Porcini Crusted Australian Lamb Rib Chops With Fresh Pea Mint And Feta Salad Food

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH PORCINI MUSTARD

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure . Soak mushrooms in boiling-hot water (2 cups) until softened, about 20 minutes. Lift mushrooms out of water and strain liquid through a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a small saucepan. Coarsely chop mushrooms.
• Boil mushroom liquid in saucepan until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 13 to 15 minutes. Whisk in mustard, butter, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in mushrooms. Transfer to a small bowl and cool slightly. Stir in 2 tablespoon parsley.
• Meanwhile, pulse rosemary, kosher salt, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor to form a coarse paste, scraping down sides. Rub oil all over chops, then coat evenly with rosemary mixture.
• Oil grill rack, then grill chops in 2 batches, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, 4 to 6 minutes per batch for medium-rare.
• Sprinkle porcini mustard with remaining tablespoon parsley and serve with lamb.
• What to drink:
• Avignonesi Rosso di Toscana '05

MINT CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Cook mint leaves in a pot of boiling water for about 10 seconds.
• Transfer mint leaves to a bowl of ice water; soak for 30 seconds, drain and squeeze dry.
• Combine blanched mint with garlic, olive oil, bread crumbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until fine and crumbly.
• Transfer mint mixture to a large bowl; stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, set aside.
• Combine 1/4 cup Dijon mustard and 2 teaspoons honey in a small bowl, set aside.
• Combine extra-virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a jar with a lid. Shake vinaigrette vigorously until combined, about 30 seconds. Set vinaigrette aside.
• Slice 1/2 to 1-inch slits between each bone of the lamb racks to assure the meat roasts evenly.
• Season each rack with salt and black pepper on all sides.
• Heat vegetable oil in skillet over high heat. Brown each lamb rack for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Transfer lamb racks to the foil-lined baking sheet.
• Brush each rack with mustard and honey mixture. Sprinkle mint mixture over the top and sides of each rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned on top and medium rare in the center, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 125 to 130 degrees F (52 to 54 degrees C). Remove from oven and allow lamb to rest for 10 minutes before serving, drizzled with honey mustard vinaigrette.

LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the lamb chops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
• Grill the chops 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until desired doneness is reached. Remove the chops to a plate and let rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
• Place the chops on a platter and pour any juices that accumulated back over the chops. Spoon the Mint Pesto over and serve.
• Add the mint, basil, walnuts, garlic, red pepper and Parmesan to a food processor. Pulse until the herbs are finely chopped. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream. Add the salt, pepper and lemon zest and pulse until combined. Set aside with plastic wrap set directly over the surface.

PORCINI CRUSTED LAMB WITH ROSEMARY-GARLIC EMULSION

Steps:

• In a blender, process the dried porcini mushrooms into a fine powder. Transfer 3 Tbs. of the porcini powder to a bowl (reserve the rest for another use). Add the bread crumbs, cheese and chopped parsley to the bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
• Season the racks of lamb with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Preheat an oven to 375ºF.
• Drizzle each rack of lamb with 1 Tbs. of the olive oil, rubbing it evenly over the meat. Coat the lamb with the bread crumb mixture, pressing so it adheres.
• Heat an 11-inch nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is just smoking, lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the racks of lamb and sear, turning once, until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the racks, away from the bone, registers 130ºF for medium-rare, 20 to 25 minutes, or until done to your liking. Transfer the racks to a carving board, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 minutes.
• 
Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the 3/4 cup olive oil, the garlic, vinegar, the 1 teaspoons salt and pepper, to taste. Blend on high until well combined, about 1 minute. Add the parsley, mint and rosemary leaves and pulse, scraping down the sides of the blender occasionally, until the herbs are chopped. Pulse less for a chunkier consistency and more for a smoother consistency.
• Carve the racks into individual chops and arrange on a warmed platter. Pass the sauce alongside.

MINT-PESTO LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring pomegranate juice and vinegar to a boil over medium heat; cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. , Meanwhile, for pesto, place the mint, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper in a small food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. , Coat chops with pesto. In a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, brown lamb in oil on all sides., In a 450° oven, bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Drizzle with pomegranate sauce and, if desired, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves.

PORCINI-CRUSTED AUSTRALIAN LAMB RIB CHOPS WITH FRESH PEA, MINT AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. To prepare the lamb, brush generously with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place dried mushrooms, basil and bread in a food processor (or coffee grinder) and process to a fine crumb. Transfer to plate or bowl and press the lamb firmly into the crumb to form a crust. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes (or overnight) to set crust. 2.Heat enough oil in a non-stick pan to cover the base. Sauté chops, a few at a time, over medium high heat until golden brown and medium rare, about 10 minutes total, or until cooked as desired. To test, press gently with finger. The meat should be firm but springy. Keep warm in a low oven. 3.To prepare the pea salad, while the lamb is cooking add peas to pan of boiling, salted water and cook for 30-40 seconds. Drain, rinse with cold water and transfer to a bowl. Add feta cheese, mint leaves, a squeeze of lemon, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss well, crushing peas slightly. Serve lamb chops and pea salad with additional lemon and olive oil on the side.

PAN-SEARED LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT OVER GREENS

Steps:

• Dry roast nuts in pan, being careful not to burn and set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, combine the fresh mint, parsley, feta, and nuts. Set aside.
• Trim all fat from lamb chops. Rub the chops with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil (I use a pastry brush), salt and pepper.
• Preheat a large fry pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the lamb chops to the pan. Cook over medium heat 8-10 minutes, turning chops halfway through cooking. Do not move or stir the chops until ready to flip over at the halfway mark.
• Cook chops until well-browned and a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chop measures 145 degrees.
• Garnish each chop with the mint/cheese mixture. Divide the salad greens on 4 plates and drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and lemon juice. Arrange the warm lamb chops on each plate.
• Serve immediately with shiraz and crusty bread! Don't forget the mood lighting!

PORCINI-CRUSTED PORK WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Process mushrooms in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a shallow bowl; stir in salt and pepper. Press 1 side of each pork chop into mushroom mixture., In a large ovenproof skillet coated with cooking spray, heat oil over medium-high heat. Place chops, mushroom side down, in skillet; cook for 2 minutes. Turn over; cook 2 minutes longer. Bake, uncovered, at 375° until at thermometer inserted in pork reads 145°, 20-25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving., Prepare polenta according to package directions for soft polenta. Stir in cheese and rosemary. Serve with pork chops.