Disclaimer: “Sponsored Post – NORTH Food Festival”.
Lamb Chops with Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction is a quick dish that consists of pan-seared lamb chops topped with a delicious blueberry-balsamic reduction sauce. It’s served on a chilled bed of greens!
Halló!!! Today we will be cooking nothing less than Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction served on a chilled bed of greens.
This is a dish to celebrate the magical country of Iceland and, of course, the NORTH Nordic Food Festival in New York City.
This will be an unique event– both an exclusive dining experience and a phenomenal opportunity to participate in Nordic cooking classes, while learning from star chefs from Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden.
As a contributor to Honest Cooking Magazine, today I am proudly representing the cuisine of Iceland, the most peaceful country on Earth. Iceland?
Yes, that’s right!!!! While I have not yet had the opportunity of a visit, I do hope one day to be able to see in person the “Land of Fire and Ice,” and to experience the Aurora Borealis on a dark winter’s night or the midnight sun in the summer.
Iceland, a fascinating land of spectacular landscapes, natural hot springs, geothermal lagoons such as the famous Blue Lagoon, fjords, glaciers, mountains, and volcanos…
An ideal place for outdoor activities such as rafting, fishing, diving, snorkeling, hiking, dog-sledding, and snowboarding, among others…
A country rich in culture, and well-known for hosting great music festivals, for its innovative designers and a Noble Prize-winning writer (Halldór Laxness), and also for its commitment to the environment.
This country, slightly smaller than the US state of Kentucky, is celebrated for its diet enriched by ingredients of the highest quality– all farmed, bred, and caught in an unpolluted environment.
One thing is for sure: you don’t have to travel in order to experience a taste of Iceland, where lamb, dairy products (such as skyr, a soft cheese similar to yogurt in texture), seafood (salmon, haddock, plaice, halibut, herring, and shrimp), and rye bread are staples.
Other common ingredients of Icelandic cuisine include blueberries, crowberries, rhubarb, wild mushrooms, thyme, lovage, angelica, and dried seaweed.
Further, cabbage, potatoes, rutabagas, turnips, cucumbers, and tomatoes are additional common elements.
Traditional Icelandic cuisine is known for its use of preservation methods such as pickling, drying, and smoking, on account of its harsh winter conditions.
As the country absorbed foreign influences in the 20th century, so did Icelandic cuisine.
And thus arose Modern Icelandic cuisine, which places greater emphasis on the quality of the available ingredients than the use of age-old cooking traditions and methods.
Although traditional Icelandic cuisine is immensely interesting, our Lamb Chops with Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction follows more after the modern spirit.
This means that traditional ingredients such as lamb, thyme, and blueberry were incorporated into the dish, but with a more modern flair and techniques.
As I am sure you know, my usual mission is to introduce Brazilian cuisine to you, and particularly to share technically-correct, predominantly homestyle recipes.
However, today we will be doing something quite different– not only because our Lamb Chops with Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction dish follows the currents of Modern Icelandic cuisine, but also because the presentation will be restaurant-style. That’s right!
But trust me, there is no need whatsoever to feel intimidated about that.
These lamb chops are something that you will be able to brag about to your guests or loved ones, because not only will you be sharing with them something inspired by a far-off country.
But also because they will feel as though these lamb chops came from a fine restaurant kitchen– although made by you right at home.
Now, how cool is that?
For now, grab the ingredients below, and let’s have fun preparing lamb chops together.
HOW TO MAKE THYME LAMB CHOPS
Here is how to prepare tender lamb chops cooked to perfection.
Preparing Lamb Chops
In small bowl, combine the thyme, garlic, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well until combined.
Coat the lamb chops with the mixture, massaging it into the meat with your fingers.
In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat.
When the oil is sizzling hot, sear the lamb chops on all four sides (2 flats sides, top, and bottom) for about 2-3 minutes total (for rare) or for about 4-5 minutes total (for medium).
Transfer the lamb chops to a serving plate, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and let sit for about 5-7 minutes before serving drizzled with the reduction.
While lamb chops are resting, prepare the reduction.
Preparing Reduction Sauce
eat a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil, and sweat the shallots until translucent, about 1 minute.
Pour both the balsamic vinegar and blueberry juice into the pan, stir in the sugar and bring to a boil.
Add the thyme and allow the liquids to gently boil, reducing for about 7 minutes or until only about 1/2 cup of liquid remains.
Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and swirl the butter into the pan. Remove the thyme sprigs.
Serve lamb chops on a bed of cold vegetables (e.g. fresh cucumber noodles made with a melon scraper or lemon zester, blanched peas and cubed carrots) drizzled with the blueberry-balsamic reduction.
Njóta!!! (Enjoy!!!)
Thyme Lamb Chops with Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction
Ingredients
For the Chops:
- 1 pound single lamb rib chops bone in and frenched (about 4 chops)
- 2-1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shallots minced
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup blueberry juice either store-bought or homemade**
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 large or 2 small thyme sprigs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black peper
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
**To make your own blueberry juice, blend 1/4 fresh or frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup water in a blender. When well blended, strain and then use for the reduction.
