Jacques Pepin Rack Of Lamb 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.)

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB ROBERT

Steps:

• Make the marinade: In a food processor puree the onion, the garlic, the gingerroot, and the pepper, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula, add the soy sauce, the honey, and the oil, and blend the mixture until it is just combined.
• Coat the lamb on both sides with the marinade and enclose it in a plastic bag. Let the lamb marinate, chilled, turning it several times if possible, overnight. Alternatively, let the lamb marinate at room temperature, turning it several times, for 3 to 4 hours.
• Grill the lamb boned side up on a very clean rack 2 to 3 inches above glowing coals, basting it several times with the marinade for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until it is seared and charred lightly. Transfer the lamb in a shallow roasting pan to a warm oven (170 to 190 degrees) for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. (The lamb will continue to cook as it rests in the warm oven; at serving time a meat thermometer should register about 130 degrees for medium-rare meat.) Transfer the lamb to a carving board, and cut it into 1/4 inch slices. Arrange the slices on a heated platter, nap them with some of the remaining pan juices.

RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the salt, rosemary, and garlic until they're as finely minced as possible. Add the mustard and balsamic vinegar and process for 1 minute. Place the lamb in a roasting or sheet pan with the ribs curving down, and coat the tops with the mustard mixture. Allow to stand for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Roast the lamb for exactly 20 minutes for rare or 25 minutes for medium-rare. Remove from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then cut into individual ribs and serve.