This summer we’ve teamed up with trained chef and BBQ master Richard Holden to produce a series of restaurant-worthy recipes to help curb our appetites while in lockdown. From British classics to Mediterranean favourites, Richard’s Lockdown Menu brings the flavours and quality of the foods we’re all missing to our own kitchens.

Remember starters? Those wonderful little pre-dinner dinners we once enjoyed at restaurants. If you’re longing for the excitement of a first course from home, these lamb chops with olive tapenade are sure to hit the spot. Bursting with fresh herbs and Mediterranean flavours, they’ll bring back the sweet taste of summer holidays. Don’t forget to make sure your chops are perfectly pink inside by checking the temperature with your Thermapen.

Temperatures

Cook the chops until they reach a core temperature in the low – mid 60’s.

Lamb Rare: 52°C

Lamb Medium: 60°C

Lamb Well Done: 71°C

Ingredients

For the lamb chops

• 4 long bone lamb cutlets
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 rosemary sprig
• ½ chilli
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the tapenade

• 150g Kalamata olives (stone in)
• 3 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• ½ chilli
• ½ garlic clove
• Lemon zest
• Sprig of fresh thyme
• Small sprig of fresh rosemary
• Olive oil

Directions

To make the marinade for the lamb

• Begin by crushing the coriander seeds in a pestle and mortar or by using the flat side of a broad knife against a board.
• Once the seeds are crushed, strip the rosemary needles from the stem and chop finely. Deseed the chilli and dice finely before mixing with the remaining ingredients to form a paste. Rub this over the lamb chops and space on a tray to sit and infuse at room temperature for 30 minutes.

While the lamb marinades

• Prepare the tapenade by squashing the olives to remove the stones. Chop the olives and tomatoes and mix together. Finely chop the deseeded chilli and garlic before adding to the olive and tomatoes.
• Cut the lemon zest into thin strips and finely chop the rosemary before adding to the mixture with the stripped thyme leaves and fennel seeds. With all of the ingredients together on the board chop through a few times to incorporate them before adding a few tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil.

Cook the lamb chops

• Preheat the grill to a medium heat. Cook the lamb chops until they reach a core temperature in the low – mid 60’s degrees celsius before removing. *Cooking from room temperature at a slightly lower grill temperature gives the fat along the bone time to render and turn crispy without overcooking the eye of the lamb chop.
• Mix the flour with a little water and stir it in. Bring to the boil and allow the sauce to thicken. Whisk in the butter, and sieve before serving.
• Divide the tapenade and chops between 4 serving plates and serve as a light starter or tasting plate.

Richard Holden

Trained Chef & BBQ Specialist

@richardholdencooks

"I'm all about cooking from scratch using the best quality ingredients. When you know exactly what's gone into your food you want to make sure it's cooked perfectly. With the speed and accuracy of a Thermapen you know this is spot on every time."