INGREDIENTS
For the Marinade:
1 ½ tablespoons finely minced fresh thyme
1 large peeled and small diced shallot
6 finely minced garlic cloves
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 ½ cups of olive oil + 1 tablespoon
10 4-ounce American lamb loin chops
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small peeled and small diced shallot
2 finely minced garlic cloves
½ cup red wine, I prefer merlot
3 cups good beef stock
1/3 cup dried cherries
1 teaspoon each finely minced fresh thyme, parsley, and chives
2 teaspoons of crushed pistachios
DIRECTIONS
Marinade: add the thyme, shallots, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a large bowl and whisk until combined. Set aside.
Transfer the lamb loin chops to a 13x9 casserole dish and pour the marinade over top. Move the lamb around to ensure they are completely coated. Cover the lamb with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours or overnight.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to lightly smoke. Remove some of the garlic and shallots off the lamb chops and place them in the pan making sure they are far enough apart so that the sear and not steam. Add in the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown on both sides. The USDA recommends cooking the lamb loin chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145° and then letting them rest for 3 minutes before serving. Set the seared lamb onto a plate and set aside.
Sauce: Remove the cooked oil from the pan and return it to the burner over medium heat and add in 1 tablespoons of butter with the shallots and garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds or until lightly browned and cooked.
Deglaze with the red wine and cook over medium-high heat until there is about 1 tablespoon remaining. Add in the beef stock and cook over high heat until it is reduced to ½ to ¾ cup in liquid amount.
Finish the sauce by adding in cherries, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, and herbs and mix until combined.
Add the lamb chops back in and heat over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes to warm back up.
Serve the lamb chops by sprinkling on the pistachios and add any additional chopped fresh herbs.
