Slow Roasted Lamb Chops with Tarragon Mustard Sauce

If you are looking for an easy spring recipe, that’s sure to impress then you can’t go wrong with my Slow Roasted Lamb Chops with Tarragon Mustard Sauce. The flavor of the mustard tarragon sauce with the lamb is so delicious, and you’ll love the addition of the caramelized shallots too! 

This recipe is so easy because after some initial searing and sautéing of the shallots, everything, including the tomato, roasts on one-sheet pan in the oven. This eliminates the stress of making sure everything is done on time! 

This recipe is such a great way to get a fancy dinner on the table, quickly and easily, you’ll love it for Christmas or New Years’ Eve too! Or try it for Valentine’s Day too! For more romantic dinner ideas see my 7 Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas post.

Recipe Pairing Ideas:

• For a starter try my Cream of Celery Soup Recipe with Parmesean Tuiles
• For a potato dish try my Potatoes au Gratin
• For Dessert, you’ll love my Ultimate Coconut Pie Recipe or Strawberry Pistachio Tart
• Need a Vegan option? Try my Mushroom Ragout with Creamy Polenta

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Step#1: Prep the Rack of Lamb

For this recipe, you’ll use a full rack of lamb which includes 8 chops. This works out well for serving 4 people since you can serve 2 chops per person. And with the shallots and the tomatoes it works to be a filling meal. 

Shopping Tip

• Ask your butcher to French-trim your lamb so that the fat is trimmed up to the meat line.
• This will expose the bones of the chop. Trimming the fat will make the lamb easiest to roast by eliminating excess fat.
• It will also make for a prettier presentation as well.

The Trick to Well Seasoned Lamb

• I find pre-seasoning the lamb for at least 24-hours is the best way to get a juicy, flavorful lamb chop.
• The salt will tenderize it and the rosemary and pepper will soak into the lamb and add great flavor. It will also save you a step the following day.
• The day before serving, season the lamb well with salt and pepper and minced rosemary on all sides.
• Place the lamb in a resealable plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. It will take up less room in your fridge that way!

Step#2: Sear the Lamb Rack and Shallots

• The sweetness of the caramelized shallots will provide a wonderful compliment to the lamb. Especially, as they caramelized in the oven and mingle with the juice of the lamb.
• They are also really easy to prepare. Quarter the shallots so that each piece has 2 cut sides, this will give you two sides for caramelization. You can set them aside while you sear the lamb.

Remove the Rosemary

Before searing the lamb, brush off the rosemary with a paper towel. At this point, the meat is already flavored with rosemary and it will prevent it from burning in the pan.

Searing the Lamb

• Sear the lamb on all sides in a large skillet. The idea is just to brown all sides at this stage, not to actually cook it. So it should only take 3 minutes.
• Then allow the lamb to rest while you caramelized the shallots. But don’t wash out the pan!
• You’ll want to cook the shallots in the fat that was rendered from the lamb. This will give them the best flavor. 

Carmelizing the Shallots

• Place the shallots in the fat, cut side down, and don’t touch them! If you leave them be they will develop a beautiful golden brown color.
• Then flip them over to the second cut side to brown.
• Then place the lamb and the shallots on a sheet pan while you prepare the tomatoes.

Step#3: Prepare the Tomatoes

• Drizzle some olive oil on the top of each cut tomato. You could core the tomatoes with a melon baller if you wish, but to save time, you can also just leave them as is. 
• Transfer them to the sheet pan with the lamb and shallots while you create the bread crumb mixture.
• Then top each tomato with the bread crumb mixture and place the whole tray in the oven to roast together at 325F for 25 minutes.

Step#4: Prepare the Tarragon Mustard Sauce

• I love this sauce because it’s SO easy and so delicious! It’s a wonderful combination with the lamb, as well as the shallots and the tomatoes. 
• You’ll combine heavy cream in a small saucepan. Then you’ll add 2 types of mustard. I like to use both Dijon mustard for flavor and whole grain mustard for texture.
• Then add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, and fresh tarragon and that’s it! 

Make-Ahead Tip:

You can make the mustard tarragon sauce a day ahead and then place it in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do the day you plan to serve it is reheat and serve. 

Step#5: Carve The Lamb and Serve! 

• Allow the lamb to rest for a full 15 minutes to assure when you cut into it the juices don’t spill out all over your board.
• This will lead to a dried-out piece of meat since all the juice has spilled out onto your board.
• Not to worry, a large cut of meat like this will remain warm in the interior, and you can also cover the top tightly in foil too if you wish. 
• Meanwhile, place the sheet pan with the tomatoes and shallots back in the oven at just 200F to keep warm. 

