Table for Two Lamb Loin Chops with Madeira and Cherries
For those that don't have a lot of experience cooking with lamb, determining when it is done is the biggest challenge. Don't rely on guesswork, a good meat thermometer will provide reliable results. Do not cut into a roast or chop to check doneness. Use an instant read thermometer to give you a quick, accurate reading.
Recipe Ingredients:
4 American Lamb loin chops, cut 1-1/4-inch thick, trimmed
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil - divided use
2 1/2 teaspoons dried tarragon leaves, crushed - divided use
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/3 cup Madeira sweet wine or fat-free chicken broth
1/3 cup dried cherries, finely chopped
1/2 cup fat-free chicken broth
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel (additional peel for garnish)
1 tablespoon butter, cut in half
Cooking Directions:
- In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, 1-1/2 teaspoons tarragon, garlic, salt and pepper. Place lamb chops in sealable plastic bag and pour in marinade. Rotate bag to coat chops. Refrigerate for 2 hours to marinate.
- Remove chops from marinade and discard marinade. Pat chops dry with paper towels. In large nonstick skillet with cover, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Brown chops for 2 minutes on each side. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning twice, or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from pan, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.
- Pour off liquid from pan. Add Madera and cherries; cook 3 to 4 minutes until liquid is almost absorbed. Stir in broth, remaining 1 teaspoon of tarragon and lemon peel; cook additional 2 minutes. Mix in butter and stir until sauce looks shiny. Serve sauce on plates and top with two lamb chops, garnish with grated lemon peel.
Makes 2 servings.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 of recipe): 571 calories, 30 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 41 g total fat, (65% calories from fat), 120 mg cholesterol, 0.44 g fiber, 1111 mg sodium, 8 mg niacin, 0.17 mg vitamin B6, 2.64 mcg vitamin B12, 3 mg iron, 4 mg zinc.
Recipe and image provided by the American Lamb Board and Chef Tim Love, winner of Iron Chef Chili Cook-off, is best known for his farmers market cattle drives featured on The Today Show and Food Network. Love’s flagship restaurant, The Lonesome Dove in Fort Worth, Texas, has earned him critical acclaim. In 2007, he opened his fourth restaurant, The Love Shack. For more information visit https://lamb101.blogspot.com/