Description
Succulent lamb chops from Mediterranean kitchens dance with rich garlic butter, promising a luxurious dining experience. Herbal notes and golden seared edges invite diners to savor each tender, perfectly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) lamb chops, 1-1.25 inches thick
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- Coarse salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2–3 large garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Extract lamb chops from refrigerator approximately 40 minutes prior to cooking, enabling them to reach ambient temperature for uniform heat distribution.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly blot lamb chops, eliminating excess moisture for optimal browning potential.
- Generously season both surfaces of lamb chops with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Position cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, incorporating olive oil to create a searing environment.
- Carefully place seasoned lamb chops into preheated skillet, allowing each side to caramelize for 3-4 minutes, developing a rich golden-brown exterior.
- Introduce unsalted butter, finely chopped garlic, and fragrant thyme sprigs into the skillet once meat achieves desired color.
- Gently tilt skillet, allowing melted butter and aromatics to coat lamb chops thoroughly, enhancing flavor profile.
- Utilize cooking spoon to continuously bathe lamb chops in garlic-infused butter, promoting moisture retention and intensifying taste.
- Monitor internal temperature using meat thermometer: 125°F (50°C) for rare, 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare, 135-140°F (57-60°C) for medium, 145°F (63°C) for medium-well.
- Transfer lamb chops to serving platter, loosely tent with aluminum foil, and allow 8-10 minutes resting period for juice redistribution.
- Before presentation, drizzle accumulated pan juices and residual herbed butter over lamb chops, amplifying final culinary experience.
Notes
- Bring lamb chops to room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and optimal tenderness.
- Pat meat completely dry to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and seal in delicious flavors.
- Use a hot cast iron skillet for creating a beautiful crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
- Baste lamb chops continuously with garlic butter to enhance moisture and infuse rich, aromatic taste.
- Monitor internal temperature closely for precise doneness, understanding each temperature range creates different meat textures.
- Allow chops to rest after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and guarantees a succulent, mouthwatering result.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg