Zinfandel-Braised Lamb Chops with Dried Fruit

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (cut 1 inch thick) lamb shoulder chops
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 8 cloves garlic, halved
• 10 sprigs thyme, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup big, jammy red wine, such as California Zinfandel
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) dried cherries
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) dried California apricots, quartered
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

Preparation

1. In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper and rub them all over with the coriander. Add the lamb chops to the skillet along with the garlic cloves and 10 thyme sprigs and cook over high heat, turning once, until the lamb chops are browned and the garlic cloves are browned in spots, about 6 minutes.
2. Add the red wine, dried cherries and dried apricots to the skillet and bring to a boil. Cook over moderate heat until the wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer over moderately low heat until the lamb is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy, about 35 minutes; turn the lamb chops once or twice during cooking. Discard the thyme sprigs. Serve the lamb chops at once, garnished with fresh thyme.