Greek Lamb chops marinaded in the oven

For the marinade

8 lamb rib chops (approx. 700g/ 25 oz.)

1/3 of a cup olive oil

1 clove of garlic

1 1/2 tbsp mustard

1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary (optional)

zest of 1 lemon

3-4 peppercorns

For the potatoes

4 medium sized potatoes, cut into wedges

1 large clove of garlic, minced

50ml olive oil (1/4 of a cup)

80ml water (1/3 of a cup)

1 tsp dried oregano

juice of 1 lemon

salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Instructions

To prepare this Greek lamb chops recipe (paidakia) start by preparing the marinade. In a shallow glass baking dish add all the marinade ingredients and blend. Add the lamb chops (paidakia) and rub the meat with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for a least 3 hours (if you have the time leave overnight).

Return the lamb chops at room temperature and preheat the oven to 200C.

Cut the potatoes into wedges and place them on a large metal roasting pan. Into a bowl add the remaining ingredients and blend. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and season well with salt and pepper. (The potatoes and the ‘paidakia’ cook at different times, so you should add the lamb chops later, about 20-30 minutes before the end of cooking time).

Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, until a nice golden crust has formed on the potatoes. Turn them out of the oven, toss them a little bit to bring them upside down, sprinkle with a pinch of oregano and put back into the oven for another 30-40 minutes. If all of the liquid has been absorbed and the pan appears to be getting dry, add 1/4 of a cup hot water into the pan, before they have fully browned.

Remove the paidakia (Greek lambs chops) from the marinade and season with salt and pepper.  Place the lamb chops in the same pan (on a single layer) and bake for 20-25 minutes flipping them sides halfway through cooking time. (Greeks are not big fans of medium rare, but if you like your lamb chops pink, grill over high heat for 1 minute lto get them all crispy and pop in the oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping them sides halfway through cooking time.)

Let the paidakia (Greek lamb chops) rest for 5-10 minutes and serve with a last minute squeeze of a lemon and a pinch of dried oregano.