Spiced Lamb Chops with Gremolata

PersonalPoints™ per serving

Total Time: 18 min

Prep: 12 min

Cook: 6 min

Serves: 2

Easy

Making dinner for a special someone? This dish will delight with bold flavors and pull all the right heartstrings. Gremolata, an Italian condiment full of bright and sharp flavor, is the star of the dish. A combination of fresh, raw parsley, lemon zest, salt and garlic, gremolata adds a lightness to the hearty lamb chops and cuts their richness beautifully. If raw garlic makes you a little apprehensive, don't worry. The fresh parsley and lemon add the balance to its sharp and pungent nature. Serve these chops with whipped sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus for a full plate. Ready in only 18 minutes, these chops are simple enough for any night of the week and can be cooked on an outdoor grill or grill pan, using the same temperature and time as directed for the skillet.

Ingredients

2 tbsp fresh parsley, flat leaf, finely chopped
1½ tsp lemon zest, freshly grated
½ medium garlic clove, finely chopped
1 pinch kosher salt
½ tsp paprika, smoked variety
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
10 oz trimmed uncooked bone-in baby lamb chops, four 1-in-thick chops, bones frenched
½ tsp olive oil

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together parsley, zest, garlic, and pinch salt to make gremolata; set aside.
In a second small bowl, mix together paprika, cumin, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper; rub the mixture into both sides of lamb chops.
Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking; add lamb chops, cut side down (season lamb with salt if desired). Reduce heat to medium; cook 3 minutes on the first side and 2-3 minutes on the second side for medium-rare (or longer for the desired degree of doneness). Transfer to serving plates; sprinkle with gremolata.
Serving Size: 2 lamb chops, 1 1/2 tbsp gremolata.

Notes

*If the center of your garlic clove contains a green shoot (aka the germ), remove and discard it for a fresher, cleaner garlic taste. The difference is especially evident when you are using garlic raw, though you apply the practice to both raw and cooked dishes. *Spanish smoked paprika comes in 3 different varieties, ranging from sweet to moderately spicy. Any of the 3 can be used for this dish.