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lamb chops dijon
Grilled Lamb Chops Dijon

pepper pasta salad
Grilled Pepper Pasta Salad

Menu Plan for the week of June 21, 2013: Day 2 Recipes

Grilled Lamb Chops Dijon
Grilled Pepper Pasta Salad

Cooking time:  35 minutes for menu     Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

       Grilled chops and a salad - what could be easier? . Do the peppers before the chops.

Grilled Lamb Chops Dijon                                           Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes
     Mustard, garlic and rosemary are the perfect flavors for lamb....    

4 - 6 center-cut lamb chops - depending on size
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbs chopped/snipped fresh basil
1 clove garlic
1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
2 tbs soft butter

Sprinkle chops with garlic powder, drizzle with oil and allow to sit until ready to cook.  Cook on barbecue grill over medium-high - high heat for 2 - 5 minutes per side.  Or in a non-stick skillet or grill pan for the same amount of time.  Timing, as always, depends on thickness and desired degree of doneness (I don't know if that is a word - but you get the idea).  We do ours on a hot grill 2 minutes per side for medium rare.  When you think they might be close take one off, cut into center and peak.  You can always put them back on to cook more - you cannot undo...
When done to your liking remove from heat, divide basil butter to top each chop and serve.
Dijon-Basil Butter: Mince garlic and basil together.  Put into a small bowl, add mustard and butter and mix well.  Can be made ahead, shaped into a log, chilled and sliced before putting on chops.   Or not!

Grilled Pepper Pasta Salad                                Preparation and cooking time:   30 minutes
   
Grilling peppers and onions adds a layer of sweetness not found with simple frying.  If you don't do them on the grill, roast them on a baking sheet in a 400F (200C) oven for 30 minutes, stirring once.  They should be just slightly crispy around the edges in spots when done.

1 cup (3.5oz, 100gr) bite-size pasta - penne, fusilli, etc. 
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper  
1 large onion
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup (3oz, 90gr) black, dry-cured, Greek olives
2 ribs celery (about 1/2 cup)
2 tbs fresh snipped basil
2oz (60gr) feta cheese (about 1/3 cup)
Vinaigrette:
3 tbs salad olive oil
1 tbs Balsamic vinegar
2 tsp Dijon-style mustard

Cook pasta according to package directions.  When pasta is done drain well, rinse briefly with cold water, drain well again, and put into a large bowl.
Slice peppers and onions thickly.  Put olive oil and Balsamic vinegar in a large bowl, add peppers, onions, and toss well to coat.  Put into 'grill pan' (a metal or foil pan dedicated to use on the grill) or onto a mesh grill pan (the idea is not to have the stuff fall through the grate into the fire....) Cook over medium heat on barbecue grill for 10 - 15 minutes, until they have a nice color.  
Snip large basil leaves, leave small ones whole. Cut olives in half. Slice celery at an angle. Cube or crumble feta.
Vinaigrette: Put mustard into a small bowl, add vinegar and whisk,  Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly until thick. 
To finish: Add peppers, onions, celery, basil, olives, feta and vinaigrette to pasta.  Toss gently to combine.

Cooking Schedule: 35 minutes for menu
Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes
Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives,
small bowl (used 2 X), whisk, dish for marinating,
pot, colander for pasta, grill pan for peppers/onions
or baking sheet,
barbecue grill and tools, salad bowl
Put water on high heat for pasta
Turn on/light barbecue grill  (or oven- 400F, 200C)
Mix marinade, brush on chops
Slice peppers, onions
Mix oil, vinegar, add peppers, onions, mix
Put peppers and onions in pan, start to grill/roast

Mince garlic, basil
Make Dijon-Basil Butter, chill
Start to cook pasta
Snip basil, slice celery, cut olives
Mind the peppers, onions, remove when done
Start to cook chops
Make vinaigrette
Drain pasta, rinse, drain again
Turn chops
Put pasta and all salad ingredients into a large bowl
Add vinaigrette, toss well
Remove chops, Serve

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