My First Italian Lamb Chops and Something Undercooked!

Snowmageddon reared its ugly head once again and it left me home alone, at least for a little while, I perused my fridge and found some lamb that needed cooking.  Last week I saw it on sale and I bought it under duress because I don't really like lamb.

My mom tells a story about Easter when I was five or six in which I demanded a Swanson TV dinner because she was cooking a leg of lamb instead of turkey. She complied and I loved it, I never got TV dinners.   As I aged, my palette expanded and I have liked lamb in the past, usually in greek or turkish style cooking, with copious amounts of Tsatziki or cream, cooked over open fire.  I do not like the gaminess or odor of lamb, but I like liver, go figure.

Tonight's recipe was very simple, "Lamb Chops Cooked in Vinegar."  It started with a marinade of lamb chops,  white wine vinegar, onion, parsley and olive oil.  As directed, I let it sit for an hour while I folded wedding invitations.  Invitation folding is totally on an as needed basis.  After an hour, I drained the chops and added them to a hot pan with some more olive oil.  I was then directed to cook them for two minutes on each side.  Eager not to overcook the protein for a change, I followed directions and I had barely warm raw meat.  I attempted to serve it to my fiance, who as the record shows, pretty much loves everything I cook, but alas no.  He asked for a refire, take that J.!  I cooked them for about 4 more minutes on each side and they were edible.  I ate it, it had no happy zing of vinegar or satisfying crisp and was very gamy smelling.

The true treat of the meal were the green beans which I steamed in the microwave (cringe, I keep it honest) and served with butter and Nana Salt.   What is Nana salt you might wonder?  It is an herb infused salt that my future mother in law makes and it is delicious.  The recipe comes from her grandmother in law, who was an Italian ex-patriate.   Once I tried it, I was hooked.  So much so that I beg for Nana salt in various weird containers when I go over to my future in law's home.  Pretty much everyone who tries it does the same thing.  Nana salt saved dinner, thanks Nana and K.  I think for the rest of this week I will stick to familiar meats.