Loin Of Lamb In Salt Crust Food

SALT-CRUSTED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, or preheat a wood-fired oven.
• Cover the firewood with water and soak for 15 minutes. Remove and add to a large roasting pan.
• Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper. Add enough kosher salt to a large bowl to cover both legs of lamb during roasting. Add the chile flakes, oregano, rosemary, thyme and egg whites. Mix until the mixture looks like wet sand.
• Cover the logs with a layer of herb salt. Place the legs side by side on top of the salt, then cover the lamb completely with more herb salt.
• Roast until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees F, about 1 hour.
• Let rest for 15 to 20 minutes before removing the "salt cap." Slice and serve.

SALT-CRUSTED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Finely chop fennel seeds, lemon peel, rosemary, peppercorns, and bay leaves in a food processor. Transfer 3/4 cup of mixture to a bowl; stir in oil.
• Heat broiler with rack in middle of oven. Place lamb on a rimmed baking sheet; rub with oil. Broil until browned, flipping once, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set on another baking sheet; let cool. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine remaining herb mixture with salt in a large bowl. Stir in egg whites and 1 cup water. Rub herb oil over lamb. Mound 3 cups of salt mixture in middle of a roasting pan. Place lamb on top. Pack remaining salt on lamb to cover as best as possible. Bake until a thermometer inserted in thickest part (without touching bone) registers 145 degrees, about 90 minutes. Remove salt crust, brushing off bits. Let lamb stand 30 minutes; carve and serve, with lemon wedges.

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.)

WHOLE BONELESS LAMB LOIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a large cutting surface, lay out lamb, cut side up so that it folds open. Sprinkle the inside with salt and Essence. Place a rosemary stalk inside. Tie lamb up with another rosemary stalk so that it is rolled and secure. Season the outside of the lamb with more salt, and the coriander and cumin.
• In large saute pan over high heat, add olive oil and heat until hot, but not smoking. Add lamb and sear, on all sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes, being careful not to let the rosemary burn. Transfer to oven and continue cooking for another 20 minutes, or until medium rare. Remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes while preparing couscous.
• Slice into 1-inch pieces. Serve atop couscous.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.
• In a large bowl, combine the couscous and salt. Pour the boiling water over the mixture, cover, and let stand until the water is absorbed and the couscous is puffed, about 6 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Add the pistachios, mint, and oil. Adjust seasoning, to taste. Serve hot.

SALT CRUST DOUGH

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and knead in the bowl until completely mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• When ready to use, dust a large piece of parchment paper with flour. Place a portion of the dough on the paper and cover with a second piece of parchment. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the top piece of parchment. Invert the dough over the food to be covered and remove the other sheet of parchment. Adjust the shape of the dough and remove any excess as needed

HERB-ROASTED LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven so the lamb will sit in the middle of the oven.
• Peel 6 of the cloves of garlic and place them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and butter. Process until the garlic and rosemary are finely minced. Thoroughly coat the top and sides of the lamb with the rosemary mixture. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Toss the potatoes and remaining unpeeled garlic in a bowl with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the lamb on top of the potatoes. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to 350 degrees F and roast for another 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until a meat thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees F for medium-rare. Place the lamb on a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve with the potatoes.

HERB-CRUSTED LEG OF LAMB WITH RED WINE GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Use a sharp knife to make little slits all over the lamb, then insert a slice of garlic into each hole. Tip the onions and carrot into a large flameproof roasting tin, then place the lamb on top and season. Pour 250ml water into the base of the tin and roast in the oven for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the crust by mixing together all the ingredients and seasoning well. Remove the lamb from the oven and turn the heat down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Brush the lamb all over with the mustard, then pack on the crust in a thick layer - don't worry if any falls in the tin, this will be used in the gravy later (you probably won't use the entire crust, so set aside what's left for later). Return the lamb to the oven and cook for a further 1 hr 30 mins. Check the lamb during cooking and add more water to the base of the tin if it dries out.
• Remove the lamb from the tin, cover lightly with foil and leave to rest for 30-40 mins - if covered too tightly, the crust will go soggy.
• To make the gravy, put the roasting tin with the vegetables still in it directly on the heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 min, then add the wine, scraping any flour from the bottom of the tin. Let it bubble for 1 min, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 10-15 mins until thickened, stirring in a little of the reserved crust for a thicker gravy. Strain the gravy through a sieve into a pan, discarding the vegetables left in the sieve. Add mustard to taste and stir through the butter. Keep warm until ready to serve.