Cooking lamb chops on the griddle is the perfect way to prepare them; the meat stays juicy and tender and the fat runs into the grooves of the pan.
In my opinion, mint and green beans are a great flavour match for a lamb recipe, so I’ve created this tangy chutney to serve alongside, making this is a lovely midweek supper.
Buttered new potatoes or some mash would also not go amiss.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
– 250g fine green beans
– 8 loin lamb chops
– Olive oil, for brushing
– Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Mint Purée
– 30g fresh mint, leaves picked
– 3 garlic cloves, 2 roughly chopped and 1 left whole
– 50ml rapeseed oil
Shallot Chutney
– 3 large banana shallots, chopped
– 200ml malt vinegar, plus 1 tbsp
– 50g capers
– 30g caster sugar
– 2 tsp nigella seeds
Method:
1. To make the mint mixture, bring a pan of water to the boil. Blanch the mint leaves and roughly chopped garlic for 30 seconds. Drain and refresh in ice-cold water.
2. Put in a mini blender and blitz to a smooth purée while adding the oil. Once done, finely grate the whole garlic into it (ideally, use a Microplane grater) and stir through. Season and set aside.
3. To prepare the beans, blanch them in a pan of boiling water for 4 minutes and refresh in ice-cold water. Drain and finely chop.
4. Add to the mint purée, mix together and set aside.
5. To make the shallot chutney, put the shallots, 200ml vinegar, capers, caster sugar, nigella seeds and 75ml of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and allow to reduce until there is no liquid remaining.
6. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of vinegar and set aside.
7. Heat a griddle pan over high heat until very hot. Brush the lamb chops all over with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
8. Sit the chops fat-side down on the griddle, leaning them up against each other for support.
9. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the fat renders and becomes crisp. Lay the chops flat on their sides and cook for 4–5 minutes each side, basting with the rendered fat.
10. Remove and allow the chops to rest for 5 minutes. Add a little more seasoning to the bean and mint mixture if you like, then spoon on to plates with the rested lamb chops.
11. Drizzle the shallot chutney over the top.
Marcus Wareing is one of the most respected and acclaimed chefs in Britain today. Owning three restaurants, two being two Michelin-starred Marcus has a long list of awards, including Restaurateur of the Year and Young Chef of the Year. Marcus is also a judge on of MasterChef: The Professionals, where he can showcase his tips and tricks to contestants and viewers. Marcus at Home focuses on great flavours and his recipes will become favorites in you home. It contains food you can make in a rush or when you want to create a showstopping meal.
Marcus at Home by Marcus Wareing is published by Harper Collins Publishers and available to buy on Amazon.
Marcus Wareing Marcus Wareing