Lamb Chops A La Pizzaiola Recipes

PORK CHOPS ALLA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook until they are brown and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted horizontally into the pork registers 160 degrees F, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and tent with foil to keep them warm.
• Add the onion to the same skillet and saute over medium heat until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, herbes de Provence, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend and the juices thicken slightly, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and more red pepper flakes. Return the pork chops and any accumulated juices from the plate to the skillet and turn the pork chops to coat with the sauce.
• Place 1 pork chop on each plate. Spoon the sauce over the pork chops. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

LAMB SHOULDER CHOPS PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Prepare seasoned flour by mixing all flour ingredients together in a bowl.
• Cover chops with the seasoned flour.
• Heat 3 of the tablespoons olive oil in a sillet and brown chops on both sides.
• Remove browned chops to a plate and discard fat left in skillet.
• To skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoons oil and heat it.
• Add tomato paste, onions, garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Add white wine, crushed tomatoes and oregano.
• Return chops to skillet, cover and braise over low heat for 45 minutes or until tender.
• Remove chops, top with cheese and keep warm in oven until melted.
• Serve immediateley.

MEATBALLS A LA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a food processor, pulse together the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and salt. Process until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and pork and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Form the mixture into 36 equal-size meatballs (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter).
• Insert 1 cube smoked mozzarella cheese into the center of each meatball and form the meat around it, completely enclosing the cheese.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat half the oil over medium heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining oil and meatballs.
• Place the browned meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes for medium doneness. Set aside to cool slightly, and serve with warm marinara sauce.

PORK CHOPS PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Cook the sausages: Heat a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat. When the skillet is hot, use a pair of metal tongs to arrange the sausages in a single layer. (There is no need for oil as the sausages will soon start to render their grease.) Turn the heat to medium and brown the sausages on all sides, taking care that they are cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Remove the sausages to a medium bowl. Pour off the grease and add the wine, simmering over medium heat to reduce to about 1/4 cup liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the reduced wine over the sausages and wipe the skillet clean.
• Cook the pork chops: Add the canola oil to the same skillet. Sprinkle the pork chops on all sides with salt. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the pork chops in a single layer and brown on all sides over medium heat, 5 to 8 minutes total. Remove the pork chops to the bowl with the sausages. Leave the grease in the skillet.
• Make the sauce: Stir the onions and garlic into the same skillet and cook over medium-low heat until translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt. Stir in the canned and cherry tomatoes with 1/2 cup water and simmer gently until the sauce is somewhat thick and tasty, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir the sausages and pork (and any meat juices) back into the sauce and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in the cheese, red wine vinegar and basil leaves. Taste for seasoning.
• Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add a generous handful of salt and bring the water back to a boil. Taste the water. It should be salty like seawater. Add the pasta and stir with a large slotted spoon to ensure the pasta does not stick as it cooks. Cook until still quite firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Finish the dish: Spoon the meat over the pasta in individual bowls or serve in a large bowl, family style. You can also just leave the pot of meat and sauce and the pasta separate and let people serve themselves.

LAMB CHOPS A LA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Season lamb, if desired, with salt and black pepper. In 12-inch cast iron or oven-proof skillet, brown lamb. Place skillet in oven and roast until desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium. Remove from oven and let stand. Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium heat and cook red pepper with onion, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Season, if desired, with salt and black pepper. Stir in wine and reduce by half. Stir in broth and reduce by half. Stir in Sauce; heat through. Stir in olives, cherry peppers and parsley. Slice lamb. Serve, if desired, on Soft Polenta* with red pepper mixture. *SOFT POLENTA: In 1-quart saucepan, bring 1-2/3 cups water and 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. With wire whisk, slowly stir in 1/4 cup PLUS 1 Tbsp. fine quick-cooking polenta and simmer, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until polenta is done. Stir in 1/4 cup butter and 1/3 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Season, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper.

LAMB CHOPS AU POIVRE

Steps:

• Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to coarsely crush peppercorns, coriander and mustard and fennel seeds. Coat lamb chops on both sides, pressing the spices into the meat. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 3 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
• In a cast-iron skillet, heat oil on medium. Add chops and cook 7 minutes on one side. Turn chops, cover pan and cook about another 7 minutes for medium-rare, or until done to taste. Remove to a warm serving platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Pour off excess fat from pan. Add butter and cook on low until melted. Add shallots and cook on low until soft. Add stock, Cognac and creme fraiche and cook on medium, stirring, until sauce has thickened somewhat, about a minute. Season with salt.
• Place 2 chops on each of 2 dinner plates. Spoon sauce over and around. Scatter parsley on top and serve.