Cooking Lamb at the Center for Kosher Culinary Arts

Just over a month ago we spoke about the Baking and Pastry Arts course at CKCA, now we turn to their Culinary course. I recently attended a session given by Chef Avram Wiseman – one of two Senior culinary instructors. This particular session dealt with cooking lamb.

Chef Avram Wiseman

Chef Avram demonstrated various techniques for preparing lamb.

Covered in pastry

With potatoes Anna

CKCA’s students prepared lamb in a variety of ways over two days. The ones I was lucky to sample had a captivating aroma, great taste and were very juicy and tender.

Chef Avram has graciously shared his recipe for Asian Lamb Chops:

Asian Lamb chops

Yield: 2 portions

Ingredients:

6- Single cut rib lamb chops
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon shredded ginger root
1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic
3 tablespoons honey
3 oz. low sodium soy sauce
3 Tablespoons chicken stock
¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 scallions cut ¾ inch bias cut (white and green)
½ Teaspoon Cracked peppercorns

Procedure:

Season the lamb chops with the cracked peppercorns according to your taste. Lightly coat the chops with canola oil. Heat a large, heavy bottomed sauté pan. Place the lamb chops in the hot pan and quickly sear the lamb over high heat. Turn the chops and sear the second side. Cook until lamb is nicely golden brown. Remove chops from pan. Reserve some melted lamb fat in the pan. (If lamb chops are double cut or extra thick they may be placed in the oven for 7-10 minutes)

Place the ginger and garlic in the pan. Add a drop of oil if needed. Cook over high heat. Add the honey before the garlic burns! Continue cooking and let the honey bubble up and begin to color. Add soy sauce and de-glaze the honey. Add chicken broth. Return the chops to the sauce and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the sesame oil and scallions and mix well. Serve immediately.

I tried the Chef’s recipe at home, besides tasting at CKCA, it came out great. I loved it!

Next week will be back with CKCA’s Culinary course taught by Chef David Ritter, he’ll be sharing his recipe for Steak au poivre  (Peppercorn Steak).

CS