Zesty Lamb Chops With Pesto Recipes

LAMB LOIN CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat grill on high.
• Rub the lamb with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper and salt. Rub mixture all over the lamb. Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
• While chops are resting, prepare the Mint Pesto.
• Grill the lamb chops 2 to 3 minutes per side, for medium rare.
• Serve the lamb chops with the Mint Pesto.
• Add the garlic to a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop. Add half of the herbs and chop for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the herbs and chop. Add in the Parmesan and salt and pepper, pulse briefly until combined. While machine is running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream and process to desired thickness.

LAMB CHOPS WITH PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium. Pat-dry lamb with paper towels. Season chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook (in two batches, if necessary) 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare. Serve immediately, topped with pesto.
• Parsley Pesto
• In a food processor, finely chop parsley, cheese, and garlic. With the motor running, add oil in a slow, steady stream; season with pepper. Serve immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and cover with a thin layer of oil; refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT-WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Position a broiler pan 4 to 6 inches from the broiler and heat. Brush the chops lightly with some of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Carefully lay the chops on the hot pan and broil, turning once about halfway through cooking; 7 minutes for rare, 8 for medium, and 9 for well-done. Remove from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes.
• Divide the chops between 2 plates and spoon about 1 tablespoon of pesto over each chop; serve.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes, shaking occasionally to brown evenly. Let cool.
• In a food processor, puree the nuts, mint, parsley, cheese, garlic, and salt. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil until incorporated. Transfer the pesto to a container, place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• MINT PESTO:.
• In a blender or food processor add all the ingredients except the oil for the pesto, Puree this mixture while gradually adding the oil through the feeding tube, and continue mixing until an even, smooth consistency is reached. Reserve 1/2 cup for basting and dipping and set aside for later.
• Place the cut chops in a resealable plastic bag and pour the pesto sauce overtop. Seal the bag and toss gently to coat the lamb chops evenly. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 5 hours.
• When ready, preheat the barbecue to medium high heat, 375°F.
• Remove lamb from marinade, wipe off the excess marinade from the bones to avoid them burning, but leave the marinade on the meat. Brush each chop with a small amount of olive il to help prevent the meat from sticking on the grill and season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper.
• Rub or spray your grill with oil to again help prevent the meat from sticking to the grates. Place chops directly on the grill and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, basting every two minutes for medium rare, or adjust length to personal desired doneness.
• Remove the meat from the grill, place on a plate/platter and loosely cover with foil. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes eefore serving with remaining pesto as a dipping sauce.
• TIP: When grilling lamb on the bone you can cover the bones with foil to prevent burning.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH TOASTED HAZELNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the pesto: Place hazelnuts on sheet tray and toast in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden. Let cool. Place hazelnuts, garlic, and basil in the bowl of a food processor. With the motor on, add oil in a steady stream and process until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Set aside.
• For the lamb chops: Season chops generously with salt and pepper. Add the oil to a cast-iron pan set over medium heat. When oil is very warm, but not too hot, add the butter; when foaming, add the chops flat-side down. Cook until chops are brown and crispy, about 3 minutes per side.
• To serve, top each chop with approximately 1 tablespoon of the pesto.

LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the lamb chops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
• Grill the chops 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until desired doneness is reached. Remove the chops to a plate and let rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
• Place the chops on a platter and pour any juices that accumulated back over the chops. Spoon the Mint Pesto over and serve.
• Add the mint, basil, walnuts, garlic, red pepper and Parmesan to a food processor. Pulse until the herbs are finely chopped. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream. Add the salt, pepper and lemon zest and pulse until combined. Set aside with plastic wrap set directly over the surface.

RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the mint, basil, nuts, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually blend in 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Generously sprinkle the lamb racks with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a grill pan or heavy large skillet over high heat. Place 1 lamb rack in the skillet and cook just until brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the lamb rack meat side up on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 2 lamb racks.
• Roast the lamb in the oven until cooked to desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb racks to a work surface. Set aside for 10 minutes. Cut the lamb between the bones into single chops. Spread the pesto over 1 cut side of each chop. Arrange the chops, pesto side up, on plates or a platter, and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The pesto and lamb racks may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover the pesto and lamb separately and refrigerate. Allow extra time for the chilled lamb to roast.
• Alternately, the racks of lamb can be sliced then broiled before serving. To broil the lamb: Use 18 to 24 meaty single lamb rib chops (about 2 1/2 ounces each, from 3 racks of lamb). Preheat the broiler. Arrange the lamb chops in a single layer over 2 heavy baking sheets. Lightly brush the lamb chops with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Watching closely, broil the lamb chops 3 inches from the heat source until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Spread the pesto over the chops. Arrange the chops pesto side up on plates or a platter, and serve.
• RECOMMENDED WINE #1: Boroli Barolo 1998
• REGION/ORIGIN: Barolo, Piedmont
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
• RECOMMENDED WINE #2: Avignonesi Vino Nobile d'Montepulciano 2001
• REGION/ORIGIN: Montepulciano, Tuscany
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile - local clone of sangiovese)

ROASTED LAMB CHOPS WITH ORANGE, GARLIC AND ROSEMARY PESTO RUB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the garlic, orange zest, rosemary, salt, pepper and olive oil in a small bowl, and stir until combined. Rub the lamb with the garlic mixture, gently pressing it into the meat. Place the lamb, meat side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes. (This is a good time to start the creme fraiche potatoes.) Roast lamb in the center of the oven ‑- 15 to 20 minutes for rare (the internal temperature on a meat thermometer will read 125 degrees F), 20 to 30 minutes for medium rare (135 degrees F), 25 to 35 minutes for medium (145 degrees F).
• Cover the surface of the platter with rosemary. Slice the rack into chops at the table, and serve.