Grilled Lamb Chops

Grilled Lamb Chops

by | Aug 27, 2021 | GLUTEN FREE, GRILLING, LAMB | 3 comments

Grilled Lamb Chops

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Grilled Lamb Chops garnished with fresh herbs and served on a wooden board.

Moving sucks!! It’s not only an awful lot of work, it has also kept me away from food blogging for a couple of months now. Today I am getting back into the swing of things and quickly realizing that my hiatus has taken its toll. Lagging page views and technical issues are at the forefront today, but I am back and excited to share these delicious Grilled Lamb Chops with you. Don’t worry there’s a little bit of summer left to fire up the grill for this quick and easy elevated dinner.

Lamb chops, lemon, Dijon, garlic and fresh herbs on a wooden board in preparation for Grilled Lamb Chops.
Lamb chops coated with a herbed mustard paste are ready for the grill in preparation for Grilled Lamb Chops.

Lamb chops are my absolute favourite way to enjoy lamb. They’re mild tasting and get a nice char on them from their extra bit of fat. The mustard rub used on today’s Grilled Lamb Chops is a variation of my go-to favourite grilling/roasting rub. A good dose of garlic, Dijon and rosemary are perfect to compliment the lamb. Sadly, lamb is quite expensive in my area, so these delicious chops are not usually on regular rotation, but they are a fantastic option for a special dinner or entertaining occasion. Enjoy.

Author:  Compelled to Cook

Grilled Lamb Chops arranged on a wooden board and garnished with fresh lemon, herbs and red pepper jelly.
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Grilled Lamb Chops

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 each rack of spring lamb
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 tsp finely chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/2 each juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Trim any excess fat from the rack of lamb. Cut the rack into chops by cutting evenly between each rib. A medium-size rack will yield approximately 8 chops.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, oregano, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
  • Arrange the lamb chops in a shallow dish and evenly coat with mustard paste. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill the lamb chops 6-7 minutes per side for medium-well.
  • Remove from the grill and cover with tin foil and allow to rest for 3 minutes before serving.
  • Serve with red pepper or mint jelly.

Notes

The grilling time per side may vary depending on the temperature of your grill.

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I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

by | Jun 24, 2021 | PASTA, SALADS | 0 comments

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

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Prepared Mediterranean Pasta Salad served in a clear bowl on a wooden tray.

Go ahead and skip the mayo with this Mediterranean Pasta Salad that is bright and briny with a wonderful array of ingredients. The zesty dressing made with Dijon and fresh herbs is a burst of flavour that takes this salad to the next level. Olives and pancetta add a nice texture and brininess to the pasta, while the spinach, cherry tomatoes and red onion keep it light and fresh. Mediterranean Pasta Salad is great for picnics, potlucks, backyard BBQ parties and your July long weekend. This salad holds up wonderfully the day it is made so there’s no fear of a soggy salad. The pasta and pancetta can be cooked up to two days ahead so tossing this salad together at the last minute is a cinch. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Mediterranean Pasta Salad arranged on a wodden tray.

This recipe was one of the first posted to my blog back in 2016 and I forgot how delicious it is. I felt it deserved a little revival just in time to enjoy for summer.

Author:  Compelled to Cook

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Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 cups

Ingredients

  • 7 ounces gemelli or fusilli pasta
  • 4 ounces pancetta
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil see note
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano see note
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley see note
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced and roughly chopped red onion
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool. Drain well and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a small skillet cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy and fat has been rendered, about 5-7 minutes. Drain well on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, oregano, Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Toss together pasta, pancetta, spinach, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, parmesan cheese and dressing until combined. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Notes

-fresh herbs are lovely in this recipe, however, if you need to use dry herbs use 1/3 of the amount stated for fresh.
-this salad is best served the day it is made but leftovers will keep for 2 days covered in the refrigerator.

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I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Garlicky Buttered Beans

Garlicky Buttered Beans

by | Sep 25, 2020 | SIDE DISH, VEGETABLES, VEGETARIAN | 0 comments

Garlicky Buttered Beans

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Garlicky Buttered Beans served in a shallow, oval dish with a wedge of lemon.

