Author Notes
Rhubarb is a signature spring ingredient with, unfortunately, a limited reputation. Often paired with strawberries and packed into pies, rhubarb also has a sophisticated, savory side. Here the tender stalks of rhubarb are quickly sautéed in sugar and vinegar, as in Italian agrodolce dishes, as small lamb chops cook in the oven. The bright, fresh flavor of the rhubarb offers a perfect pair for the fatty, seared meat. If you are looking for a quick and elegant way to add a bit more to the plate, serve the lamb and rhubarb with a spoonful of steamed couscous. —Caroline Wright
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons
olive oil, divided
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4
small lamb loin chops (1 pound)
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Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
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1/2
medium shallot, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
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2 tablespoons
brown sugar
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1 teaspoon
red-wine or sherry vinegar
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1 pound
rhubarb stalks, sliced into 2-inch pieces
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1/4 cup
golden raisins
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1/2 cup
crushed walnut pieces
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2 tablespoons
roughly chopped fresh parsley
Directions
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Preheat oven to 475° F. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper. When the skillet is hot, add the lamb and brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the lamb reaches the desired doneness, about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Let the meat rest on a cutting board.
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Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another large skillet over medium. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in sugar, vinegar and rhubarb. Cook, partially covered and tossing occasionally, until rhubarb is tender and the juices in the pan are thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in raisins, walnuts and parsley. Serve lamb with rhubarb.
Before her diagnosis, Caroline wrote a book on cakes called Cake Magic!. She started developing a birthday cake using her gluten-free mix found in that book. Check out other recipes she’s developing for her new life—and the stories behind them—on her blog, The Wright Recipes. Her next book, Soup Club, is a collection of recipes she made for her underground soup club of vegan and grain-free soups she delivers every week to friends throughout Seattle's rainy winter.
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