Grilled Coconut-Curry Lamb Chops with Red Pepper Sauce

By danand

To pair with these luscious, exotically flavored chops, restaurateur Peter Kasperski opts for wines that result in a complex, exotic match.
Our Pairing Suggestion Kasperski's choice is a New World Syrah with a touch of Viognier: a powerful wine with lovely floral and peach accents. Australia offers several good choices.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon Chinese mustard
• 8 lamb rib chops
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt
• 1/2 seedless cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from foodandwine.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk 3/4 cup of the stock and 1/4 cup of the vinegar with the coconut milk, mirin, fish sauce, curry powder, peanut butter and mustard. Transfer to a large, resealable plastic bag. Add the lamb chops and turn to coat completely. Seal the bag and refrigerate overnight.

Roast the red pepper over a gas flame or under a broiler, turning, until blackened all over. Transfer the pepper to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Peel the pepper and discard the core and seed. Transfer the pepper to a blender. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of stock and 1/2 tablespoon of rice vinegar and puree until smooth. With the machine on, add the oil and puree until creamy and smooth. Season the sauce with salt.

In a small bowl, toss the cucumber with a pinch of salt and let stand until softened slightly, about 5 minutes.

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Drain the lamb chops and grill over high heat, turning once, until charred and medium-rare, about 7 minutes. Transfer the chops to plates and serve with the red pepper sauce and cucumbers.

MAKE AHEAD The red pepper sauce can be refrigerated overnight.