An inexpensive, quick midweek meal
A quick, tasty midweek meal is cumin and paprika mutton chops with chickpeas.
- Serves: 4
- Prep Time: 5 mins + 1 hour marinading (if you have time)
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Difficulty: easy
- Ideal for: family, midweek meal
Grass-fed mutton chops
So, what’s with the ‘grass-fed’?
In a nutshell, quality and animal welfare.
The planet is struggling because of what we’re doing with it; oil production and all that is brings to the party, industrialised farming, etc
And this is where buying with care kicks in and plays a crucial role in helping to look after this amazing planet.
If you cut back on meat intake by 20 – 30% with smaller portions or mixing your weekly repertoire up with some vegetarian dishes, we’re on our way to a better climate.
The other move is to support regenerative farming and buy high-welfare, grass-fed products.
They maybe more expensive, but if you’re reducing gourmet intake, then it balances out.
Grass-fed mutton is another sustainable option.
Mutton is often cheaper, it used to be looked down upon with lamb put on a pedestal.
But mutton has a deep, rich flavour and the animal has had a longer life.
4 reasons to try mutton
1. Flavour
Mutton is slightly tougher.
But you’ll be rewarded with a more intense flavour.
And works very well when slow-cooked which helps with the tenderness.
TIP:
Mutton can be available all year.
But the best meat is produced from October to March due to the sheep eating nutritious summer and autumn grass and heather.
2. Better treated
There isn’t much point in keeping a sheep for longer without being focused on quality.
So, it should mean that the animal has been treated well.
And has had a longer and happier life.
3. Nutrients
Mutton is particularly rich in iron and zinc.
Which helps the formation of blood cells and helps develop the body’s immune system.
4. Better farming practices
Raising mutton takes time and care.
So, this means that by buying mutton, you’re supporting farmers who look after their animals.
For another fabulous mutton dish, try slow-cooked spiced mutton with chillies
Cumin and Paprika Mutton Chops
Ingredients
For the chops
- 8 (grass-fed) mutton chops
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp cumin
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp oil
For the chickpeas
- 2 onions, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 400 g chickpeas – drained and rinsed
- 300 ml chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Mix the paprika, cumin and garlic together in a small bowl. Rub the mutton with 1 tbsp of the oil, then massage into the chops and leave to marinate for at least 1 hr (or do the night before).
Chickpeas
- Heat some oil in a deep drying pan on medium heat and fry the onions and red peppers until softened. Add the garlic, cumin and paprika and cook for a few more minutes.Pour in the chickpeas and stock and simmer for 10 minutes.
Mutton chops
- Bring to room temperature and scrape off any excess marinade.In a frying pan on medium – high, Render the fat by holding on the chops on their side with tongs. Then cook your chops until perfectly done i.e. approx. 3 mins each side. Remove and rest while you place your chickpeas on a large serving dish. Add you chops and serve.
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