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Spiced Lamb Patties and Couscous with Apricots
- 25 mins total
- 15 mins prep
- 10 mins cook
- serves 4 people
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Spiced lamb patties and couscous with apricots. A whole meal that you will love to make over and over how easy and savory this dish is to make.
Spring is always, to me, lamb season. This year I wanted to expand my culinary journey by making some lamb patties. Something new in our kitchen, and very well welcomed.
I love the earthiness of the lamb and with the added spices, consequently rich in flavor and so savory.
Coriander and cumin are the only spices used with this dish, and they bring out the best foot forward in taste. The couscous is enhanced by the sweetness of the apricots and balanced off with the cumin.
Couscous is the perfect side dish for lamb patties. Consistent in flavor, and yet not too heavy or overpowering the flavors of your dish.
The lamb has this wonderful coriander and garlic undertone which is not overpowering and will make come back for more.
It took about 25 minutes to prepare this wonderful dish. Easy to prepare on a weeknight even with all the bustle of life around you. A little bit of the Mediterranean in your dish
Spiced Lamb Patties
Lamb patties are crisp and they taste less gamey than the chop. Therefore, it plays well with strong spices such as cumin, fennel, chili flakes, coriander, garlic, cayenne, and nutmeg.
Furthermore, because of the very rich flavor, it does not need much work to be done to enjoy them.
Mixing the plain yogurt, or any greek style yogurts with the lamb, the meat is tenderized by it.
I would not recommend using the regular yogurt as it will be too watery and not allow the ground lamb meat to bind well.
What is Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is also known as a concentrate or strained yogurt, made by eliminating the whey and other liquids from the regular yogurt.
The Greek yogurt has high protein content and less added sugar and of course much thicker consistency.
Greek yogurt is not and should not contain thickening agents.
Fat-free yogurt can also be substituted in this recipe.
Mint and Lamb
I love mint but never was fond of mint jelly. Somehow jelly to me is a breakfast and lamb is quite the opposite. However, the mint goes wonderfully with the lamb. It brings a freshness to the earthiness of the meat.
The lamb compliment the mint.
The mint, lemon juice, and greek yogurt combination bring to the plate a very rich in flavor sauce that has a burst of freshness with each bite.
TIPS
This recipe goes rather fast once you start. My suggestion is to start with making the yogurt mint sauce before starting. This will allow time for the flavors to blend together.
- Watch that the chicken stock for the couscous does not evaporate too much when coming to a full boil prior to you adding the couscous. You do not want your couscous to be too dry and form clumps.
- When cooking the spiced lamb patties use a skillet that has high boards and cooks over medium heat. The lamb contains a lot of fat which will be released while frying them. This fat will splatter therefore the high side skillet will help form making a mess around your work area.
- Place the cooked patties on a cooling wire rack to release the last bit of fat prior to you enjoying them.
When all your patties are ready, fluff the couscous, taste, and season it. Serve your beautiful dish with a bed of couscous, your spiced lamb patties, and a dollop of minted yogurt.
If you enjoy this dish, check out these flavorful recipes:
Seared Salmon with Peas, Potatoes and Mint
Turkey Sausage Boulettes – or Patties
Equipment and ingredients needed to prepare this dish
Nutrition Facts
Spiced Lamb Patties and Couscous with Apricots
Amount Per Serving
Calories 881
Calories from Fat 459
% Daily Value*
Fat 51g78%
Saturated Fat 19g119%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 24g
Cholesterol 125mg42%
Sodium 583mg25%
Potassium 773mg22%
Carbohydrates 63g21%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 40g80%
Vitamin A 701IU14%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 96mg10%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Spiced Lamb Patties and Couscous with Apricots
- 25 mins total
- 15 mins prep
- 10 mins cook
- serves 4 people
Ingredients
-
½ cup dried apricots cut into small chunks
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1½ cup fine couscous
-
2 cups sodium-free chicken broth
-
salt
-
1 teaspoon ground cumin
-
1½ pound ground lamb
-
6 tablespoons Greek yogurt
-
3 large garlic cloves, mashed to a paste with a pinch of salt
-
1 teaspoon ground coriander
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Black pepper
-
3 tablespoons light olive oil
-
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
-
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
-
In a small bowl combine 4 tablespoons yogurt, 1 ½ tablespoons mint, salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Set aside.
