Lamb Loving Cook Steals Hearts with Winning 'Recipe For Romance'

DENVER, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Love was in the air this February as home cooks nationwide submitted their surefire "Recipes for Romance" to the American Lamb Board in honor of Lamb Lovers Month.  Among the recipes to woo loved ones, Felice Bogus of Raleigh, NC, stood out with her Spice-Kissed Mediterranean Lamb Chops.

With sweet and savory notes, Bogus knows that lamb is for lovers and share her recommendation for "lamb and love, truly the most perfect of pairings." Setting the stage for romance Bogus notes that "there is little in the kitchen more romantic than preparing and serving a rack of lamb with your honey… Rosy, pink lamb, whether paired with a rich risotto or toothsome Israeli couscous, begs for a perfect Pinot Noir or an intense Syrah."  

As the winner of this year's contest, Bogus will receive the ultimate lamb lovers care package filled with lambtastic finds including two racks of American lamb, lamb rub, lamb-shaped cutting board, "Lamb is for lovers" apron and more.

Spice-Kissed Mediterranean Lamb Chops    

Serves 4

1 cup pomegranate juice

1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp. + 1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

1 rack American lamb, separated into chops (about 2 lb.)

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 cup Zinfandel

1/3 cup unsalted pistachios, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
2. Boil pomegranate juice, apricots, and garlic, stirring often, until juice is reduce to c., about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve.
3. Heat 1 tsp. olive oil in an ovenproof skillet and cook chops until browned on each side, about 2 minutes per side. 
4. In a small bowl mix together 1 Tbs. olive oil, cardamom, smoked paprika, and pepper. Rub paste into both sides of lamb chops, return to pan, place in the oven, and bake about 10 -12 minutes. 
5. Remove chops from pan and let rest while preparing sauce.
6. Return pan to stovetop over medium heat. Add wine to pan and stir to deglaze. Let wine reduce to a glaze, about 2 -3 minutes. Whisk in reserved pomegranate mixture and any meat juices that have accumulated on the plate.
7. To serve, place chops on plate with bones crossed. Drizzle around with sauce and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

For more information about the American Lamb Board please visit http://americanlamb.com.  You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter, @FANofLAMB, to keep up to date on news and events.

About the American Lamb Board

The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the board's programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colorado.

For more information about the American Lamb Board, please contact Marliese Engel Traver ([email protected]) at Baltz & Company -- 212-982-8300 ext. 112

SOURCE American Lamb Board