Lamb Shoulder Chops with Red Wine
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 4 servings
- Calories
- 871
- Total Fat
- 57
- Saturated Fat
- 25
- Carbohydrates
- 32
- Dietary Fiber
- 3
- Sugar
- 12
- Protein
- 39
- Cholesterol
- 177
- Sodium
- 1062
- Total: 7 hr 30 min
- Prep: 45 min
- Inactive: 3 hr
- Cook: 3 hr 45 min
Ingredients
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 (8 to 12-ounce) lamb shoulder blade chops
16 ounces red wine blend, plus 1 tablespoon (recommended: Syrah, Grenache or Mourvedre)
4 large sprigs fresh rosemary, plus 1 teaspoon chopped leaves
3 ounces dried plums, finely chopped
3 ounces dried apricots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into several small pieces
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Put a 10-inch straight-sided saute pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Toss the lamb with the vegetable oil in a medium mixing bowl. When the pan is hot, sear the lamb for 1 minute on each side. Remove to a plate and cool for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the meat to a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag, then pour in the 16 ounces of wine and 4 rosemary sprigs. Remove as much air as possible so that the wine is completely surrounding the meat. Put the bag in a container to prevent leaks and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
- Transfer the contents of the bag back to the 10-inch straight-sided saute pan and cover. Put the pan on the middle rack of the oven and braise until the meat is tender and falling away from the bone, about 3 1/2 hours.
- Remove the meat from the oven to a platter. Discard the rosemary. Cover the meat with aluminum foil to keep warm while finishing the sauce.
- Pour the pan juices into a gravy separator and allow it to separate before pouring 2 cups of the liquid back into the pan. Set the pan over medium-low heat and add the dried plums and apricots. Simmer, whisking frequently, until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Whisk in the butter 1 piece at a time, adding another piece only after the previous piece has melted. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon of wine and the remaining chopped rosemary and continue to cook for another minute. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper, if needed.
- Pour the sauce over the meat and serve immediately.