As a second-generation Italian, Kristen Baffo learned early-on that all of life’s problems can be somehow cured by food. Rough day? Bolognese. Feeling ill? Chicken soup. Date night in? Lamb chops!
Food is Baffo’s love language; it’s something she has an immense passion for as a home cook, but most of all, it’s how she shows her love. With two little ones, date nights out to new restaurants are not always an option. So, when a date night in is on the calendar, she likes to make it special and whip up something she wouldn’t cook on her typical weekly menu.
Pan-Seared, Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops with Balsamic Reduction
Ingredients:
-
6 French-cut lamb chops
-
4 cloves of garlic
-
1 1/2 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
-
1 1/2 Tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
-
1 1/2 Tablespoon fresh basil, minced
-
Olive oil
-
Freshly-cracked pink himalayan sea salt and black pepper
-
1 cup balsamic vinegar
-
2 Tablespoon brown sugar
-
2 Tablespoon port wine
Method:
-
In a large dish, combine lamb chops, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil until well-coated. Using your hands, massage herbs and garlic into the chops until the herbs and garlic are evenly distributed.
-
Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
-
While chops are marinating, prepare the balsamic reduction. Combine balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and port wine in a saucepan. Stir together at medium-high heat and bring mixture to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low, allowing the sauce to simmer until reduced by half (about 15-20 minutes).
-
Coat a large cast iron skillet with olive oil and bring to high heat. Sear three lamb chops at a time for two minutes on each side for medium rare.
-
Remove and plate the chops once they are finished, allowing them to rest for five minutes under foil.
Sidebar:
Is your Valentine’s Day looking more like a heart-shaped pizza and some Netflix this year?
If so, try Baffo’s super simple lamb chop recipe instead. The simplicity of ingredients and fail-proof steps will impress not only your date but the pizza delivery guys, as well!
Baffo is the author of Sunday (a Millennial Italian American Wife’s Collection of Sunday Suppers Both Old and New), which will be released in the spring and available for pre-order, as well as the co-host of the culinary-centered podcast Serve, which is now streaming Season 1. Go to servepodcast.co to check it out.