Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Orzo with Spring Pesto and Lemony Lamb Chops -- 04/28/10

Orzo with Spring Pesto and Lemony Lamb Chops

Ingredients

  • 8 lamb rib chops (if the chops are running small, allow 3 per portion)
  • EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling, plus 5-6 tablespoons
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 cup rice
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 cups flat-leaf parsley – 1 bunch
  • 1/2 cup mint, a couple of handfuls
  • A handful, 3 to 4 tablespoons, pistachios or pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 1 large clove of garlic, minced or grated
  • A generous handful of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Rub chops with a little EVOO and season chops liberally with salt and pepper. Arrange on broiler pan and preheat broiler.

In a pot with tight fitting lid over medium heat melt butter in a drizzle of EVOO. Add orzo pasta and cook to golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Stir in rice and stock and raise heat to bring to a boil. Cover pot and cook 17-18 minutes until tender.

Meanwhile, in a food processor combine parsley, mint, nuts, garlic, cheese, the zest of 1 lemon, salt and pepper. Turn processor on and stream in 4-5 tablespoons of EVOO to make pesto.

Dress tomatoes and scallions with about 1 tablespoon EVOO, then salt and pepper.

Broil chops 3-4 minutes on each side for rare to medium-rare. Squeeze lemon juice over top immediately after you remove them from the oven.

Stir pesto into rice pilaf to combine. Serve chops alongside pesto rice pilaf and tomato salad.