Lamb Chops with Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce

By BobD

A nutty paste does double duty as a rub and a sauce for these grilled lamb chops from meat master Bruce Aidells.

Ingredients

• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1/3 cup cilantro leaves
• 1/3 cup unsalted natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Thai green curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Eight 1-inch-thick loin lamb chops (about 2 pounds)

Preparation

Step 1

In a food processor, pulse the garlic and cilantro until finely chopped. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the lamb; pulse until a paste forms. Spread 1/4 cup of the paste over the lamb chops.

In a saucepan, whisk remaining paste with 1/3 cup of water. Warm the sauce over low heat; it should be pourable.

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Grill the chops over a medium-high fire for 4 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a chop registers 125° to 130° for medium rare. Transfer the chops to a platter. Spoon some warm peanut sauce over the lamb chops and serve, passing the extra sauce on the side.