Grilled New Zealand Lamb Rack Food

GRILLED NEW ZEALAND LAMB RACK WITH ASIAN RATATOUILLE, SHOESTRING POTATOES, AND ROASTED GARLIC INFUSED JUS

Steps:

• In a small dry skillet, heat the peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Quickly grind the peppercorns just until broken up. In a large bowl, add the ground peppercorns, mustard, soy sauce, thyme, garlic, shallots, and oil. Mix, add the racks, and turn to coat them. Marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, at least eight hours or better, overnight.
• Prepare an outdoor grill, or preheat the broiler. Season the lamb with the salt and ground pepper and grill over high heat, or broil turning once, until brown and crispy, 12 to 15 minutes for medium-rare.
• Cut each cooked rack in half, and arrange so that the bones of the halves are interlaced. Alternatively, cut the racks into double chops.
• Place a mound of the Asian Ratatouille on a large platter and stand the racks or chops against it. Place a small amount of the Citrus Fennel next to the chops. Sauce with the Garlic Jus and drizzle everything with the Fennel Oil. Place the Shoestring Potatoes on top of the lamb and finish with the tomatoes and the chives.
• Place the eggplant, zucchini, and squash in 3 separate pans. Season with salt and let rest for 1 hour to allow the moisture to be released. Pat the vegetables dry. Prepare a saute pan coated with 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Add 1/2-teaspoon garlic, 1/2-teaspoon ginger, and the eggplant and saute until the eggplant is golden brown. Season with ground black pepper. Set aside. Repeat this process for both the zucchini and the squash. Then in a saute pan over medium high heat, cook the onion, remaining garlic, and ginger for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and thyme and continue to cook for another 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Add the eggplant, zucchini, squash, Thai basil, basil, and soy sauce. Adjust the seasonings, being careful not to over salt, as the julienned vegetables received salt in the preliminary steps.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the fennel, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, canola oil, shallots. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the oil, and prepared fennel seeds and turmeric. Let stand 24 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare an ovenproof saute pan over high heat. Add the oil, shallots, and garlic. Place the pan in the oven and roast for 10 minutes, turning occasionally to prevent burning. Remove the pan from the oven and return to the medium heat on the stove-top. Deglaze the pan with the wine, the balsamic vinegar, and Chinese vinegar, and then, reduce. Add the chicken stock, thyme, and further reduce by 1/2. Season the reduced sauce and then strain to remove the garlic and shallots.
• Julienne the potatoes or using a sharp knife, cut them into thin strips. Fill a fryer or medium heavy pot 1/3 full with the oil and heat over high heat to 350 degrees F. Add the potatoes to the oil and fry until light brown, about 6 minutes. Drain on a paper towel and keep at room temperature.
• When ready, heat oil to 425 degrees F and re-fry the fries until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

GRILLED NEW ZEALAND LAMB RACK WITH FIVE SPICE ROOT VEGETABLE GRATIN AND STAR ANISE DEMI GLACE

Steps:

• In a small dry skillet, heat the peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a pan large enough to hold the racks and add the mustard, soy sauce, red wine, thyme, garlic, and oil. Mix, add the racks, and turn to coat them. Marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, at least 8 hours and preferably overnight. Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat the broiler. Season the lamb with the salt and pepper and grill over high heat, or broil, turning once, until brown and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Let rest 3 minutes before slicing.
• Five Spice Root Vegetable Gratin: In a hot medium skillet, saute the fennel, onion and garlic until slightly translucent. Add the parsnip, sweet potato and celery root and sweat for about 4 minutes. Add the heavy cream and five-spice powder and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are al dente. Season with salt and pepper. Portion the vegetable mix into 4 (4-ounce) oven-proof ramekins, and cover with the shredded cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, or until the tops are brown and bubbly.
• For the Star Anise Demi-Glace: In a medium stockpot, saute the shallots until well caramelized and deglaze with the red wine. Reduce the wine by 3/4, add the stock, thyme and star anise. Bring to a gentle simmer, and continue simmering for approximately 2 hours, until the stock is reduced by about 90 percent. Season with salt and pepper and strain.
• For the Veal Stock: Put veal bones in a roasting pan and roast in a preheated 400 degree oven until brown. Add vegetables and oil and roast further until the vegetables are brown.
• Transfer the contents of the pan into a large saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the pan and reduce the liquid until almost evaporated. Repeat this process again.
• Add 5 pints of water bring to a boil. Skim the top of any scum that rises. Leave to simmer, very gently, for 6 hours (adding more water if necessary).
• Skim off the fat and strain the stock through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
• Plating: Cut each rack into double chops and arrange 3 double chops per plate around the gratin on each plate. Sauce with the demi-glace and serve garnished with chives.
• Wine Suggestion: Honig, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 1997