Ingredients

  • 1 bulb green garlic, root and dark green parts trimmed, outer layer removed, or 2 mature garlic cloves, peeled
  • Kosher salt
  • 6 brined, jarred grape leaves
  • Olive oil blended with vegetable oil, for shallow frying
  • ¾ cup orzo pasta
  • 4 3/4- inch-thick lamb blade chops (1 1/2 pounds)
  • Sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup good-quality lamb or chicken stock
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      878 calories; 72 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 40 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 34 grams protein; 214 milligrams cholesterol; 557 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

4 servings

Preparation

  1. Slice green garlic crosswise very, very thinly or grate mature garlic on a Microplane. In a small bowl, toss garlic with a large pinch of kosher salt.
  2. Pat grape leaves dry with paper towels. In a medium skillet, heat 1/4 inch of blended oil until shimmering. Add 1 grape leaf at a time and fry over medium heat, turning once until crisp and translucent, 15 to 20 seconds. Using tongs, transfer to paper towels.
  3. In a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, cook orzo until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water and return to saucepan.
  4. Heat a grill or grill pan. Season chops on both sides with sea salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until almost medium, about 8 minutes. If a chop curls, snip one edge with kitchen scissors. Transfer to a platter.
  5. Heat stock to barely simmering. In a glass or stainless bowl, whisk egg yolks with lemon juice. Whisk in hot stock in a steady stream. Set orzo over medium-high heat. Stir in yolk-stock mixture (avgolemono) and salted garlic, and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper.
  6. Transfer chops and orzo to plates. Garnish with fried grape leaves and serve.

1 hour

Dining and Cooking