topic Re: Lamb Chops!!!! in Recipes

Lamb Chops!!!!

BiggsE — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:14:19 GMT

I recently purchased lamb chops for the first time in years. It's been years since I purchased or ate any. Years ago, I'd been accustomed to buying a leg of lamb and roasting it around the Easter Holiday.

I think I bought a cut of the lamb that wasn't the best in the world, because they were tough and chewy. I don't recall ever having gone through that when cooking them years ago. I pre-soaked them to get some of the imported gamey taste out. It helped and the Australian chops were tasteful after, however they were tough.

Fellow foodies, can you provide any advice on cuts to buy? I did search and I found a lot of recipes, but that's not what I need. I want to know if my soaking them in milk could have made them tougher also?

Thank you in advance.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Kachina624 — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:33:37 GMT

I doubt the milk would have made it tough. I always soak beef liver overnight in milk and it's never tough.

I love lamb but always order it in restaurants and never cook it myself.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

mspatmac — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:36:53 GMT

@BiggsE I happen to really love lamb chops and always buy the small loin ones. The loin is also a very tender, prized section of the lamb, usually sold cut into chops. I have grilled, broiled, seared and finished in oven and they always turn out great. Lots of good recipes on line.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

gaga — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:47:49 GMT

I love Lamb Chops & always make Leg Of Lamb for Easter . I'm a Butcher's Daughter & we always had Shoulder & Loin Chops. I marinate mine in a bit of Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Fresh Mint, Oregano & Garlic & salt & pepper. Then I roast them in the Broiler until they are cooked well or on the charbroiler. They are like Candy. They are never tough or gamey! You can serve them with Mint Jelly if you prefer.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

BiggsE — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:50:05 GMT

Thank you @Kachina624 . More than likely the cut of meat I purchased, then. It wasn't that cheap in price either. I might be going back to not having it for a long time again.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

gaga — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:51:41 GMT

I forgot to add that ground Lamb formed into Patties are also delicious with the Marinate that I posted.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

BiggsE — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:56:48 GMT

@mspatmac @gaga

I pan seared them. I used some garlic oil in the pan, with rosemary, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. I prefer Lamb Chops that don't taste so much like lamb. I know it's silly. I like a milder flavor of Lamb.

Someone once told me to make sure to get American Lamb because they would not taste as gamey. How the heck do you do that? You have to buy what is available at the time where I live. They were very tastey but tough. Could have been method of cooking them too?

Ladies, thanks for your replies.

@Kachina624 I might have stopped purchasing and cooking because I wasn't doing it right. Restaurant lamb chops sound good to me!

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Kachina624 — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 01:50:28 GMT

@BiggsE Restaurants....the secret to lamb cuisine.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Flopsy — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 03:33:19 GMT

I cooked lamb chops in the over in a gravy slowly and they always turn out very tender. Im British and we have them with mint sauce. I buy a jar, when I can find it, at the grocery store and put about 3 teaspoons in the gravy I make as they cook. It may sound strange but they are delicious, especially with Yorkshire puddings. I find chops are the easiest to cook and personally find grilling or pan frying doesn't work for me - not tender. Enjoy.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Carmie — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 04:46:49 GMT

We always have leg of lamb for Easter. I poke holes in it and fill with cut garlic cloves, I salt and place in a lidded router. omg, it is so good. I roast small red potatoes particaly peeled in the juice while the lamb is roasting until they are sticky and crispy. Delicious.

We have loin lamb chops a few times a month.....from COSTCO, usually.

I brush them with garlic infused olive oil and salt and grill them to medium.

I never had tough lamb meat and I don't find it tastes gamey.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

wagirl — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 15:17:50 GMT

I buy the chops that look like tiny T-bone steaks and usually are at least an inch thick--but only on sale---and I cook them in the airfryer---which is absolutely AMAZING!! I do marinate them before hand. Use to be able to buy them at a really good sale price too. Haven't been to a grocery store , in person, since last Oct--I broke my ankle--- but am now able to walk on it----

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

tessam — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 15:34:25 GMT

I hate lamb! lol

That being said, i learned a couple of things about it

from my mom, who was a fan. First if you roast a leg of lamb,

ask the butcher to remove the gall. it gives it that heavy gamey taste. Removed, you have a sweeter piece of meat. And, ribs (crown of ribs) are considered among the finest cut as are the tiny chops. Its healthy meat and so many ways to prepare for those who enjoy it. My guess is spring for a better cut.. lesser ones unless prepared in a stew will disappoint!

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Sooner — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 15:39:57 GMT

@BiggsE I think soaking them in milk might make them tough. Liver is liver, not muscle meat, so that's a different thing. I think the milk got inside the meat, making it more steam or boil and the meat sort of drew up during cooking.

Or maybe you just got a lesser piece of meat. Meat tenderness and flavor depends on the age of the animal, the breed, how it was fed, etc. Sometimes you get a dud.

A rancher can look at his herd or flock and pretty well judge what will grade prime or choice. Probably true with lamb too. Buyers know by what they see on the hoof too and grade what they buy at auction or from the farm. Prices vary.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Zhills — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 18:11:26 GMT

Works wonders on meat!

Never a tough chop!

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

nyc1 — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:01:29 GMT

I always look for New Zealand lamb chops. The ones I get at Sam's club are always delicious. I buy the small chops and usually broil them or put them on the grill outside when it's warmer. Often times I'll rub a little olive oil on them with spices and sometimes a little lemon zest in advance, put them in a zip lock bag and back in the frig for a few hours..... and they are so good. The trick is not to over cook them. They should have some pink inside when you eat them.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:29:00 GMT

I prefer rib and loin chops.

Re: Lamb Chops!!!!

Zhills — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 19:30:37 GMT

I did some Lamb shoulder chops like Osso Bucco and they were tender and delicious!