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Braaied lamb chops
Lamstjops: Karoo lamb loin chops seasoned simply and grilled over wood coals
Ask a Karoo farmer for a braai rub and you will be handed the salt grinder: good lamb chops off the veld need salt, pepper and wood coals, and nothing else. On a Saturday evening in Colesberg or Cradock the chops go on last, after the boerewors, and come off with crisp, smoky fat and juicy, rosy meat. Pile them on a board with pap and tomato smoor, a potato salad and a braaibroodjie or two. Chops cut too thin, under 2 cm, dry out before the fat crisps, so ask the butcher for thick ones. Chef's tip: stand the chops upright on their fat edge for the first few minutes, held together with tongs, so the fat renders and crisps before the meat goes flat on the grid.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 8 lamb loin chopsabout 2.5 cm thick (about 1.2 kg)
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 tsp coarse salt
- 1 lemon (optional)cut into wedges, to serve
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Take 8 lamb loin chops out of the fridge 20 minutes before grilling. Pat dry and rub lightly with 1 tbsp sunflower oil.
Step 2: Make a wood fire and let it burn down to hot coals; you should be able to hold your hand above the grid for only 3–4 seconds.
Step 3: Season the chops on both sides with 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper and 1 tsp coarse salt.
Step 4: Hold 4 chops upright together with tongs, fat edge down on the grid, until the fat is golden and crisp. Repeat with the rest.
3 minStep 5: Lay the chops flat and grill, turning once, until both sides are well browned and a thermometer in the thickest part reads 145°F for pink or 158°F for medium-well. Move them to cooler coals if the fat flares.
9 minStep 6: Sprinkle with the rest of 1 tsp coarse salt, rest on a warm board for 3 minutes and serve with 1 lemon wedges if you like.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbs
- 0 g
- Fat
- 41 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does braaied lamb chops take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of coarsely ground black pepper?
- Black peppercorns, freshly ground, same amount.
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