GARLIC-FENNEL LAMB CHOPS

 

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 4 lamb rib chops, cut about 1 inch thick and trimmed of all fat
• For the rub, in a small bowl, combine garlic, fennel seeds, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle rub evenly over all sides of chops; rub in with your fingers. Place lamb chops on a plate; cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

  Place lamb chops on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill until desired doneness, turning once. Allow 12 to 14 minutes for medium-rare doneness (145 degrees F) or 15 to 17 minutes for medium doneness (160 degrees F). 
• Yield: 2 servings
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• file photo

ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS WITH LEMON SAUCE

I have never cooked lamb, but I know some of you like lamb, especially at Easter time.  I got this recipe recently from Campbell's and thought I would pass it on to you readers.

6 lamb chops (about 3/4-inch thick)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1 tsp lemon zest
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup chicken Stock
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
Heat the broiler.

Season the lamb with the rosemary; place on a rack in a broiler pan.                                                   

Broil for 10 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, turning the lamb over once halfway through the broiling time.                                                   

Stir the broth and cornstarch in a 1-quart saucepan until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils and thickens. Serve with the lamb. (Of course, you can serve yours without the sauce if you are worried about the cornstarch. It is so little per serving it shouldn't be a problem for a diabetic whose blood sugar is controlled.)

This is the file photo.

CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Note:  Ask your butcher to 'French' the racks for you.

2 (8 rib) lamb roasts, butcher frenched
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive or canola oil
1/2 cup fresh whole-grain or low carb breadcrumbs
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp olive oil mayonnaise
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Fresh rosemary for garnish, if desired

Pat the lamb dry using paper towels and season with the first listed salt and pepper.  Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat.  Cook the lamb rack in the hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned on both sides.  Place the lamb on a rack in a broiler pan.

In a small bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a different small bowl.  Brush mixture over the meaty top side of the racks; pat the herb mixture onto the mayonnaise mixture to hold in place.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the rack registers 145 degrees for medium rare.  Remove from oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes.  Garnish the platter with the fresh rosemary, if desired.

To serve, cut each rack into 4 double chops.

Yield: 8 servings

 Note: File Photo

HERBED LAMB CHOPS

First of all, I am not much of a meat eater.  Secondly, my family doesn't eat lamb.  But I do get requests from time to time for lamb recipes.  For those of you who enjoy lamb, I was given this recipe to share with you.  I have not tried this recipe so I cannot say anything about it good or bad. 

Sauce:
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup minced fresh oregano
1/4 cup packed fresh parsley springs, stems removed
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbsp water
6 garlic cloves
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
dash of freshly ground black pepper

Chops:
8 lamb loin chops (approx 1 1/2 lbs total)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

To make the sauce:  In a food processor, combine all the sauce ingredients; cover and pulse until blended.  Set aside half the sauce for later use.  Brush the remaining half of the sauce over the chops and sprinkle with the salt and pepper in the chops part of the recipe.

In a large nonstick skillet that has been coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook the chops in the olive oil over medium heat.  Cook 7 to 10 minutes per side or until the meat reaches the desired doneness.  (For a medium-rare chop a meat thermometer should read at least 145 degrees.)

Serve the chops with the remaining sauce you set aside.
Per serving of 2 chops with 4 tsp sauce: 236 calories, 14 g (3 sat) fat, 5 g carbs, 22 g protein

 Note: This is a file photo for reference only.

GARLIC-ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS

4 lamb chops (about 2 lb total)

1 tablespoon snipped fresh rosemary
3 minced garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish, optional

Arrange oven rack so that the chops will be 4 to 5-inches from heat when cooked on a broiler rack.
Preheat broiler.
Spray top of broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  Rub half the mixture evenly over both sides of the chops.  Broil chops approximately 20 minutes (or until of desired doneness), turning occasionally for even cooking.

While chops are cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  add the tomatoes and the remaining spice mixture; cook approximately 5 minutes  or just until the tomatoes begin to soften.  Stir in the vinegar.

Serve the chops with the tomatoes and sprinkle with rosemary sprigs for garnish, if desired.

Note: This is a file photo.

Personal note: I don't care for much meat and my family doesn't eat lamb so I have never made this recipe. I posted it for those of you who request lamb recipes.

PERINI RANCH STEAKHOUSE RUB

This is the house rub at the Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, Texas. This is not only used on steaks but on lamb chops and ribs.

1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp coarsely ground sea salt
4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
4 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp granulated beef stock base

Mix ingredients together; sprinkle or rub into meat.

Store in an airtight container.

Yield: 1/2 cup

 Grilled Lamb Chops with this rub from Perini Ranch Steakhouse.

BROILED LEMON LAMB CHOPS

8 lamb chops

1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp grated lemon rind

Combine the oil, lemon, and rind in a cup or small bowl; brush on the chops.

Broil chops 4-inches from the heat for 7 to 10 minutes on each side. Baste occasionally with the lemon/oil mixture.

Note: File Photo