Lamb Shoulder Chops with Smoky Red Pepper-Shallot Butter

Ingredients

• 2 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
• 1-½ tsp. cumin seed, toasted and coarsely ground
• 1 Tbs. sherry vinegar, warmed slightly
• 1-½ Tbs. chopped piquillo pepper (or roasted red pepper)
• 2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 (¾- to 1-inch-thick) lamb shoulder blade or arm chops (about 2 lb. total)
• 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• + 4 more ingredients
• • 1-½ Tbs. finely chopped shallot
  • ½ plus ¹/₈ tsp. sweet or hot pimentón (smoked paprika)
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano

Combine the garlic and 1 ­tsp. salt in a small mortar and grind to a smooth paste with the pestle. Add the oregano, cumin, and 1/2 ­tsp. of the pimentón; work with the pestle to combine. Stir in the olive oil to make a smooth paste. Pat the lamb chops dry and rub the paste evenly over all of them...

View full recipe at Fine Cooking