Braised Lamb with Spiced Chocolate Sauce

 Braised Lamb with Spiced Chocolate Sauce

 2 Servings | 10-minute Prep Time | 1-hour and 20-minute Cook Time

Ingredients

1 lb. Lamb Loin Chops

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Medium-Sized Red Onion, diced

1 Large Carrot, sliced to same size as onion 

1 Celery Rib, sliced to same size as onion

4 Fresh Garlic Cloves, minced

2 c. Beef Stock

1 c. Red Wine Vinegar

1 c. Water

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1 tsp. Cardamom

1 tsp. Paprika

1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ c. Extra Dark Chocolate Chips

Salt

Pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F.

Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Pat the lamb dry and season with salt and pepper.

Add olive oil to the skillet and sear every side of the lamb.

Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside.

Sauté carrot, onion, and celery in the skillet until softened and onions begin to appear translucent, about 7 minutes.

Add garlic to the pan and continue cooking until it becomes fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Add beef stock, red wine vinegar, water, chili powder, cardamom, paprika, and cinnamon to the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Add lamb back into the pan and cover with an oven-safe lid.

Place the covered skillet in the oven and braise the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 135°F and becomes tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Remove the pan from the oven and set back on the stove burner.

Remove the lamb from the pan and tent with foil to rest.

To make the sauce, reduce the remaining liquid in the pan by ½ over medium-high heat, about 10-15 minutes, then add chocolate to the braising liquid in the pan and keep on low heat until fully melted. 

Finally, immersion blend, or blend sauce in standing blender, until smooth.

Serve over crispy smashed potatoes with a side of roasted Brussels sprouts.