Simply Luxurious Lamb Cho...

Recipe by: Fred Thompson | from Grillin' with Gas

Cookstr

Course: Main Course

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Joseph DeLeo

Simply Luxurious Lamb Chops with Rhubarb-Chutney Sauce

Yield: Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

For the rhubarb-chutney sauce:

4 cups thawed and drained frozen rhubarb, or about 6 stalks fresh rhubarb
1 large onion, chopped
1/3 cup honey, or more to taste
¼ cup apple-cider or sherry vinegar
½ cup golden raisins
1 fresh jalapeño chile, seeded and coarsely chopped, or more to taste (wear gloves to prevent irritation)
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
8 whole cardamom pods (white or green), tied together in cheesecloth or in a tea ball
½ cup water
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Twelve 4-ounce loin or rib lamb chops, trimmed of fat and cut about 1 inch thick

2 garlic cloves, cut into slivers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black peppercorns (see Notes)

Directions

Direct Heat

1. To make the chutney, stir together the rhubarb, onion, honey, vinegar, raisins, jalapeño, garlic, and the cardamom bag in a medium saucepan. Add the water, place over medium-high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rhubarb is extremely tender. Taste it to see whether you want it sweeter or hotter. If the rhubarb is especially tart, add more honey. Stir in a teaspoon and then taste. If the chutney seems mild, add 1 or 2 more chopped jalapeños. If you add either, continue cooking for another 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from the heat, fish out the cheesecloth bag, and stir in the cilantro. Serve this chutney warm, at room temperature, or cold.

2. Pat the lamb chops dry. Insert slivers of garlic into each one by making small cuts with a paring knife and poking in the garlic. Brush the tops lightly with half the olive oil, and pat on half the cracked peppercorns. Turn the chops over, brush with the remaining oil, and press in the remaining pepper. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

3. Oil the grill racks. Preheat your grill using all burners set on high and with the lid closed for 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Place the lamb chops on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. The lamb should give slightly when touched with your finger, indicating medium-rare to medium, or the internal temperature should register 135°F to 140°F. You don’t want to overcook. Remove to a platter and pass the rhubarb chutney.

Notes

Cracked Peppercorns:

The flavor and texture of freshly cracked peppercorns—or any whole spice—can add volumes of taste and texture to any dish, and you won’t get the same result by just using your coarse setting on your pepper mill or by purchasing cracked peppercorns. Pour out the whole peppercorns onto a cutting board or flat surface. Grab a heavy skillet or saucepan and place it directly over the peppercorns. Using your weight, lean hands first into the skillet or pan until you hear a little cracking. This is only the first step. We flatten the peppercorns out enough so that they won’t go rolling all over the kitchen counter.

Using the edge of the skillet or pan and leaning your weight into it, continue cracking the peppercorns several at a time until you’ve gone through all of them. It’s a simple process, and after you’ve done it a few times you probably won’t have to sweep the kitchen floor afterward.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 720kcal (36%)

Sodium 76mg (3%)

Total Carbohydrate 34g

Fiber 3g

Fat 54g (82%)

Trans Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 27g (135%)

Monounsaturated Fat 21g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 136mg (45%)