Instructions
- Prepare chops: In small bowl, combine the thyme, garlic, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well until combined. Coat the lamb chops with the mixture, massaging it into the meat with your fingers.
- In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is sizzling hot, sear the lamb chops on all four sides (2 flats sides, top, and bottom) for about 2-3 minutes total (for rare) or for about 4-5 minutes total (for medium).
- Transfer the lamb chops to a serving plate, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and let sit for about 5-7 minutes before serving drizzled with the reduction. While lamb chops are resting, prepare the reduction.
- Make the reduction: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil, and sweat the shallots until translucent, about 1 minute. Pour both the balsamic vinegar and blueberry juice into the pan, stir in the sugar and bring to a boil.
- Add the thyme and allow the liquids to gently boil, reducing for about 7 minutes or until only about 1/2 cup of liquid remains. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and swirl the butter into the pan.
- Remove the thyme sprigs. Serve lamb chops on a bed of cold vegetables (e.g. fresh cucumber noodles made with a melon scraper or lemon zester, blanched peas and cubed carrots) drizzled with the blueberry-balsamic reduction. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Learn more about Nordic cuisine at the NORTH Festival 2013 in New York City. This post is a collaboration between the blogger and NORTH Festival 2013.
sallybr says
This is REALLY worthy of a 4-star restaurant, my dear!
WONDERFUL JOB!
Denise Browning says
Oh, Sally! Thanks…I am so happy that you have enjoyed it!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Love the reduction, Denise. And you sold me on Iceland. Now, do you think it would be possible for me to eat this in Iceland. Just dreamin!
Denise Browning says
I am with you…It would be the perfect dream, Abbe!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
This is a fancy shmancy dish, I love balsamic reduction, so flavorful
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Ash!
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
My mom is allllll about lamb chops, I’m sending this recipe over to her.
Denise Browning says
Thanks so much, Kammie! I hope she makes these chops!
Sugar et al says
I love lamb chops and I love the things that I read about Iceland from your post. Seems like my kind of place. But I love what you did to the dish more than anything else. Gorgeous and the reduction sounds to die for! Lovely pictures as always Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Sonali! After reading and writing about Iceland, I wished to visit it…
Shema | LifeScoops says
Denise, My first time here..loved your recipes… consider me a frequent visitor 🙂 These lamb chops look divine!
Denise Browning says
Thanks so much, Shema! Welcome to FBTY…It’s a pleasure to have you here!
Asmita says
Absolutely stunning!
Denise Browning says
I am happy that you enjoy it, Asmita!
Deb says
What a gorgeous recipe! A magnificent way to experience a country, by their cuisine!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Deb! Yes, food is indeed one of the best ways to experience a country…
cquek says
Do you hear that? It’s my heart pitter pattering! IN LOVE WITH THESE!
Denise Browning says
🙂 Thanks, cquek! Make this dish and you will really fall in love with it!
john@kitchenriffs says
Great reduction, wonderful pictures! This is terrific stuff – good job. I’ve never been to Iceland – would love to go sometime! Thanks for this.
Denise Browning says
Thank you, John, for stopping by! I am with you. I’d love to visit Iceland sometime…
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I need that delicious balsamic reduction in my life. Wow 🙂
Denise Browning says
🙂 I hope you make this reduction one of these days…It is delish!
The Café Sucre Farine says
It’s fun visiting a new country on your blog today Denise. Those chops look spectacular, I’m sure there’s not a restaurant in NCY serving anything prettier than these! Do you take reservations?
Denise Browning says
You are always so sweet, Chris! I wish we did not live so far from each other…You’d be welcome to sit at my table and savor this dish.
Juliana says
Denise I love lamb chop, but do not cook often…I love the sound of the blueberry balsamic reduction…delicious when lamb is paired sweet…
Thanks for the recipe and hope you are enjoying your week my dear 😀
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Juliana! Have a great evening!
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Oh Denise, this is a very fancy dish, it’s perfect for a dinner with friends….!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nydia!
Amy Tong says
I adore Lamb Chops and this Blueberry-Balsamic Reduction sounds like the perfect sauce for them. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. This certainly is a wonderful recipe for celebrations.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Amy! Enjoy!!!
inessa says
I love lamb chops.Good job.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Inessa!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Goooooooooooorgeous, Denise! I am seriously in love with your blueberry balsamic reduction! Looking fancy yet reasonably easy to make it with your recipe. Your dinner table must be filled with great food everyday!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nami! This dish is something that made my husband very excited.
Matthew says
Just made this and its amazing! Thanks for the recipe. 5 star quality and now a favourite of my wifes. Thank you thank you 🙂
Denise Browning says
Matthew:
So glad you and your wife enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for stopping by!!!
Aaron says
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Bless you!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Aaron! I am so sorry for the inconvenience. We’ve just taken care of the problem.
From now on, you can comment as many times as you wish– just don’t check the button “Notify me when new comments are added” anymore. Have a great weekend!