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Jun 18, 2019
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WINE WITH…Lamb Chops with Lavender Salt

Bill Ward, a wine writer (Minneapolis Star Tribune) and fellow judge at the recent Critics Challenge Competition, sent us this recipe with the promise that these are the world’s tastiest lamb chops.  “Better double the recipe,” he added. “They always go like mad.”  We made them recently and we agree enthusiastically that these chops really are pretty darn good.  We aren’t certain that the lavender sea salt is the key to success here or whether the fresh herb and olive oil marinade is what makes them so special, but whatever the explanation, these lamb chops taste terrific and are very wine-friendly to boot. 

Since our herb garden is in full spring production, we used fresh herbs in the marinade.  We bought sea salt and dried culinary lavender from our local Williams Sonoma shop.

Lamb Chops with Lavender Salt

Serves Four

8-10 lamb loin chops
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
2-4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1½ tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram and/or oregano
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
lavender salt*

About 6-8 hours ahead of time rub or brush both sides of each lamb chop with a generous amount of olive oil.  Salt and pepper both sides of the chops and press slices of garlic on them.  Combine the rosemary, thyme, and other herbs and distribute them over both sides of the chops.  Place the meat in a baking dish or other wide container; drizzle the rest of the oil over it; then cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.

To cook the chops, scrape off the garlic and some of the marinade while you are heating the grill, blotting the meat lightly with paper towel.  Grill the meat quickly, about 2-3 minutes per side.  Sprinkle a small amount of lavender salt over each chop and serve at once.

*To make your own lavender salt. mix together 1/2 cup of sea salt and 11/2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender.  Grind the mixture with a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder (We’ve also had reasonably good results using a wooden spoon).  Sprinkle the remaining lavender salt on sliced tomatoes or other summer produce as a side dish.


Connect  on Twitter:   @M_L_Thomas  and  @Wine_With_
More recipes and wine pairings:    Wine With...  

 

  

         Selection

 

 

Approx. Price

 

Comments

 

Domaine de Fenouillet,

Beaumes de Venise Rouge

Rhône Valley

(France)

2016

(Imported by Neal Rosenthal)

 

 

 

$19

 

Hailing from sunny southern France, this medium-weight red wine, with its silky texture and bright berry and cherry fruit flavors, seems designed to drink with lamb.

 

 

Jason Stephens,

Santa Clara Valley

(California)

Meritage

2014

 

 

$34

 

Jason Stephens’ deeply colored and robustly flavored red blend engages tastily with the forthright meaty and herbal components in these savory chops.

 

 

Raúl Pérez,

Bierzo

(Spain)

Mencia

“St. Jacques Ultreia”

2016

(Imported by Skurnik)

 

 

 

$25

 

Intense and mouth-filling, this intricately flavored Spanish beauty was one of our favorite matches with the equally flavorful lamb chops.

 

 

Rubus,

Barossa

(Australia)

Shiraz

2015

(Imported by Kysela Pere et Fils)

 

 

 

$21

 

Dark in color, richly concentrated, but soft on the palate, this Aussie Shiraz offers hints of blackberry and mint that make it an ideal wine to serve with lamb.

 

 

Zuccardi,

Valle de Uco

Mendoza

(Argentina”

Malbec

“Serie A”

2017

(Imported by Winesellers)

 

 

 

$15

 

This red wine’s clean, pure Malbec flavors (berries, dark, hints of chocolate and black licorice) and soft tannins make this an excellent choice to serve with lamb.