Loin Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto

Ingredients:

Mint Pesto:

• 2/3 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tbsp. pine nuts or chopped walnuts
• 1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
• 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Lamb Chops:

• 8 loin lamb chops (each about 1-inch thick), well trimmed
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings (2 chops each per serving)

1. Heat the broiler
2. For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, process the mint, parsley, nuts, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice until finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle the oil and process until almost smooth.
3. For the lamb: Place the chops on a broiler pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Broil the chops for 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
4. Transfer 2 chops to each of 4 plates and top evenly with the pesto.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. I had this for dinner the other night and it was so delicious. Lamb loin chops are so lean in protein you'll be eating 2 chops. Mint jelly is commonly served with lamb and often filled with sugar. The mint pesto is freshly made and much healthier than mint jelly. A good side dish to accompany lamb can include potatoes of any kind, broccoli, and any other kind of green vegetable.