RECIPE

Grilled Ouzo-and-Nutmeg Lamb Chops

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN plus 3 hr marinating
  • SERVINGS: 6

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.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • OTHER TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 6

Ingredients

  • 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.