Cilantro Grilled Lamb Chops with Strawberry Cilantro Salsa
Remember my post a few weeks back on my prepped foods for weekend guests? Well, cilantro oil was one I had mixed up to have on hand for drizzling over hummus, adding a touch to my green eggs for an unexpected surprise taste, mixing a dash into my vinaigrette for a unique twist and as a flavored oil for a quick sauté of shrimp. The final use for the cilantro oil was in this recipe for these cilantro grilled lamb chops and a strawberry cilantro salsa.
In my previous post I roughly detailed how I make the oil. As with most of my prepped foods I keep on hand they are just pulled together with the ingredients and methods I’m familiar with. Just as I’m writing this now, I did a google search and found that Emerile Lagasse has a cilantro oil recipe. He used it to drizzle over a pork loin…another nice idea! My cilantro oil has garlic, scallions, and olive oil versus his use of canola oil and cayenne. He also blanched the cilantro, which I do not, and honestly I wouldn’t even have the time for that step! Plus, he strains his oil…okay, this is beginning to really look like a totally different oil, but I wanted to share his version as well. As for the use of cayenne, I would prefer to leave it out and add it to the final recipe should it require a bit of heat.
The strawberry salsa added a nice spring time balance to the lamb chops. The cilantro complimented the sweet strawberries balancing the taste perfectly. Quick and easy dishes are on my plans for the next few weeks as I’m busy purging for a garage sale!
Cilantro Grilled Lamb Chops with Strawberry Cilantro Salsa
1 rack of lamb, cut into chops or 6 individual lamb chops
Cilantro oil, recipe below
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Strawberry Cilantro Salsa, recipe below
Rub the cilantro oil over the chops and allow to marinate for at least one hour in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes) before grilling. Preheat the grill or grill pan as I use indoors. Sear the chops about 2 minutes, flip over and sear for another 2-3 minutes for medium rare, 3-4 minutes for medium. Thickness of the chops also determines the searing time; this is based on ¾ inch cut. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve with Strawberry Cilantro Salsa. Makes about 3 servings, 2 chops each.
Cilantro oil
1 cup packed fresh cilantro, stems removed
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 large scallion, roughly chopped
½ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Rinse cilantro well and pat dry. Add all ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl or glass oil bottle and store in the refrigerator until needed. Will last up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.
Strawberry Cilantro Salsa
1 cup strawberries, diced small
½ cup cucumber, diced small
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon cilantro oil
½ teaspoon agave or sugar to taste if necessary
Combine all in a medium bowl. Cover and allow flavors to blend for at least 30 minutes.
spicegirlfla
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
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39 Comments
Mandy - The Complete Cook Book
What a heavenly meal – can almost taste it!
🙂 Mandy
spicegirlfla
Thank you Mandy. The cilantro oil truly flavored the lamb beautifully!
Courtney
Strawberry Cilantro Salsa?!? Oh, wow – two of my most favorite flavors together? You’ve made my day, Linda! This just looks amazing.
spicegirlfla
I’m glad you like that combination. I served the remaining salsa with chips; it was a real hit!
Chica Andaluza
What a gorgeous looking plate of food – I adore lamb chops and asparagus and as for that salsa…fabulous!
spicegirlfla
Thank you Tanya. I love lamb also and will probably be making a lamb dish for Easter too!
Caroline
What a beautiful and colorful plate…so many delicious flavors going on here! Love the strawberry cilantro salsa. I’m sure it paired wonderfully with the lamb chops. Heck, I’d eat it plain. 😉
spicegirlfla
Thanks Caroline, and yes, in fact the salsa was just as good by the spoonful!!
Sharyn Dimmick
Everyone can use quick and easy recipes — this looks good, Linda.
David
Looks great, Lamb is my favorite!
Choc Chip Uru
Since I can’t eat lamb chops my mind went straight to the salsa – strawberry salsa? You are my hero 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
spicegirlfla
You’re so cute Choc Chip!
