Grilled Ouzo-and-Nutmeg Lamb Chops

• Recipe by Diane Kochilas

One night, with a newborn in tow, Diane Kochilas's husband, Vassili Stenos, set out to improvise a recipe that would be easy and tasty. He marinated lamb chops in a mixture of ingredients he happened to have on hand.

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 cups ouzo
2. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3. 2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
4. 1 teaspoon cracked peppercorns
5. Salt
6. 12 lamb loin chops

Directions

1. Pour the ouzo into a shallow dish just large enough to hold the lamb chops in a single layer; add the olive oil, nutmeg, peppercorns and a big pinch of salt. Turn the chops in the marinade to coat. Let stand at cool room temperature for 3 hours, turning the chops every 30 minutes.
2. Light a grill. Remove the chops from the marinade and season with salt and pepper; reserve the marinade. Grill the chops over a medium-hot fire, basting frequently with the marinade, until lightly charred outside and medium rare within, about 8 minutes per side.