-
In a large saucepan, combine the chicken broth, apricots, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cumin. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, and cover. Let it sit until all the liquid has been absorbed, timing according to packing direction.
-
Meanwhile in a bowl combine the lamb, 1 tablespoon of yogurt, the garlic, coriander, and the remaining ¾ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix by hand making sure you do not overmix the mixture. Shape into 8 equal patties.
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Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the patties and cook, turning once. Once browned on the outside, slightly pink on the inside remove and place on a cooling rack.
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Fluff the couscous with a fork. Mix the remaining oil, and season with salt and pepper.
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Divide the couscous and patties among 4 plates. Add a dollop of the minted yogurt on the side and garnish with the remaining mint.
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This was utterly delicious, the lamb patties were moist and tasty and I loved the cous cous cooked in chicken stock – it added so much depth of flavour.
Thank you so much for your trying my recipe. I am so happy you enjoyed it.
This was a lovely meal, the mint, apricot & greek yogurt paired together so well!
Thank you, Ashley! I a so happy you enjoyed it!
My store is just now starting to carry lamb, yeah! First of all the couscous itself with the apricots is so good. The recipe for making the lamb patties is super simple with the right amount of herbs.
It is the perfect last-minute dinner at my house.
Enjoy!
Spiced lamb patties and couscous with apricots, such exotic food. It must taste excellent.
Quite a flavorful combination
Love this combination – lamb and apricots are so great together! I’ll have to try this sometime soon.
You will enjoy it.
Bon Appetit!
Another fantastic recipe I do love lamb and mint yoghurt… I now can add cous cous and apricot… thank you again
The pleasure is all mine.
Enjoy!
i love the flavours of the lamb patties and it’s perfect meal! so juicy
Thank you!
I love this combo! I really like to sweeten my couscous, and I usually do it with dried cranberries or raising but I can’t wait to try this idea with apricots.
I love raisins too, but wanted to do something different. I am sure you will enjoy it.
The apricots gave this such a burst of flavor!
They are my favorite with couscous.
I have yet to try lamb, but I think if I did this would be the way to go. The patties look so delicious and that couscous sounds lovely.
Thank you and I hope you will give it a ry
I would like to try to make the patties in advance and cook when Im ready to have meal.
Absolutely, they can be refrigerated for a day.
Enjoy!
My partner loves the lamb, but I’m not such a great fan (of meats, in general). Although in this combination of flavours, I would give it a go. Recipe noted for a weekend dinner.
Thank you, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Bon Appetit!
This savory dish is perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness thanks to the addition of the apricots. Your flavor combos are always spot on, thanks for another great recipe.
Thank you, Christina, the pleasure is all mine.
What an amazing balance of flavors. Thank you for another great recipe!
The pleasure is all mine, Thank you for stopping by my corner of the world
This is a great recipe. The lamb is so flavorful and apricots took the dish to the next level!
Thank you! I am pleased you enjoyed it
the apricot is so flavourful. i love this pairing with the lamb!
Thank you! One of my favorite
These lamb patties were super delicious, and moist. I fell in love with the combination of lamb and the apricot cuscus. A scrumptious find. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
The pleasure is all mine and I am happy you enjoyed it.
Thank you for your feedback.
So good! Looks delicious
Thank you!
This was the perfect meal. I am printing this one and making it a part of our regular rotation.
Thank you so much for your feedback.
This was amazing! The couscous and lamb go so well together and I love the added sweetness from the apricots
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.
The combination of mint & apricots with lamb is absolutely divine!
I am so happy you enjoyed it.