Some will say it’s all about the turkey or roast, but how many of us scour through recipes looking for the perfect side dishes to serve with the turkey? We search for recipes because we dream of the perfect meal, and the meal generally includes side dishes. I definitely fall into this group of recipe searchers, partly because it’s nice to try something new and because I believe accompanying dishes are equally as important to any meal as the main item. Even though everyone will not agree with this sentiment, it’s hard to resist buttery green beans. Add in a good dose of garlic, Dijon and lemon juice and you’ve got a bright and zesty veggie that is perfect served with roast turkey, beef or ham. These Garlicky Buttered Beans just might steal the show.

Sauteed garlic, butter and Dijon mustard in a stainless steel pan with blanched green beans in the background prepared for Garlicky Buttered Beans.

Garlicky Buttered Beans start with simple ingredients and the whole dish comes together quickly with little fuss. To help with a busy day in the kitchen, the beans can be cooked and cooled in advance, leaving only a quick sauté in garlicky butter. The Dijon, lemon juice and chili flakes help to liven up plain old green beans. If it’s weeknight cooking for just a few people, go ahead and use only half the amount of the green beans, they’re just saucier. What’s not to love about that. Enjoy!

Want more side dishes??

Honey Garlic Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Gremolata Cauliflower

Cranberry Almond Roasted Broccoli

Garlicky Buttered Beans served in a shallow, oval dish with a wedge of lemon.

Author:  Compelled to Cook

Garlicky Buttered Beans served in a shallow, oval dish with a wedge of lemon.
Garlicky Buttered Beans
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    6-8 people 10 minutes
    Cook Time
    10 minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    6-8 people 10 minutes
    Cook Time
    10 minutes
    Garlicky Buttered Beans served in a shallow, oval dish with a wedge of lemon.
    Garlicky Buttered Beans
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      6-8 people 10 minutes
      Cook Time
      10 minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      6-8 people 10 minutes
      Cook Time
      10 minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: people
      Instructions
      1. Heat a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook at a gentle simmer until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
      2. Meanwhile, gather remaining ingredients and melt butter in a medium skillet. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and saute on low heat until fragrant and slightly softened, about 1 minute, being careful not to brown. Whisk in lemon juice, Dijon, salt and pepper.
      3. Add cooked beans and toss until evenly coated with butter sauce. Serve immediately.
      Recipe Notes

      -Green beans can be cooked and cooled in an ice bath up to one day in advance.  They will need more time to warm in the butter sauce if adding from a chilled state.

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      Affiliate Disclosure

      I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
      Mustard Herb Skillet Bread

      Mustard Herb Skillet Bread

      by | Apr 20, 2018 | SIDE DISH, YEAST BREADS | 4 comments

      One could say I have a mild obsession with making bread as it’s rare that I don’t make it weekly and usually feel guilty buying store bread. Most often I make variations of my favourite doughs, because I’m also guilty of liking familiarity and convenience. So, in keeping up with my obsession I thought I’d share this lovely Mustard Herb Skillet Bread. It’s thick and soft with a golden, crusty coating of mustard, herbs and cheese. It’s great for dunking but what I find even better is to split the bread and make a nice sandwich out of it with sliced ham or turkey. And don’t worry about the next day, because it’s almost better when it’s toasted or grilled. The mustardy coating gets even crunchier and that’s when you hit it with a fried egg, cause it’s true, everything is better with a fried egg!!

      The mustard rub topping is just a slight variation of my go to mustard rub that I really do put on everything. I simply omitted the lemon juice and added the addition of parmesan cheese. In my humble opinion, bread and cheese are just meant to be together. Plus, the cheese lends to a nice chewy crust. Don’t be skimpy on the mustard rub either, it’s the star of the show. Enjoy!

