gone electric here-the coarse texture is an essential part of the dish.
  • Pat the spice mixture all over the lamb chops, and let them marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or uncovered in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  • Make the tahini sauce:
  • While the lamb is marinating, in a food processor, blend the lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Then add the tahini and ground cumin, and blend until a thick paste forms. With the processor running, gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth enough to drizzle.
  • Heat a grill or broiler to high.
  • Drizzle the chops lightly with olive oil. Grill the chops until they are charred on the outside and cooked to taste within (or broil the chops on a broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet). Cooking time will depend on how thick your chops are, so watch them carefully: 2-inch-thick bone-in chops will take at least 3 to 5 minutes per side for rare. You'll need less time for thinner chops, and more time if you like them cooked medium rare or beyond. Let the lamb rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • To serve, drizzle the tahini sauce over the chops, and garnish them with the dill sprigs. Add a dusting of the red sumac if you like.

Agness Kallon
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This is a great recipe for a special occasion. The lamb chops were tender and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect complement. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious and impressive dish to serve.


Donald Chansa
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I'm not a fan of dill, so I omitted it from the recipe. The lamb chops were still delicious, but I think they would have been even better with the dill.


Natasha Mwenda
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This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I think it would be perfect for someone who enjoys spicy food. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the sauce was very flavorful.


AMillerMogul
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I'm not a big fan of lamb, but I thought I'd give this recipe a try. I was pleasantly surprised! The lamb chops were tender and juicy, and the sauce was flavorful and tangy. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who loves lamb or is look


Salami Zainab
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This recipe is a keeper. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the sauce was amazing. I will definitely be making this again and again.


M Amir
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I made this recipe for a dinner party and it was a huge hit. The lamb chops were tender and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect complement. I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious and impressive dish to serve.


Muh Saleem
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I'm always looking for new ways to cook lamb, and this recipe definitely delivered. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the sauce was divine. I will definitely be making this again.


Jerome Micka
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This is my new favorite lamb chop recipe. The sumac-tahini sauce is so good, I could drink it. I will definitely be making this again and again.


1inadventure gaming
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I used a different type of yogurt than the recipe called for, and the sauce turned out a little too thick. I would recommend using the type of yogurt specified in the recipe.


Akaysha Delzer
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I'm not a fan of sumac, so I omitted it from the recipe. The lamb chops were still delicious, but I think they would have been even better with the sumac.


Hamdan
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This recipe was a hit with my family. The lamb chops were tender and juicy, and the sauce was flavorful and tangy. I will definitely be making this again.


Samrat Deula
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I thought the lamb chops were a bit overcooked, but the sauce was amazing. I would recommend cooking the chops for a shorter amount of time.


Bushra Aziz
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I followed the recipe exactly and the lamb chops turned out perfectly. The sumac-tahini sauce was the perfect complement to the lamb. I highly recommend this recipe.


Aaron Davis
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This dish was easy to make and absolutely delicious. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the sauce was divine. I will definitely be making this again and again.


Humasha Ontiyislam
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I'm not a huge fan of lamb, but this recipe changed my mind. The chops were so tender and flavorful, and the sauce was to die for. I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves lamb or is looking for a new and exciting way to cook it.


Biggs Mack
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These lamb chops were amazing! The sumac-tahini sauce was the perfect balance of tangy and creamy, and the dill added a refreshing touch. I will definitely be making this again.