A Little Something Special

We were always a meat and potatoes family, and then one year my dad decided to de-bone a leg of lamb for Christmas.  That sealed the deal.  A few years ago he started making lamb loin chops which became my sister's "going back to college" meal.  Every time she would have to go back to school we would have these for dinner.  Rob isn't the biggest fan but he will indulge in this delicious meal every once in a while.  I have been cooking chicken like it's my job so I decided that we would have a little something special today.  My dad never really writes down recipes so I really just have a scrap of paper with some ingredients written on it - no measurements, so this is technically my shortened version of ingredients.  Jen has had them though and given them her seal of approval.

Ingredients: (serves 2)

4 lamb loin chops (usually my dad and I buy the big ones at Costco and split them)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 clove garlic - minced
salt
pepper

Mix dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, spread on chops and let marinate (I guess you could do this over night, I never think of it in time.  I also have to do this while Rob isn't around because he HATES mustard, you don't taste mustard in the end, it just adds a nice flavor.)

Turn the broiler on in your oven and make sure the rack is all the way at the bottom.  Place chops on a rack on top of a baking sheet.  Broil chops for about 10 minutes, check them, and turn over.  Continue broiling until medium rare.  Mine were small so they only took about 15 minutes total.

I was so excited today when I found fingerling potatoes at the supermarket near my school.  I usually use baby Yukon Golds because I can never find them.  I slice the potatoes long ways and cook them in a pan with olive oil, butter, and onions.  If I am short on time I microwave the sliced potatoes for 5 minutes and then add them to the onions, butter, and olive oil, otherwise I just cook them altogether and cover them in the beginning so that they steam and get soft. (about 5-10 minutes depending on the thickness of your potatoes.)

Then I take the top off to crisp the outsides up a little and add 1 clove minced garlic. I always make some extra because they make perfect home fries Saturday morning.

Served with green beans and mint jelly - a perfect special meal.