Southwestern Lamb Chops Recipes

PAN SEARED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Let the lamb chops sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Pat dry and season the lamb chops with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet or other heavy pan on medium-high heat until very hot. Add the olive oil and heat for a minute, then carefully place the lamb chops in the pan, leaving a little space between them.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes until seared on the bottom side, then flip with tongs and cook another 3-4 minutes on the other side to sear.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter, garlic, rosemary and thyme. Spoon the melted butter, garlic, and herbs over the lamb chops while continuing to cook for about 5 more minutes or until the temperature on a digital meat thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the lamb chops reaches 125 degrees F for medium-rare. See notes for additional information about cooking temperatures and degrees of doneness.
• Remove from the lamb chops from the heat, cover with a piece of foil, then let the meat rest for 10 minutes before serving.

PAN-ROASTED DOUBLE-CUT LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Cut each rack of lamb into 4 double chops of even thickness. Stir together 2 cups olive oil, the chopped rosemary and oregano, the garlic and 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper (or 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes) in a large bowl. Add the lamb chops, bones up, and rub the mixture evenly over the meat. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400˚. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and wipe off any excess marinade with a paper towel. Season generously with kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Heat an extra-large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the lamb, rounded fat-side down. Cook until well browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the chops on their sides in the skillet and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Turn the chops so the fat side is facing up and cook 2 to 3 more minutes. (It's OK if some of the bones are sticking out of the skillet to make space.) Carefully pour off the fat from the skillet and transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the center of the lamb registers 125˚ for medium-rare to medium doneness, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium-high heat; add the butter and rosemary and oregano sprigs to an open space in the pan. Let the butter melt and start to foam, then baste the chops with the butter a few times until well coated.
• Transfer the chops to a platter and top with any remaining butter from the skillet. Sprinkle with flaky salt and the remaining 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes). Garnish with rosemary and oregano sprigs.

SIMPLE GRILLED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Mix together the vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and olive oil in a large resealable bag until the salt has dissolved. Add lamb, toss until coated, and marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
• Remove lamb from the marinade and leave any onions on that stick to the meat. Discard any remaining marinade. Wrap the exposed ends of the bones with aluminum foil to keep them from burning. Grill to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium. The chops may also be broiled in the oven about 5 minutes per side for medium.

ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS WITH SWISS CHARD AND BALSAMIC SYRUP

Steps:

• Make syrup:
• Simmer syrup ingredients in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart nonreactive saucepan (see cooks' note, below) over moderate heat until just syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 8 minutes. Pour through a sieve into a small bowl, discarding rosemary and peppercorns.
• Sauté chard:
• Cut stems and center ribs from chard, discarding any tough portions, then cut stems and ribs crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Stack chard leaves and roll into cylinders. Cut cylinders crosswise to make 1-inch-wide strips.
• Cook onion and garlic in oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, about 4 minutes. Add chard stems and ribs, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until stems are just tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in chard leaves and water and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Broil chops while chard cooks:
• Preheat broiler. Sprinkle chops with garlic, salt, rosemary, and pepper, then broil on a lightly oiled broiler pan, 4 to 5 inches from heat, turning over once, for medium-rare, 6 to 7 minutes total. Serve chops and chard drizzled with balsamic syrup.