Rosemary Lamb Chops with Asparagus

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken stock or broth, divided
• 1/2 onion, chopped, plus 1/2 onion, sliced
• Kosher salt
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed (about 16 spears)
• 1 pound kale, cleaned and trimmed
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for sauteing
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Essence, recipe follows
• 8 loin lamb chops
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Combine water, white wine, 1/2 cup chicken stock, the 1/2 chopped onion, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer and add asparagus. Cook for 1 minute and then top with kale. Stir to combine and continue cooking until asparagus are tender. Remove from heat and keep warm.

In a dish large enough to hold the lamb chops in a single layer, combine 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and Essence. Add the lamb, turn to coat with the marinade and set aside for about 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chops with salt and pepper and saute for about 2 to 3 minutes on 1 side. Turn, season again, and add rosemary, garlic, and sliced onion. Continue cooking until just firm and an instant-read thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees F, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove chops to a platter and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock and red wine. Scrape up the browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add lemon juice and simmer until the mixture is reduced to a glaze, about 4 minutes. Add butter and swirl to thicken. Add the asparagus and kale mixture and toss to heat through.

Serve 2 lamb chops per person. Drizzle with sauce and serve with the asparagus and kale on the side.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.