Lamb Chops With Black Olives Recipes

LAMB CUTLETS/RIB CHOPS WITH CHILI AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Layer the rib chops between clingfilm/cling-wrap (plastic wrap) and flatten them gently with a rolling pin or mallet. Place the chops in a large dish so that they all fit in a single layer.
• Pour over the 4 tablespoons/1/4 cup of oil and add the garlic, chili, oregano, lemon zest and juice. Sprinkle over the salt and the olives and then turn the rib chops in the marinade so that both sides are coated.
• Cover and leave the lamb to marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature before cooking.
• Heat a large frying pan with the 2 tablespoons of oil, and add the chops scraping off the marinade before you put them in the pan. Fry them for a couple of minutes a side on quite a high heat so that they take on some color.
• Turn the heat back down to medium and pour the marinade into the pan over the colored chops. Add 2 tablespoons or so of water so that they cook in a little liquid.
• Cook for about 5 minutes for rare cutlets or a little longer if you like your lamb well cooked, (this will also depend on the thickness of the chops).
• Transfer the lamb to a serving plate, pour over the juices from the pan and sprinkle with the chopped red chile should you feel like enhancing the dried chili with the pep of fresh.

RACK OF LAMB CRUSTED WITH BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the olives, oregano, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper. While the machine is running, drizzle in enough olive oil to create a smooth paste. Taste it-it should be olive-y and delicious!
• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Using a sharp knife and working from either end, remove the second and seventh bones from the lamb to make it a 6-rib rack; then cut 6 even chops, season them with salt, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Coat a large sauté pan with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Working in batches (if you crowd the pan the chops will steam instead of sear), add the chops and cook, turning once, until beautifully brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Then brown the fatty outside edge as well for another 2 minutes-SOOOOO delicious!
• When all the chops are done, schmear them generously with the olive purée. Put the chops on a baking sheet and roast for 5 to 6 minutes for medium rare (7 to 8 for medium). Then let them rest for 4 or 5 minutes before digging in.
• If you're making this for a dinner party, the browning and schmearing can be done ahead of time and the chops can be tossed in the oven just before serving.

MARINATED LAMB CHOPS WITH FENNEL AND BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil, garlic and pepper in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the lamb chops. Place the lamb chops in the dish and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Wipe the oil off the lamb chops. Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the chops and sear until medium rare, about 30 seconds per side. Remove the chops from the skillet and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• Reduce the heat to very low. Add the shaved fennel, cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the fennel is soft, about 20 minutes. Remove the fennel from the skillet with a slotted spatula and divide among 4 warmed plates.
• Increase the heat and add the white wine and chicken broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Stir in the olives and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place 2 lamb chops over the fennel on each plate, spoon the sauce over the top, sprinkle with the fennel tops and serve immediately.

LAMB CHOPS, CALABRESE, WITH TOMATOES, PEPPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Cut each pepper lengthwise along the creases, remove the stem, seeds, and pithy core, and skin with a swivel-blade vegetable peeler. Cut into approximately 1-1/2" squares.
• Sprinkle the chops on both sides with a little salt.
• Put the olive oil into a 12" skillet and turn on the heat to high. When oil is hot, slide in the lamb chops. Brown them throughly on one side, turn over, and brown thoroughly on the other side. Remove from the pan to a plate and set aside.
• Put the chopped onion into the pan and cook it over lively heat, stirring frequently, until it becomes a rich gold colour. Add tomatoes with their juice, turning them over in the pan once or twice, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the cut up peppers, parsley, olives, salt and generous grindings of black pepper. Turn heat down to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, until the peppers are tender but firm.
• Sprinkle the chops with pepper and return them to the pan with the sauce. Turn the chops over several times to coat well and after about a minute or so, empty the full contents of the skillet onto a warm serving platter and promptly serve to hungry diners.

LAMB WITH BLACK OLIVES

Steps:

• Pat the pieces of lamb dry with paper towels and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• In a heavy saucepan or casserole, gently sauté the garlic and rosemary in the oil over medium-low heat until the garlic is soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add the seasoned lamb, raise the heat to medium, and turn the lamb pieces, stirring constantly, until they have browned thoroughly on all sides. Add the wine, let come to a simmer, and cook until reduced by half.
• Stir in the olives and the dissolved tomato paste, mixing everything together, then cover the pan and continue cooking on very low heat for about 1 hour, or until the sauce is very thick and the lamb is cooked through. Check the sauce periodically and add more wine or water if it seems necessary.
• When the lamb is done, serve it immediately, accompanied by polenta, if you wish.