jerk lamb chops
with sweet & salty banana rice
serves 4
ingredients
for the lamb chops
4 tablespoons jerk seasoning (see Note)
2 tablespoons Pickapeppa sauce (see Note) or Worcestershire sauce
6 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 pounds baby lamb chops, cut into individual chops
1 teaspoon kosher salt
for the banana rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 small bananas, cut into ¼-inch-thick rounds
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups cooked rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
A few pinches chopped fresh thyme, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
NOTE: jerk seasoning and pickapeppa sauce - Though not as easy to find as, say, paprika, these two seasonings really make this dish. Look for them in the international aisle of a supermarket and if you can’t find them…hey, isn’t that what the Internet is for? Once you have them in your house you’ll find all sorts of other uses for them, like marinating a steak (Pickapeppa) or spicing up scrambled eggs or roasted vegetables (jerk seasoning).
steps
MAKE THE LAMB CHOPS:
In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the jerk seasoning, the Pickapeppa, and garlic.
Add the lamb chops, and smush around to coat.
Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot.
Remove the chops from the marinade, pat dry with paper towels, and sprinkle all over with the remaining 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning and the salt.
Grill the chops until nicely seared, 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and cook until medium-rare, another 2 to 3 minutes.
MAKE THE BANANA RICE:
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
Toss the bananas with the sugar and sauté until slightly caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the rice and ½ teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally (but don’t mash up the bananas too much), until very hot, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, then add more salt until it tastes like a good balance between sweet and salty.
Garnish the lamb with thyme and serve with lime wedges and the rice.
