Lamb Chops With Mint Pesto Recipes

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Mix the olive oil, mint, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste in a bowl. Rub the lamb chops all over with the garlic. Transfer a few tablespoons of the mint oil to a small bowl and brush on the chops.
• Grill the chops until charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Press the middle of a chop with your finger: It should be slightly firm with a little give for medium-rare doneness.) Transfer to a platter and brush with some of the remaining mint oil. Sprinkle with mint and serve with more mint oil.

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 RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Let the lamb come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before you are ready to roast. Season the lamb on all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with a heatproof handle over medium-high heat. Put the rack into the pan, fat side down, and sear it until it is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the rack over and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Put the pan into the oven, and roast the lamb until it is medium-rare, or until the internal temperature reaches 125 to 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the lamb from the oven, cover it with foil, and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into chops. Serve with the Mint Pesto.
• Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is almost smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste. The pesto may be made 1 day ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring the pesto to room temperature before serving.

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.

LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT ALMOND PESTO

Steps:

• Put the mint, almonds, zest, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, add the lemon juice and slowly drizzle in the oil until thick and smooth. Add about 2 tablespoons water until a thick but spreadable paste forms; continue adding water until desired consistency. Taste pesto and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Generously drizzle the lamb chops with oil and season well with salt and pepper. Grill, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare; remove to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Serve the grilled chops with mint pesto drizzled over the top.

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.