LAMB CHOPS WITH FENNEL, ARUGULA, RED ONION AND BLACK OLIVE SALAD

Lamb Chops with Fennel, Arugula, Red Onion and Black Olive Salad image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

5 large sprigs fresh rosemary, picked and finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
Pinch crushed red pepper
Zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
Two 8-bone racks of lamb
Kosher salt
1 fennel bulb, thinly shaved
2 cups baby arugula
1 head radicchio, cut into a chiffonade
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup kalamata or Gaeta olives, pitted and cut lengthwise into fourths
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
Kosher salt

Steps:

For the lamb chops: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine the rosemary, garlic, crushed red pepper and lemon zest in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup olive oil to the mix. Reserve.
Remove 2 rib bones from each rack of lamb and cut the remaining racks into 6 equal, thicker chops (instead of 8 thinner chops).
Sprinkle the lamb chops with salt and reserve at room temperature. Brush both sides of the chops with the rosemary mixture.
Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the lamb chops on all sides, including the fat edge. (Remember: Brown food tastes good! If your pan gets too hot, lower the heat. Ditch the oil in between the batches and start off with fresh oil. It is really important not to crowd the pan while browning the chops. If the pan is crowded, the chops will steam instead of browning and getting crispy.) When all the chops are browned, arrange them neatly on a sheet tray (with sides, you don't want any juices or fat to run off). Brush the browned chops with the rosemary mixture. Roast the chops for 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare, 12 to 15 minutes for medium.
For the salad: Meanwhile, toss together the fennel, arugula, radicchio, red onion and olives with the olive oil, lemon juice and a generous sprinkle of salt in a large bowl. Taste to make sure it is delicious. Arrange the salad on a large serving platter and top the salad with the hot lamb chops to wilt the salad a little bit. Brush the chops with any remaining rosemary oil and drizzle any juice from the baking sheet over the lamb.
Chop chop!