Blue Corn Tortilla Encrusted Rack Of Lamb With Horseradish Mashed Potatoes And Balsamic Asparagus Food

MUSTARD CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Season rack of lamb well on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat a medium skillet over high heat and, when hot, add the oil. When the oil is almost smoking, add the rack of lamb and brown well on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a plate and set aside to cool slightly before proceeding.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Using the back of a spoon, spread the mustard evenly over all sides of the lamb. Spread the minced garlic over the lamb in the same manner.
• In a small mixing bowl combine the breadcrumbs and grated cheese and toss to thoroughly combine. Using your hands or a spoon, spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly all over the lamb, pressing so that the crumbs adhere to the meat.
• Place the rack of lamb on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes for medium-rare. Allow lamb to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before carving into chops to serve.
• Serve with some of the Fig Chutney, if desired.
• In a large saucepan combine the vinegar, sugar, onion, ginger, mustard seeds, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, salt, allspice, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened and reduced by 2/3, forming a thick syrup. Add the figs and cook gently until the figs are very soft and beginning to fall apart and most of the liquid they've given off has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• Transfer the chutney to a non-reactive container and allow to come to room temperature before serving. The chutney may be made up to 3 weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. (Alternately, hot chutney may be ladled into hot sterilized canning jars and processed in a hot-water bath according to manufacturer's directions.)

ROSEMARY RACK OF LAMB WITH CRUSHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, garlic and anchovy (or pound together in a mortar for a smoother texture). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Smear lamb all over with marinade and set aside.
• Meanwhile, boil potatoes until the tip of a paring knife meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes depending on size. When potatoes are done, drain, transfer to a roasting pan large enough to hold them in a single layer, and set aside to cool.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. With palms or the back of a wooden spoon, crush potatoes gently to crack open and slightly flatten. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with about 2 tablespoons olive oil, and turn to lightly coat.
• Lay lamb racks on top of potatoes, with bones curving downward. Scatter rosemary over meat and potatoes. Roast, uncovered, until a meat thermometer registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare), about 20 minutes. (Cook to 135 degrees for medium.)
• Remove lamb to a cutting board and let rest, tented with foil. Return potatoes to oven and leave to roast 10 to 15 minutes more, until nicely crisped.
• Use a large chef's knife to slice the racks by cutting between the bones. (One rack will yield 4 thick chops or 8 thin ones). Transfer chops and potatoes to a warm platter, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

BLUE CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• You will need a medium-sized bowl, a griddle or heavy skillet at least 8 inches in diameter, and a rolling pin.
• Place corn meal in a bowl and pour boiling water over. Stir to mix well. Let sit for fifteen minutes. Mix in one-half cup of all purpose flour. Turn this mixture out onto a bread board spread with 1/4 cup of flour. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes, incorporating the 1/4 cup of flour into the dough (and if necessary, use a little more). The dough will be soft but not at all strong. Return the dough to the bowl and cover. Let rest for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into eight pieces. Between well-floured palms, make flat round patties out of each of the eight and set aside. Heat your griddle over medium high heat, making sure that it is hot before you cook the first tortilla. On a well-floured surface (as the dough is quite sticky), carefully roll out a tortilla until it is approximately 7 to 8 inches in diameter. (We find it easiest to first pat out the dough with our fingers or between our palms, and then to roll out the tortilla at the very last just to make it uniform in thickness). Cook the tortilla as you would a wheat tortilla, approximately one minute on each side. The tortillas will be flecked with brown on both sides. When cooked, remove and wrap in a kitchen towel. Stack one on top of another.

NEW YORK STRIP WITH MAITRE BUTTER, HORSERADISH MASHED POTATOES AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• For the steak: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons salt together in a small bowl. Rub all sides of the steak with the seasoning blend. Allow to sit for 10 minutes until ready to cook.
• For the asparagus: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath in a separate bowl and add a large pinch of salt. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and blanch, cooking until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the asparagus and immediately shock in the ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
• For the steak: Coat a large cast-iron skillet with a generous layer of olive oil and let heat over medium high until shimmering and starting to smoke. Sear the steaks on all sides until a brown crust forms, about 8 minutes total.
• Carefully pour out the fat from the skillet. Nestle the garlic halves cut-side down next to the steak and drizzle in about 1 tablespoon olive oil. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the steak reaches 120 degrees F for medium-rare, about 12 minutes. Remove the steaks and garlic from the skillet and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• For the potatoes: Meanwhile, add the potatoes to a small pot of salted cold water, making sure they are submerged. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
• For the compound butter: Combine the butter, parsley, mustard, lemon zest and juice and a big pinch of salt. Mix until evenly incorporated. Set aside.
• For the potatoes: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-low until warm. Using a hand mixer, beat the potatoes until smooth. Add the cream a splash at a time, the 4 tablespoons of butter a pat at a time, and the horseradish and beat until smooth but not soupy (you may have extra cream leftover). Season with salt, then add the 2 tablespoons cold butter.
• For the asparagus: Coat a medium saute pan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt.
• Slice the steak on the bias into thick pieces. Smear with the compound butter and any extra drippings from the skillet and return to the oven in the skillet to melt the butter, about 30 seconds. Arrange on a plate and serve with the roasted garlic, asparagus and potatoes.

CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200*C/fan 180*C.
• Mix together the herbs, breadcrumbs and lemon zest and place on a plate.
• On a separate plate, mix together the mustard and honey.
• Place the racks of lamb in the mustard and honey, moving them around so they’re well covered, then roll in the herby breadcrumbs.
• Heat a frying pan, add a little olive oil and place the lamb in it to brown on all sides, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then cook in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked as you like it.
• Serve with Potato and Fennel Dauphinoise, some dressed rocket and a little salsa verde--.

TANGY HERB-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the lemon zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Spread the mixture evenly over the racks of lamb. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Season the racks of lamb with salt and pepper. In a large ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 Tb olive oil. Add the lamb and cook until browned on both sides, about 7 minutes total.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and cook until the lamb is well browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the racks, away from the bone, registers 130F for medium-rare, about 15 minutes, or until done to your liking.
• Transfer the racks to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Carve into individual chops and serve the lemon wedges alongside.

CHEESE AND HERB CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in a food processor and blend until herbs are finely chopped.
• Transfer crumb mixture to a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and toss to coat.
• Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts in fat side of the lamb racks, spacing lines one inch apart.
• Make cuts in opposite direction, forming diamond patterns on all racks.
• Heat 1 tablespoons of olive oil heavy large skillet over high heat.
• Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper and place one rack in pan, fat side down.
• Cook until golden, about 5 minutes; transfer to a work surface.
• Repeat with remaining racks.
• Spread scored side of each rack with 1 tablespoons of mustard, then coat with 1/3 of the crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
• Place on rimmed baking sheets and bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees F. until golden and thermometer inserted into center of lamb registers 135 degrees F. for medium-rare, about 40 minute.
• Let stand 10 minutes and then cut racks into chops.