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Green Harissa Sauce

This vibrant Green Harissa Sauce combines fresh vegetables and herbs, offering a zesty and nutritious condiment that enhances any meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: North African
Calories: 50
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Green Harissa Sauce
  • 1 medium jalapeño Use more to make it spicier
  • 1.5 cups baby spinach, kale, or chard
  • 3/4 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves and stems Or a mix of parsley and cilantro
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, chicken broth, or water
  • 2 medium garlic cloves Smashed
  • 1.5 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil Divided
  • to taste Kosher salt
  • to taste Freshly ground black pepper
For the Lamb Chops
  • 12 (1 1/4-inch-thick) lamb rib chops (about 2 1/2 pounds total)

Method
 

Make The Green Harissa Sauce
  1. Turn a gas burner on medium heat and char the jalapeño until blackened and slightly collapsed, turning frequently.
  2. Transfer the charred jalapeño to a cutting board to cool slightly.
  3. Once cool enough, trim off the stems from the jalapeño and remove the seeds and ribs.
  4. Combine the jalapeño with all the harissa ingredients except 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a food processor or blender.
  5. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and stir to help loosen the sauce. (This sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead—store refrigerated in an airtight container.)
Cook The Lamb Chops
  1. Meanwhile, season the lamb chops generously with salt and pepper and coat well in olive oil.
  2. Set a grill pan or large skillet over high heat.
  3. Add the lamb chops and cook until lightly seared, about 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare (125°F).
  4. Let the chops rest for a few minutes before serving them with the green harissa on the side.

Notes

You can serve the Green Harissa Sauce generously on the side of your lamb chops. It can also be used to dress salads or as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables. When serving, consider portion control; a tablespoon or two of sauce is plenty to enjoy the taste without overwhelming the dish.