This lamb chop recipe is big on flavor and short on time. The addition of pear and cheese elevates the butter to a tangy and sweet condiment for lamb chops. Pair it with a deliciously refreshing pomegranate and mint smash and you have a meal that is perfect for the holidays!
Pear & Gorgonzola Lamb Chops with a Pomegranate Vodka Smash
Equipment:
- Food processor
- Cast iron skillet or oven safe pan
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients:
- 4 6-ounce Harry & David Double-Cut Lamb Chops
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
- 6 ounces gorgonzola cheese (crumbled)
- 1 Harry & David Royal Riviera Pear (roughly chopped)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme (chopped)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the pomegranate smash
- ¼ cup Harry & David pomegranate seeds (plus more for garnish)
- 5 mint leaves
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces sparkling apple pomegranate juice
- ice to chill
Shopping List
Double-Cut Lamb Chops – Two 6-Ounce
The Favorite® Royal Riviera® Pears
Pomegranates and PersimmonsInstructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Take lamb out of the fridge and place on a plate. Pat each side dry with paper towels. Rub with the oil and season with salt and pepper and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Combine the butter, cheese, pear and thyme in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a large oven-safe pan to medium-high heat and carefully place 2 lamb chops at a time in the pan to sear. Avoid moving the chops so a crust can be formed. Once one side is dark brown remove to the plate and repeat with the remaining chops.
- Return chops to pan not seared side down and top each chop with a smear of butter (about 1 tablespoon). Place in the oven and heat until a thermometer reads 145˚ F for medium rare (about 10 minutes). Remove from the oven and let rest for at least 3 minutes before cutting.
For the pomegranate smash
- Add the seeds and 4 mint leaves to the bottom of a cocktail shaker and muddle until the juice releases from the seeds and the mint is bruised.
- Add the vodka and fill with ice. Seal the top, shake for 20 seconds and strain into a glass. Top with the sparkling juice. Garnish with remaining mint leaf and a few seeds.
Notes:
We recommend a side of roasted potatoes with this.