Serving the Sauce

• Pour the mustard sauce over the lamb. Since the lamb has been resting for 15 minutes it will be warm, but the sauce will be hot, so pouring the sauce over the lamb, brings the temperature of the lamb up too.
• Then serve the lamb with the shallots and the tomato and you’ll have one beautiful and delicious Easter dinner!

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Slow Roasted Lamb Chop Recipe with Tarragon Mustard Sauce

Yield: serves 4

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

This recipe is so easy because after some initial searing and sautéing of the shallots, everything, including the tomato, roasts on one-sheet pan in the oven. This eliminates the stress of making sure everything is done on time! 

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Ingredients

For the Lamb:

• 1 2lb-Rack of lamb
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
• freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh rosemary, minced

For the Shallots:

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
• 6 whole shallots, peeled and quartered
• 1 tsp (5 ml) balsamic vinegar

For Tomatoes:

• 4 medium tomatoes, tops sliced off
• 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) panko bread crumbs
• ½ tsp (2.5ml) Herbs de Provence
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh parsley, minced

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Dijon Mustard
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) whole grain mustard
• 2-3 dashed Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh tarragon, chopped
• 8 (1-inch [2.5 cm]) sprigs of tarragon for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325F.

Season all sides of the lamb with salt, pepper, and rosemary, pressing the seasonings into the racks so they stick. Place the rack in large resealable plastic bags and refrigerate overnight. 

The bag will take up less room in your fridge than a casserole dish.  You can even use those crispier drawers to store it as well. Let’s face it, it’s all about maximizing the fridge space during the holidays! 

Before searing the lamb, assemble the Provencal tomatoes. Slice the tops off the tomatoes and just a sliver off the bottoms if needed to stabilize them. In a small bowl mix together the bread crumbs, seasonings and oil with a fork. Sprinkle mixture on each tomato and place them on a large, heavy bottom rim-lined sheet pan. 

Before searing the lamb, brush off the rosemary. The lamb is already seasoned with its flavor and this will prevent burnt rosemary in your pan. 

Add the olive oil to a wide skillet. Heat the skillet on medium-high and once the oil is shimmering sear the lamb on all sides until golden brown. This goes quickly and should only take about 3-4 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a plate to rest.

Place the shallots in the pan drippings, cut side down. Don’t move them until they start to caramelize and turn a golden brown. About 2 minutes or so. Then flip the shallots and sauté them until they are golden brown and fork tender.  Season the shallots with salt and pepper to taste. Then add the balsamic vinegar, deglazing the pan and tossing the shallots to coat.

Transfer the lamb and shallots to the sheet pan with the tomatoes and roast together at 325F for 25 minutes for medium doneness. This will provide a nice pink interior and the best flavor. 

Transfer the lamb to a carving board. Cover it with foil to keep warm and allow it to rest for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the mustard sauce.

In a large saucepan add the heavy cream, mustards, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken for 5-8 minutes. Add fresh tarragon and stir to combine.

To carve, place the lamb upright with the meaty side down and the bones up in the air and carve single chops in between the bones.  Serve 2 chops per person, crisscrossing the bones at the top of the plate, with a few shallots tucked in between the meat side of the chop, at the bottom of the plate.  Drizzle the chops with the mustard sauce and garnish with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) sprig of fresh tarragon. Set the tomatoes off to the side of each plate and serve.

Notes

AT THE STORE:

Ask your butcher to trim the lamb.  This is a skill best left to professionals. A proper trimming should take the fat off the lamb all the way to the meat line, exposing the bones entirely. This will provide you with more elegant looking chops once they are carved and placed on the plate.

 THE DAY BEFORE:

Season the lamb and rub it with the rosemary. Place it in the bags and refrigerate. Seasoning the day before will provide the best flavor.

Peel and quarter the shallots. Cover and refrigerate. Peeling shallots can be a pesky task and its best to get this done ahead of time instead when you have a house full of guests.

It’s also easier to quarter the shallots first and then peel them.  They’ll be much easier to peel that way.

You could make the mustard sauce the day before, cover and refrigerate. Then reheat on a low simmer while your lamb is resting.

THE DAY OF:

An hour before guests arrive you could also make the bread crumb topping and slice your tomatoes. Leave both covered at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 874Total Fat: 62gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 209mgSodium: 468mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 5gSugar: 10gProtein: 53g