pomegranate molasses lamb chops & Patrick Hopkins

Ingredients for Pomegranate Molasses

This is one of my favorite recipes of all time. I have served it as an appetizer (using leg of lamb cubes for little kebabs) and as a main course, as here with lamb chops, to literally hundreds of people and there has never been even one person who didn’t love it. People who had given up on lamb saying that they found it too “gamey” ask for the recipe! The pomegranate juice truly transforms the lamb into the most delicious meat imaginable. Pomegranate molasses can be found bottled in many Middle East markets, but it could not be easier to make yourself. You can see the 3 ingredients in the photo above. A couple items in the photo may look strange – allow me to explain. You ask, “What are those black sticks in your sugar jar?” Answer: They are dried vanilla beans. You see, every time a recipe calls for a fresh vanilla bean, let’s say crème brûlée… once I’ve finished with the bean, I dry it off, and stick it in my sugar jar. The sugar takes on a hint of vanilla flavor, a bonus for just about any recipe calling for sugar. Next question – “What is that stuff floating in the measuring cup holding the Pom juice?” Answer: Frozen lemon juice. Living in Scottsdale, we have an abundance of citrus trees and in December – February, that citrus is coming out of our ears. My one and only lemon tree produced a plethora a lemons this year. I was zesting and juicing lemons daily for months plus giving away boxes upon boxes of citrus. It was a huge pain then, but of course I am grateful and happy now with all the zip-locks bulging from my freezer. To freeze the juice, I fill standard size muffin tins to nearly the top (each muffin cup holds 1/4 cup of juice) and freeze the tins uncovered overnight. Next day, label a gallon size zip-lock freezer bag with the date and “1/4 cup lemon juice each.” Then pop out the frozen “juice muffins” and immediately get them into the labeled zip-locks and back into the freezer. They will keep for about 1 year, just in time to start the process over again.

Patrick Hopkins; photo from DePaul

Before we get to the recipe, it’s time for some family pride. Not one of my kids this time, but instead a future Major League Soccer superstar, my nephew, Patrick Hopkins. Patrick plays for DePaul in Chicago and makes our family proud!

Pomegranate Molasses Lamb Chops

3 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1/2 cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon, divided
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 lamb loin chops (about 2 1/2 pounds total)
1/2 cup fresh pomegranate arils (seeds), if available

Pomegranate Molasses: Stir pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and sugar together in large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to 1 cup liquid, about 20 -25 minutes depending on your stove and what pan you use, watching carefully during the last 5 minutes or it can easily go too far. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until ready to use. This recipe only uses 1/2 cup. Cover and refrigerate remaining 1/2 cup and save for up to 1 month.

Pom Marinating Lamb Chops

Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and stir until lightly toasted, about 1 – 2 minutes. Grind cumin seeds in spice grinder. Mix 1/2 cup of the pomegranate molasses, freshly ground cumin, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg in 1-gallon zip-lock bag. Add lamb; chill at least 1 hour but no longer than 4 hours.

Remove lamb, pour marinade in medium saucepan and bring to a boil, remove from heat, cool slightly, stir in fresh pomegranate seeds, set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add lamb and cook to desired doneness, about 4 –6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, for medium. Transfer lamb to platter (do not clean skillet). Tent lamb with foil, to keep warm.

Pom Lamb Chop with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Almond Green Beans

Drain off fat from skillet, return to medium heat and pour cooked marinade from saucepan into skillet to deglaze pan. Return chops to pan to reheat.  Serve chops drizzled with sauce.

Serves 6