Grill Roasted Rack Of Lamb In Red Mole Food

ROASTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Mix together the lemon zest, rosemary, salt and sugar. Season the racks on all sides with this mixture, cover and put in the refrigerator overnight. This acts like a quick cure, which will add flavor to the lamb when it is cooked.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Put a large saute pan over medium heat and add the oil. Put one of the seasoned racks in the pan fat-side down and sear until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the rack and sear the other side for a few minutes. Remove to a rimmed baking sheet fat-side up, and repeat the browning process with the other rack.
• Put the baking sheet with both racks on it in the oven and roast until the meat registers 120 degrees F to 125 degrees F in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into chops and serving.

RED MOLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice the tomatoes crosswise in half. Using a small spoon or your fingers, scrape out the seeds. Place the tomatoes cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (this keeps the acidic tomatoes from reacting with the pan) and roast for about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then remove and discard the skins and cores. Reserve.
• Meanwhile, also roast the peanuts on a baking sheet for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely grind in a food processor. Set aside.
• Toast the anchos in a small skillet over medium heat. Soak in hot water to soften, about 20 minutes. Drain, and remove the seeds and stems. Reserve.
• Heat the canola oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the plantain slices and sauté until well browned and caramelized. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
• In a dry skillet, toast the annatto, allspice, cloves, and peppercorns until fragrant. Let cool, then combine with the canela in a spice grinder and grind to a fine powder.
• In a blender, puree the anchos and chipotles until smooth. Add the plantains, ground spices, and tomatoes and puree. Reserve.
• Pour the garlic oil into a medium pot and heat over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the puree and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the peanuts and simmer for another 2 minutes. Add the chocolate and let it melt. Stir in the vinegar and chicken stock and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt. Refrigerated, this keeps for 1 month.

GRILL-ROASTED RACK OF LAMB IN RED MOLE

Steps:

• Cut the racks of lamb in half so that you have four 3- or 4-boned sections of meat.
• Place on a platter or in a baking dish and cover the meat with 1 1/2 cups of the mole (try to avoid wasting the mole on the bones). Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, and for as long as overnight. Refrigerate the remaining mole for when you serve the dish.
• Prepare a medium fire in a grill. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
• Brush off any excess marinade from the lamb. Oil the grill rack, lay the racks of lamb on it, and grill, turning once or twice, until nicely browned on all sides. Be mindful that the fat on the lamb can drip and cause the flames to flare; if this happens, simply turn the lamb over or move it away from the hottest flames.
• Transfer the meat to a small roasting pan and put it in the oven. Check it after 10 minutes, and discard any fat that may have accumulated in the bottom of the pan. Cook the lamb until it has reached the desired doneness. In my opinion, lamb from the rack is best served medium-rare. (When it is rare, the texture can be too springy; when medium-well to well-done, it often will be disagreeably dry.) An internal temperature of 130 degrees will be right - especially when you take into account that the temperature will rise another few degrees once it comes out of the oven. Allow the lamb to rest for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm the reserved mole in a small saucepan.
• Cut the lamb into chops, or serve the half-racks as they are. Offer the mole on the side, with salt and pepper.
• Recommended wine: A Zinfandel from Sonoma (but not a high-alcohol one) will offer restraint to complement the gentle gaminess of the lamb and the power of the red mole.