Lamb Chops with Tomato-and-Potato Gratin |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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Tomatoes, rather than cream or stock, provide the moisture in this gratin. Dried rosemary and thyme not only perfume the potatoes, but taste delicious with the lamb. If you like, use rib instead of loin chops. Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil |
2 onions, cut into thin slices |
1 cup drained diced canned tomatoes |
3/4 teaspoon salt |
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled |
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme |
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper |
1/4 cup grated parmesan |
1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (about 2), peeled and cut into approximately 1/8-inch slices |
4 lamb loin chops, 1 1/2 inches thick (about 1 1/2 pounds in all), fat trimmed |
Directions:
1. Heat the oven to 450°. Oil an 8-by-11 1/2-inch baking pan or similarly sized gratin dish. In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
2. In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper, and the Parmesan. Spread half the tomato-and-onion mixture in the bottom of the baking dish; layer half the potatoes on top. Sprinkle half the Parmesan mixture over the potatoes. Repeat with the remaining tomatoes and onions, potatoes, and Parmesan. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, wipe out the frying pan and then heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in it over moderate heat. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper over the lamb chops. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chops from the pan.
4. Remove the baking dish from the oven and remove the aluminum foil. Put the lamb chops on top of the potatoes and return the dish to the oven. Cook until the meat and potatoes are just done, 10 to 12 minutes longer.
5. Wine Recommendation: Bordeaux is the classic choice with lamb chops. Though our perceptions of Bordeaux are often distorted by the wildly expensive cru classé wines, many wines from the region are both affordable and delicious. Look for the appellations Bordeaux Supérieur, Bourg, Blaye, and Fronsac.
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