Lamb Shoulder Chops With Smoky Red Pepper-Shallot Butter

• 2 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
• Kosher salt
• 1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano
• 1-1/2 tsp. cumin seed, toasted and coarsely ground
• 1/2 plus 1/8 tsp. sweet or hot pimenton (smoked paprika)
• 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (3/4- to 1-inch-thick) lamb shoulder blade or arm chops (about 2 lb. total)
• 2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened
• 1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped shallot
• 1-1/2 Tbs. chopped piquillo pepper (or roasted red pepper)
• 1 Tbs. sherry vinegar, warmed slightly

1. Combine the garlic and 1 -tsp. salt in a small mortar and grind to a smooth paste with the pestle. Add the oregano, cumin, and 1/2 -tsp. of the pimenton; work with the pestle to combine. Stir in the olive oil to make a smooth paste. Pat the lamb chops dry and rub the paste evenly over all of them. Let sit at room temperature for about an hour.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the butter, shallot, piquillo pepper, vinegar, and the remaining 1/8- tsp. pimenton. Season to taste with salt and set aside.
3. Heat two 10- to 12-inch heavy-duty skillets over medium-high heat. Arrange two chops in each skillet and cook until browned on the bottom, about 2- minutes. Flip and sear on the second side for another minute. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook the chops until the internal temperature registers 125u0b0F for medium rare, 4 -to 6 -minutes more. (If you nick the thick part of a chop to peek inside, it should be rosy but not bloody.) For medium doneness, cook to 135u0b0F, 6 -to 8- minutes more.
4. Transfer the chops to a large platter or 4- dinner plates and immediately smear each with some of the butter. The heat of the chops should melt just enough of the butter to lightly sauce the meat. Let the chops rest for 3- to 5 -minutes before serving.
5. Make Ahead Tips
6. The lamb chops can be rubbed with their spice paste, covered and refrigerated for up to 8 hours. Let come to room temperature before cooking

garlic, kosher salt, fresh oregano, cumin, sweet, extravirgin olive oil, lamb shoulder blade, unsalted butter, shallot, piquillo pepper, sherry vinegar

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/lamb-shoulder-chops-with-smoky-red-pepper-shallot-butter-50126943 (may not work)