      Recipe source for Mustard Herb Skillet Bread:  Compelled To Cook

      Mustard Herb Skillet Bread
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        12-16 wedges 25-30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        20-22 minutes 80 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        12-16 wedges 25-30 minutes
        Cook Time Passive Time
        20-22 minutes 80 minutes
        Mustard Herb Skillet Bread
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          12-16 wedges 25-30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          20-22 minutes 80 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          12-16 wedges 25-30 minutes
          Cook Time Passive Time
          20-22 minutes 80 minutes
          Ingredients
          Bread
          Mustard Topping
          Servings: wedges
          Instructions
          Mustard Topping
          1. In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients except for cheese and set aside until ready to use.
          Bread
          1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook stir together water, yeast and sugar. Allow to ferment for 5-7 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of flour, olive oil and salt. Begin kneading, adding additional flour by the 1/4 cup until dough starts to pull away from the sides. Continue to knead until dough is soft and silky, about 5-7 minutes.
          2. Turn out dough into a large greased bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm, draft free area until double in size, about 1 hour.
          3. Preheat oven to 425℉. Oil a 10" cast iron skillet and push dough evenly into pan with oiled fingers, creating dimples as you go. Allow dough to rest a few minutes to relax dough if having trouble pushing it out to the edge. Cover and allow to rise for 20 minutes.
          4. Brush dough with mustard topping and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool a few minutes in pan before lifting out onto cooling rack. May be eaten slightly warm or at room temperature.
          Recipe Notes

          Recipe yields approximately 490 grams of dough.

          Baked Apricot Mustard Ham

          Baked Apricot Mustard Ham

          by | Mar 22, 2018 | PORK | 0 comments

          Looking to feed a crowd of hungry relatives and friends this Easter? Baked Apricot Mustard Ham will not only feed the small army you call family, it will also slice out enough ham for leftovers along with a ham bone for soup. The meal that keeps on giving, in an oooh so tasty and simple way. The herby mustard rub is my standard go to paste to rub on most everything but this time with the addition of apricot jam. The jam helps to glaze the ham and cut the salt with a touch of sweetness. You’ll also love, love, love the fresh herbs, especially the rosemary, which is such a wonderful pairing with ham.

          Aside from the ham, which I could chatter on about, this post also warms my heart for another reason. It’s the kind gesture and thoughtfulness from a wonderful friend who gave me the opportunity to use a family treasure in my post. The silver and stainless steel carving set used in the pictures belonged to my friend’s Grandmother on his father’s side.

          There are actually 3 pieces to the set although I only used two in my pictures. The set includes a fork, knife and sharpening steel, which looks much different from what we see today. All pieces are stamped with WM Rogers and Son, who was a well know silversmith and pioneer in the silver plate industry. They’re tarnished like heck and the knife is uneven from use or sharpening, but this vintage set is prop gold and absolutely beautiful in my photos. Thank you Mike for thinking of me, Happy Easter.

          Recipe source for Baked Apricot Mustard Ham:  Compelled To Cook

          You may also like Braised Lamb Shoulder for your Easter gathering.

          Baked Apricot Mustard Ham
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            12-15 people 20 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            3 hours 15 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            12-15 people 20 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            3 hours 15 minutes
            Baked Apricot Mustard Ham
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              12-15 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              3 hours 15 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              12-15 people 20 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              3 hours 15 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: people
              Instructions
              1. Preheat oven to 325℉. Remove ham from packaging and dab dry with a paper towel. Score ham by cutting just through the skin in diagonal lines about 1" apart. Repeat diagonal line in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.
              2. In a small bowl whisk together mustard, half the apricot jam, chopped fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
              3. Lay ham face down in roasting pan and scatter a handful of fresh herbs around the ham. Smear half of the mustard rub evenly over ham. Add 3/4 cup water to the pan and cover tightly with foil.
              4. Bake for approximately 2-2 1/2 hours until warmed through and an internal temperature of 135℉ is reached. Increase oven temperature to 400℉ and strain liquid from pan. Rub ham with remaining mustard rub and continue to bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes until golden and browned and the internal temperature is 145℉. Remove from oven and recover with foil and allow to rest 15 minutes. Slice and serve.
              5. While ham is resting, reduce liquid from pan by 1/3. Whisk in 1/4-1/3 cup apricot jam to taste and serve along side the ham.