Enter the 2027 James Beard Awards® now! Click here →Click here


Couscous with Lamb and Mint Dressing

Method
In this simple and vibrant couscous dish, Andrea Beaman offsets spicy lamb with a refreshing mint pesto.
  • 1/2 pound lamb steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt, black pepper, and cumin to taste
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1/3 cup mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 12 grape or cherry tomatoes, chopped
Season the lamb pieces with salt, pepper, and cumin. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the lamb and quickly sauté until medium-rare, only about a minute on each side. Transfer the lamb pieces to a plate and let rest while you make the couscous and the mint pesto.
In a medium pot, bring the vegetable stock to a boil. Add the couscous and let boil until all the liquid is absorbed.
While the the couscous cooks, combine the mint, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor and purée into a loose pesto.
Toss the lamb and tomatoes with the couscous. Mix in the mint pesto and serve.
Yield
4 servings