With the holiday weekend approaching, I thought a simple lamb dish would be perfect. Or, really, for any time you’re looking for a special, quick dinner. Hot honey gives a sweet taste with a little kick that adds a zesty flavor to the lamb. Honey infused with some chilis has become a popular condiment for many savory dishes, pastries and even cocktails.

New potatoes (also called creamers) along with green beans complement the lamb and take only a few minutes to make in the microwave oven. New potatoes measure about 3/4 inch in diameter. Red potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces can be used instead of new potatoes.

HELPFUL HINTS:

If hot honey is not available, use honey and add a few drops of hot sauce to it.

When broiling the lamb, check to see that the oven rack is about 7 to 8 inches from the heat.

COUNTDOWN:

Preheat broiler.

Mix sauce for lamb.

Microwave potatoes and green beans.

Broil lamb.

SHOPPING LIST:

To buy: 1 pound loin lamb chops (on the bone about 1-inch thick), 1 bottle hot honey, 1 jar grainy mustard, 3/4 pound new potatoes, 1/2 pound green beans, 1 bottle reduced fat oil and vinegar dressing.

Staples: salt and black peppercorns.

Sweet Spiced Lamb Chops

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

1 pound loin lamb chops (on the bone), about 1-inch tick

2 tablespoons hot honey

2 tablespoons grainy mustard

Preheat broiler. Mix hot honey and mustard together in a small bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with foil and place lamb on the foil. Place the sheet in the oven about 7-inches from the heat. Broil chops for 3 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and brush the chops with the sauce. Return the sheet to the oven and broil for 3 more minutes. Remove the sheet and turn over the chops. Brush them with the sauce and return the sheet to the oven and broil for 1 minute. A meat thermometer should read 135 degrees for medium rare. Divide the chops between 2 dinner plates and spoon and remaining sauce from the small bowl over the chops.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 398 calories (33 percent from fat), 14.6 g fat (6.6 g saturated, 0.3 g monounsaturated), 126 mg cholesterol, 49.3 g protein, 18.3 g carbohydrates, 0.7 g fiber, 297 mg sodium.

New Potatoes and Green Beans

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

3/4 pound new potatoes (about 1 3/4 cups)

1 tablespoon water

1/2 pound green beans cut to 1 inch pieces (about 2 cups)

2 tablespoons reduced fat oil and vinegar dressing

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Wash potatoes do not peel and place them in a large microwave safe bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water and cover the bowl with a plate of plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and add the green beans. Cove the bowl and return to the microwave. Microwave on high 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave and toss with the oil and vinegar dressing and salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl again and let stand until the lamb is broiled. Divide the potatoes and green beans in half and serve on the dinner plates with the lamb.

Yield 2 servings.

Per serving: 173 calories (6 percent from fat), 1.2 g fat (0.1 g saturated, 0.3 g monounsaturated), 1 mg cholesterol, 5.6 g protein, 38.5 g carbohydrates, 5.6 g fiber, 11 mg sodium.

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