Kristy
I’m loving the idea of strawberry cilantro salsa Linda! It sounds so refreshing. How do you think it would taste if I swapped out the lemon for lime in the salsa? Oh it just sounds so delicious!!!! Happy purging. 🙂
spicegirlfla
Using lime is a great idea, in fact, I just realized why I didn’t use lime instead of a lemon in the first place! I’ve got some chips to use up before moving day, so I’m going to try this salsa again with the lime!
ChgoJohn
These chops and salsa look delicious, Lynda, and I could dive right in — except for one teensy, weensy, little problem. I do not like cilantro. I can see how it would work in these dishes and, for those who like the herb, the results would be heavenly. Still, I’ll have to pass on today’s recipes but I will offer you my wishes for good luck with the purge and sale to come. 🙂
spicegirlfla
John, that’s not a teensy, weensy little problem as cilantro is used all thru this recipe!! I guess you could use parsley 🙂 I know cilantro is an aquired taste, I honestly didn’t like it years ago but have come to enjoy it very much now.
yummychunklet
Wow. Those chops look fantastic! And I love the sound of the strawberry salsa.
Kathy
Wow! Lamb chops are my favorite and these look fantastic! The strawberry salsa sounds fabulous!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef
We eat a lot of lamb chops at our house so your dish is an instant hit but strawberry cilantro salsa? OMG that’s to die for!
Mary
This is really a delicious meal. I love to visit here. I never leave empty handed and always have a tip or recipe to take back to my own kitchen. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
spicegirlfla
Thank you Mary, that was the sweetest comment! Have a wonderful day Mary!
sportsglutton
Strawberry cilantro salsa Linda?? That sounds incredibly ingenious to me and something that needs to be made ASAP. Love it!
Have a great weekend.
Judy@Savoring Today
Mmm, that cilantro oil got me to thinking about summer salads and as a finishing oil for roasted vegetables … oh yeah, can’t wait to try it!
Amy @ ElephantEats
Wow, this has made me totally crave lamb chops! These sound amazing. I would never think to have strawberries in salsa, but the combo with the cilantro sounds so delicious!!
Greg
This is such a fresh, cool recipe. I love the salsa especially. And you know I love me some cilantro.
Charles
Love the sound of the strawberry salsa especially Linda – sounds amazing. I’m defrosting chicken for lunch tomorrow right now, but I suddenly have a massive urge for lamb, lol 😀
Sammie
oh lala!! Grilled lamb chops? This must be really good!! What a gourmet meal you’ve prepared yourself! And yeah, I like Emirile too!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Lovely dish of food. I always start thinking of lamb at springtime. I usually prepare it for Easter when we are home but most years we spend the day with friends who always prepare ham.
Nazarina
I like your version of the oil! Really big, bold and tasty flavors going on here! Your plate is the epitome of how we should eat!
betsyb
What a lovely and fresh recipe, and the strawberry cilantro salsa is inspired. Spring on a plate!
Kitchen Belleicious
lamb chips are one thing but adding that amazing combo of strawberry and cilantro salsa to it and its simply magical! Oh I wish i was having this for dinner tonight!
Geni
Fantastically spring-y! Your plate looks so lovely and fresh and YOUR cilantro oil sounds perfect. Believe it or not, I haven ever had very good luck with Emeril’s recipes I’ve printed out from Food Network. They’re usually OK. Your recipes I’ve tried though and thought were amazing. I am still craving more of that pecan crusted fish. It was delish. The strawberry salsa sounds like the perfect accompaniment. Good luck with the sale!
France @ Beyond The Peel
What a great use. SO many great ideas. I have been craving lamb lately and I look forward to trying this very recipe out.
Barb Bamber
Just so you know, “quick and easy” at my house means Kraft Dinner (shh). I love this combination and can’t wait to try it! My son brought home lamb chops tonight.. he wanted to make his own dinner (yay… another “foodie” in the house) and, had I seen this, I would have whipped up the salsa for him!!
Geni
So strange…I left a comment the other day on this post and don’t see it…I know WordPress has been having issues with comments this week. I love the strawberry salsa…it’s so you and so bright and light for Spring. The lamb chops look exquisite and like a chef made them. You are really quite a gourmet.
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Janet
Hope you don’t mind… posted your recipe on our business facebook page. Looks absolutely delicious! Wish I had found it when asparagus and strawberries were in their prime!
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