Champvallon Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season lamb all over with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge lamb in flour, turning to coat evenly; shake off excess. Heat oil and butter in an 8-quart Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Working in two batches, cook until shanks are well browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer shanks to a large plate; drain off all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet.
• Place skillet over medium heat; add onions and leek, and saute until they are lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add garlic; cook 4 minutes more. Add red wine; deglaze pan by scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Return shanks to skillet, and add chicken stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil; cover, and place in oven. Braise 2 hours; add fennel, and cook 30 minutes.
• Using a slotted spatula, transfer shanks and vegetables to a large bowl. Cover; set aside. Using a ladle, skim fat from surface of cooking liquid; cook over medium heat until liquid is thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Return shanks and vegetables to pan; cook until heated through. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the inside of a flameproof (such as enameled cast iron)
• 9 1/2 by 12 by 4-inch baking dish with the butter.
• Season the lamb chops with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. In batches, cook the lamb chops, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the potatoes, onion, thyme, garlic, pepper, and the remaining
• 2 teaspoons salt. Spread half of the potatoes in the dish. Arrange the lamb chops on top, then cover with the remaining potatoes. Pour the lamb stock and chicken stock into the dish. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake until the potatoes are very tender, about 3 1/2 hours. During the last 30 minutes, remove the foil so the potatoes can brown lightly.

Steps:

• In a dish large enough to hold the lamb chops in a single layer, combine half the lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, the rosemary, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Add the lamb, turn to coat with the marinade and set aside for about 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, for about 1 minute. Pat the chops dry and season on 1 side with salt and pepper. Add enough oil to lightly coat the surface of the pan. Working in batches if needed, add the chops seasoned side down to the pan. Cook until crisp and brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season the top side with salt and pepper, turn, and continue cooking until just firm and an instant-read thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees F, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Allow the chops to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pour off any fat left in the pan. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the chicken stock, and scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add half the remaining lemon juice and simmer until the mixture is reduced to a glaze, about 4 minutes. Swirl in 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the basil and olives and season. Return the lamb chops to the sauce and toss and turn to coat thoroughly with sauce. Arrange chops on a platter, pour sauce over shops and garnish with basil leaves.