Want to stay home for a romantic Valentine's dinner instead of spending the night in a crowded restaurant this year? If so, try these tasty Lamb Loin Chops instead.
The lamb chops are meant to be served with a sweet and tangy Cherry Reduction Sauce, which adds another layer of flavor. Believe me, it's a marriage made in heaven!
Why This Recipe Works
Serving these lamb loin chops has become a Valentine's tradition. After all, we have traditions for other holidays, why not Valentine's Day?
So why do I choose lamb loin chops as my go-to Valentine's Dinner year after year?
Well, not only are the chops absolutely delicious, but it's also visually appealing. The chops are conveniently shaped like hearts; I mean really, how perfect is that?
These lamb loin chops are delicious on their own, but this great marinade takes them to a whole new level. This simple marinade compliments the lamb so beautifully, you'll never need another lamb marinade recipe.
This recipe also requires very little time to prepare. In fact, the lamb is cooked in a cast-iron skillet, in under ten minutes!
Sure, your sweetie will think you spent hours slaving away in the kitchen, but you and I will know the truth!
How to Make This Recipe
1. Mix all the marinade ingredients and pour into a Ziploc bag. Add lamb loin chops, massaging the marinade into the lamb. Marinade the chops for 8 hours or overnight.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet. When the pan is hot, cook the lamb loin chops for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, turning over just once.
5. Serve lamb chops drizzled with cherry reduction sauce.
Recipe Expert Tips
- I recommend doing some prep work the day before (marinating the lamb, and making the sauce). That way, you can give your love your undivided attention on Valentine's Day.
- I love to serve these loin chops with a sweet kale salad. Adding some blue cheese crumbles, feta, or goat cheese really dresses up the salad. Because it already comes with a sweet dressing, adding slices of apples, pears, or strawberries seems appropriate. I like to add some red onions too!
- Another great side option to loin chops would be jalapeno poppers. The poppers are creamy, delicious, and can be prepared in around 30 minutes. They can easily be prepared ahead of time and popped in the oven for 20 minutes prior to serving.
- And for dessert, don't forget to make my Easy Mug Cake, topped with Homemade Ice Cream or my Cheesecake Phyllo Cups.
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Lamb Loin Chops Recipe (with cherry sauce)
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 T. lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¾ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. dried mint
Other Ingredients:
- 5 lamb loin chops
Instructions
- Mix all the marinade ingredients and pour into a Ziploc bag. Add lamb loin chops, massaging the marinade into the lamb. Marinade the chops for 8 hours or overnight.
- Heat vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet. When the pan is hot, cook the lamb loin chops for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, turning over just once.
- Serve lamb chops drizzled with cherry reduction sauce. The recipe can be found on my blog.
Notes
- I recommend doing some prep work the day before (marinating the lamb, and making the sauce). That way, you can give your love your undivided attention on Valentine's Day.
- I love to serve these loin chops with a sweet kale salad. Adding some blue cheese crumbles, feta, or goat cheese really dresses up the salad. Because it already comes with a sweet dressing, adding slices of apples, pears, or strawberries seems appropriate. I like to add some red onions too!
- Another great side option to loin chops would be jalapeno poppers. The poppers are creamy, delicious, and can be prepared in around 30 minutes. They can easily be prepared ahead of time and popped in the oven for 20 minutes prior to serving.
- And for dessert, don't forget to make my Easy Mug Cake, topped with Homemade Ice Cream or my Cheesecake Phyllo Cups.
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