Lamb Loin Chops with Mint Chimichurri

Lamb loin chops:

2 pounds of lamb loin chops, about 8 individual chops, 1 1/2 inch thick

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp olive oil

Mint chimichurri:

3 cloves garlic, chopped (about 3 teaspoons)

1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves (spearmint), packed

1 1/2 cups fresh parsley leaves, packed

3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup olive oil

1. Remove chops from refrigerator and sprinkle on all sides with Kosher salt. Let sit at room temperature for a half hour (for small chops) to an hour (for large chops) to come to room temp.

2. Make the mint chimichurri sauce. Either in a food processor or by hand, finely chop the garlic, mint and parsley. Place in a bowl and stir in the wine vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir in the olive oil.

3. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron pan on medium high heat. Sprinkle the black pepper on both meaty sides of the chops. When the pan is hot, place the chops meat-side down in the pan. Leave space between the chops, do not crowd the pan.

4. Do not move the chops, just let them brown, about 2 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on the heat of your pan and the size of the chops. Once browned on one side, turn them over and brown the other side. Quickly sear the fatty and bone edges of the chops.

5. Once all of the sides have browned, lower the heat and continue to cook until the lamb chops are done to your liking. Lamb is best rare (vivid pink on the inside), never more cooked than medium rare. The easiest way to test for the doneness of the chops is to press on them with your finger (see the finger test to check doneness of meat). You can also use an instant read meat thermometer. Remove the meat from the pan at 120° to 125°F for rare, and 130° to 135°F for medium rare. Some of the chops may cook faster than others, so check them as they cook, and pull them off the pan when ready.

6. Place the chops on a plate and cover with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve drizzled with mint chimichurri sauce.