Sautéed Lamb Chops With Ramps Anchovy Capers And Olives Recipes

SAUTéED LAMB CHOPS WITH RAMPS, ANCHOVY, CAPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Season chops on both sides with salt and pepper, sprinkle with rosemary, and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Put a large sauté pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat bottom of pan. When oil is hot, add chops in one layer, without crowding. (If necessary, use two pans or work in batches.)
• Cook chops until nicely browned on first side, about 4 to 5 minutes. (Maintain brisk heat, but adjust if they seem to be browning too quickly.) Flip chops and cook to medium-rare, until red juices rise on surface, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove chops to a serving platter and keep warm.
• Return pan to stovetop over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil if pan looks dry, then add shallot and cook until lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add anchovies, mashing them with the back of a spoon, to combine.
• Add chopped ramps (or garlic, if using), capers, olives and red pepper and stir to incorporate shallot mixture. Raise heat to high and add white wine. Cook rapidly until reduced by half. Add chicken broth and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and zest and turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop reserved green ramp tops, if using, and mix with chopped parsley. Stir parsley mixture into sauce. Spoon sauce generously over lamb chops and serve.

CASSANDRA'S YUMMY LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Place lamb chops in a shallow dish, and smear both sides with roasted garlic. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Cover with 1 1/2 cups olive oil, and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove chops and marinade from dish, and scrape off the oil, which will have partially solidified in the refrigerator. Place the chops back in the dish, and cover with red wine. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Saute chopped onion until tender. Place the lamb chops into the skillet, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes on each side.

SEARED LAMB CHOPS WITH ANCHOVIES, CAPERS AND SAGE

Steps:

• Rinse the lamb chops and pat them dry. Season them with salt and pepper, and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Over medium-high heat, warm a skillet large enough to hold all the chops in one layer. Add the oil and when it shimmers, add the anchovies and capers. Cook, stirring, until the anchovies break down, about 3 minutes.
• Arrange the lamb chops in the skillet and fry, without moving them, until brown, about 3 minutes. Turn them over, and toss the sage leaves and pepper flakes into the pan. Cook until lamb reaches the desired doneness, about 2 minutes for medium-rare.
• Arrange the chops on serving plates. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute, then spoon the sauce over the lamb. Serve with the lemon wedges.

BUTTER-BRAISED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off and discard the tough bottoms of the asparagus spears. If using large, thick asparagus, peel the lower ends with a vegetable peeler.
• Put butter in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Cook until the asparagus is firm-tender, about 3 minutes. Take care not to overcook them; they should still be bright green. (They will continue to cook a bit once the heat is off.) Remove the asparagus from the pan and place on a serving platter.
• Turn heat to high and simmer briskly until most of the liquid has evaporated, a minute or so. Add lemon juice and zest to the buttery juices. Turn off heat and stir in chives, parsley, tarragon and dill, if using. Check seasoning. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, garnish with a few herb leaves, and serve.