Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 3/4 to 1-inch thick lamb chops (8 to 10 ounces each)
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 2 tablespoons mint jelly
  • 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Seeds from 1 large pomegranate
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Method

  • Mince garlic.
  • Pat lamb chops dry.
  • In a small bowl stir together garlic,rosemary, mint, and 1 tablespoon oil.
  • Rub mixture onto lamb and season with salt and pepper.
  • In a heavy non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook lamb chops 3 to 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare meat.
  • Transfer lamb chops to a plate.
  • Make salsa: Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over moderate heat until golden.
  • Seed cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch dice.
  • In a bowl whisk together jelly, vinegar and oil until jelly is broken up into tiny pieces and add remaining salsa ingredients, tossing.
  • Season salsa with salt and pepper.
  • (Do not make salsa ahead or it will become watery.)
  • Top lamb with some salsa and serve remaining salsa on the side.