A very happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! I hope all those "it's the thought that counts" breakfasts in bed are free of any major incidents. Sure, it would have been easier for your kids to take you to brunch, but then how would they have known for sure the smoke alarms in the kitchen really worked?

I was trying to think of a recipe that really reminded me of my Mom. I came up with lamb chops with mint jelly. This was one of those special occasion meals that I just loved as a kid. The best part for me was dipping the smoky grilled lamb into the bright green mint jelly. To this day, any time I see a jar of mint jelly at the store, I think of sitting at her table.

When I graduated culinary school and moved to California, I quickly realized that jarred mint jelly was not looked upon kindly in the fancy food world. So, I'm posting this recipe for a homemade version that's really simple to make, and goes beautifully with the grilled lamb shoulder chops. Enjoy!

Photo © John Mitzewich