Lamb cutlets with crushed potato and pesto

So delicious Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured lamb cutlets need little else. However this recipe is pesto perfect. Try making your own pesto; it’s easy if you have a food processor. If not, use a good shop bought one.
Lamb cutlets with crushed potato and pesto preparation time
Prep: 20 minutes
Lamb cutlets with crushed potato and pesto cook time
Cook: 15 minutes
Lamb cutlets with crushed potato and pesto preparation time Serves: 8
Lamb cutlets with crushed potato and pesto preparation time Cook Using: Hob

Method

  • Simply put all of the ingredients, apart from the olive oil, into a food processor and whiz, add the oil in a slow steady stream until you have a creamy green sauce. Set to one side and let the flavours start to develop. This can be made a day or two before and kept in the fridge.
  • Steam the new potatoes until tender. Meanwhile brush the lamb cutlets with a little olive oil, rub with the garlic clove and sprinkle with salt and pepper, grill for a few minutes on each side until cooked to your liking. 
  • When the potatoes are cooked place them into a large dish with a few drops of the olive oil and crush briefly with a fork; the potatoes should be slightly broken – not mashed. 
  • Add the chopped herbs, lemon juice, salt, pepper and a little more olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are combined.
  • Serve the lamb on warm plates with crushed potato, fried red onions and drizzle with the pesto.

Ingredients

  • 8 Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured lamb cutlets
  • 1 Garlic clove
  • A little olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Basil pesto
  • 30 g(1oz) Fresh basil leaves (about half of a supermarket pot plant)
  • 1 Clove of garlic peeled and chopped
  • 30 g(1oz) Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 15 g(0.5oz) Toasted pine nuts (toast in a hot oven for around 5 minutes until golden)
  • 2 g or pinch sugar
  • 1 g or pinch salt
  • 100 ml(3floz) extra virgin olive oil

For the crushed potato:

  • 1.5 kg(3 lb) New potatoes, scraped clean not peeled
  • Olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp Lemon juice
  • Handful of chopped fresh herbs, parsley, chives or basil
  • Salt and black pepper