Braised Lamb Shoulder Chops with Capers, Balsamic Vinegar, and Red Peppers
By America's Test KitchenPublished on September 15, 2011
Time
55 minutes
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 lamb shoulder chops, about ¾ inch thick, trimmed of external fatSalt and ground black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped fine1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small2 small cloves garlic, minced⅓ cup dry red wine 1 cup canned tomatoes packed in puree, chopped2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves 2 tablespoons capers, drained2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Before You Begin
Because they are generally leaner, round bone chops, also called arm chops, are preferable for this braise (see “Which Chop’s the Best?”). If available, however, lean blade chops also braise nicely.
Instructions
- Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed nonreactive skillet over medium-high heat. Cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, add chops; sauté until brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside.
- Pour fat from pan; return pan to medium heat, adding remaining tablespoon of oil. Add onion and pepper; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Add wine; simmer until reduced by half, scraping browned bits from pan bottom with wooden spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, then return chops to pan. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until chops are cooked through but tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer chops to each of four plates. Stir parsley, capers, and balsamic vinegar into braising liquid; simmer until sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust seasonings, spoon portion of sauce over each chop, and serve.
Time
55 minutesYield
Serves 4Ingredients
4 lamb shoulder chops, about ¾ inch thick, trimmed of external fat
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
2 small cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup dry red wine
1 cup canned tomatoes packed in puree, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Ingredients
4 lamb shoulder chops, about ¾ inch thick, trimmed of external fat
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
2 small cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup dry red wine
1 cup canned tomatoes packed in puree, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Ingredients
4 lamb shoulder chops, about ¾ inch thick, trimmed of external fat
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced small
2 small cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup dry red wine
1 cup canned tomatoes packed in puree, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Why This Recipe Works
Because shoulder chops are not a tough cut of meat, they didn’t need to cook for a long time for the sake of tenderness. We tried a much shorter braise than usual for our lamb chops—just enough to cook the meat. After just 15 to 20 minutes, the lamb was tender, and the much-anticipated sauce we made with the deglazing liquid was delicious.
Before You Begin
Because they are generally leaner, round bone chops, also called arm chops, are preferable for this braise (see “Which Chop’s the Best?”). If available, however, lean blade chops also braise nicely.
Instructions
- Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in 12-inch heavy-bottomed nonreactive skillet over medium-high heat. Cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, add chops; sauté until brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside.
- Pour fat from pan; return pan to medium heat, adding remaining tablespoon of oil. Add onion and pepper; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Add wine; simmer until reduced by half, scraping browned bits from pan bottom with wooden spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, then return chops to pan. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until chops are cooked through but tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer chops to each of four plates. Stir parsley, capers, and balsamic vinegar into braising liquid; simmer until sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust seasonings, spoon portion of sauce over each chop, and serve.
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