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Hoisin-and-Balsamic-Glazed Lamb Chops

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Photo by Emma Fishman, Food styling by D'mytrek Brown

This recipe from chef Dalia David is exactly the kind of easy yet satisfying dish we crave during “shoulder season,” when warmer weather beckons but a chill still hangs in the air.  The hoisin-and-balsamic glaze—juiced up with butter, toasted sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, and onion— completely envelops the chops with rich flavor and tons of umami. Cooking down the leftover marinade and incorporating it back into the final dish ensures no flavor goes to waste. Given the high sodium content in both hoisin and gochujang, additional salt probably won’t be needed.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

⅔ cup hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp. gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more
¼ tsp. plus ⅛ tsp. high-quality balsamic vinegar
12 lamb rib chops (1–1¼" thick)
1 bunch scallions
1 tsp. grapeseed oil or vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Purée hoisin, gochujang, garlic, ½ tsp. pepper, ¼ tsp. vinegar, and ⅔ cup water in a blender until smooth. Place lamb chops in a baking dish and pour marinade over; turn to coat. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, arrange scallions on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with grapeseed oil; turn to coat. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

    Step 3

    Heat sesame oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high; add 2 Tbsp. butter. Working in 2 batches, remove lamb chops from marinade, letting excess drain back into dish, and cook in a single layer until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter; set marinade aside.

    Step 4

    Add onion to drippings in skillet and cook (still over medium-high), stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add reserved marinade and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir remaining ⅛ tsp. vinegar into sauce and remove from heat.

    Step 5

    Drizzle ½ cup sauce over lamb chops. Let remaining sauce in skillet cool 1 minute, then transfer to a blender. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. butter and 2 Tbsp. water and purée until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and set dipping sauce aside.

    Step 6

    Wipe out skillet (or use a medium skillet if you prefer) and heat over medium-high. Cook reserved scallions, turning often, until charred in spots, about 3 minutes.

    Step 7

    Arrange scallions on platter next to lamb chops and sprinkle sesame seeds over lamb. Serve with reserved dipping sauce alongside.

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