Grilled Lamb Chops with Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe

Here’s how to quick cook lamb chops. To keep lamb chops moist, grill them for just a few minutes. A simple zucchini salad, seasoned with lemon juice and mint, pairs nicely with the rich meat. Slicing the zucchini into ribbons provides tender pieces that don’t require any cooking. You can easily shave the zucchini into ribbons using a vegetable peeler or a mandoline. A little extra-virgin olive oil and some shaved Parmesan rounds out this simple salad. Look for small zucchini, which are young and have thin skins. 

Using a vegetable peeler, shave zucchini into thin ribbons. Transfer zucchini ribbons to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze juice from the lemon into a small bowl and chop 2 tablespoons of mint. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, mint, and 3 tablespoons oil over the zucchini and toss to coat. Then, garnish with Parmesan. Trim the lamb chops, pat dry with paper towels, rub with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and season with salt and pepper. 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe – FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL

Open the bottom vent of the charcoal grill completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When the top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set the cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat the grill until hot, about 5 minutes. 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe – FOR A GAS GRILL

Set all burners to high heat, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high. 

Clean and oil cooking grate. Place chops on grill and cook (covered if using gas) until well browned on both sides and meat registers 120 to 125 degrees (for medium-rare), 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer chops to platter, tent with alumi­num foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with zucchini salad. 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe – Zucchini Ribbons

Using vegetable peeler, slice zucchini lengthwise into very thin ribbons. 

Grilled Lamb Chops with Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe – Lamb Chops

Select lamb chops that come from the rib area or loin, avoid shoulder chops as they can be tough and are best braised or cut off the bone and used in stews. In a rib chop, the bone runs along the edge, with all the meat on one side; we find the rib chop to be juicier and more flavorful than the loin chop. A loin chop looks like a T-bone steak, with the bone running down the center and meat on either side. 

Recipe Serves 4

1 pound zucchini , 1 lemon, Fresh mint or basil , ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil , Shaved Parmesan cheese , 8 (4-ounce) lamb rib or loin chops, ¾ to 1 inch thick