I used to feel hesitant about cooking lamb rib chops because they’re more expensive than other cuts like shank and shoulder chops. Therefore I wanted to be sure I didn’t mess up. Once I came to realize that it’s essentially like cooking a steak, I gained more confidence. You can learn how to cook lamb chops perfectly too.
What do I mean when I say it’s like cooking steak? I mean that with a tender cut of meat such as these, medium/medium rare is desirable. Therefore, searing at high heat with maybe a quick stint in the oven is all that is necessary before letting them rest briefly before serving. Again, I am talking about basic principles of cooking here; not recipes. Are you with me?
If you have time to marinate the chops, you can add even more flavor. Even if you only do so an hour before cooking, letting them come to room temperature, you will be glad you did. What should you put on them? Oh, let me count the ways…Here’s what I used this time:
- garlic
- grapeseed oil
- dried oregano
- dried sage
- a touch of mustard powder
How To Cook Lamb Chops
First I preheated the oven to 350. I decided to sear these 1 1/2 chops in a screaming hot skillet for 3 minutes on one side. I flipped them over and after about a minute, put the skillet into the oven for 5 minutes. They rested while I took the picture and then we devoured these perfectly tasty, meaty treats.
What if your chops aren’t as meaty? A bit smaller? Adjust the way you handle them. They might not need time in the oven at all. About 3 minutes on each side in the skillet is a good baseline for me to think about, but if they’re really scrawny, 2 might be sufficient. Develop your intuition. Pay attention to how they look, smell and feel.
I know that serving with asparagus would be more indicative of spring and I love asparagus. But it does change the taste of the wine and if I’m going for the gusto with lamb rib chops, you can be sure a good red wine is on the menu. So I don’t want to spoil it!
What do you think of those scalloped potatoes? Read about them here and let me know how you make them your own.