9 Lamb Chop Recipes That Have Us Ditching The Ham This Easter (2024)

FAQs

What is best to serve with lamb chops? ›

Ham is definitely the more popular -- at least in the United States: According to a survey by the National Pork Board, 67 percent of Americans serve ham on Easter. To those of Mediterranean descent, though, lamb is essential to the observance.

A rare, or pink, lamb chop that has been seared well on the outside should be fine because any bacteria on the outer surface will have been killed by the heat. But minced or diced lamb or mutton should never be served pink. It needs to be thoroughly cooked and browned. The same goes for burgers.

Cook all raw lamb steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145° F (62.8° C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.

Lamb chops are very tender, so it's best to season with salt and pepper and cook (either pan fry or grill on a barbecue or chargrill pan), over high heat for a few minutes each side.

Lamb chops

This is the most popular lamb dish that is loved by many people around the world. Lamb chops are delicious, tender pieces of meat that are usually grilled or pan-fried. They are often served with vegetables or potatoes.

For Christians, the lamb is more a representation of Jesus sacrificing himself and dying on the cross – Jesus being “the lamb of God”. It's most likely that Christians eat lamb at Easter to remember this sacrifice. The sacrificial lamb is mentioned in the Old Testament, when God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son.

Lamb is widely considered the traditional meat for Easter Sunday across many countries. One of the main reasons why lamb is such a widely popular choice for Easter Sunday is that Jesus is thought of by some as the Lamb of God.

The rest of Easter is apparently about munching chocolate or hot cross buns, and on the evening of Good Friday we are supposed to eat fish. But on the most important day of the weekend, when Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, the occasion is marked by roast lamb and all the trimmings.

Can You Eat Lamb Raw? Due to food safety concerns, we always advise against eating any raw meat, including raw lamb. With that being said, many people enjoy eating lamb tartare, with the primary ingredient being uncooked lamb.

Can dogs eat lamb? ›

YES, dogs can safely eat lamb!

But it's important that it's not cooked with any seasonings or spices as those can create gut problems for your dog. Lamb is safe for your dog to eat, so feel free to give it to them when you're looking for a new type of meat or treat for them to try.

THE FINGER OR TONG TEST

Very soft = rare – bright red, raw centre. Soft = medium rare – pink inside with a red centre. Springy = medium – pink throughout. Firmer = well-done range – mostly brown inside.

Colorful vegetable sides, like green beans, asparagus, and glazed carrots, are a must for any lamb dinner. Snappy blanched green beans served with sautéed shallots and buttery sliced almonds. This classic vegetable side dish comes together in minutes.

Slow cooking in liquid transforms tougher cuts of lamb into fork-tender meat. Neck, shoulder and belly, either diced or as whole joints, are the best cuts for slow cooking and need to be cooked for at least 2 hrs at 150C to soften the meat.

What do you soak lamb chops in? As you may already know, fat holds odors and flavors. Therefore, trimming as much fat as possible before cooking it's a great tip. To help in this process, it is recommended to soak the lamb chops in lemon water (or vinegar water) for 30 minutes.

This simply prepared (it's rubbed in a paste of just Dijon mustard, garlic, and herbs) rack of lamb is best served with equally unfussy vegetable sides, like grilled asparagus or baby artichokes.

If you want to go the more classic route, you really can't beat serving your lamb alongside creamy potatoes au gratin, a bright bacon pea salad, and plenty of goat cheese-stuffed rolls for good measure.