Rack Of Lamb With Minted Pea Puree Food

RACK OF LAMB WITH MINTED PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
• Place the lamb on a rack in a baking dish.
• Place the mint, garlic, vinegar and sugar in a food processor and work until a paste forms.
• Add the olive oil slowly to the mixture adding a little more if the mixture seems too thick-if the mixture seems too runny, add a few more mint leaves.
• Season to taste.
• Coat the lamb with the mint paste and marinate for 15 minutes.
• Place in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes or until done to your liking.
• Minted Pea Puree: Place the potato in a saucepan and boil until tender.
• Add the peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Drain and place in food processor along with butter and mint leaves.
• Pulse for a short time so mixture is smooth, but with a little texture.
• Serve with the lamb.

RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the mint, basil, nuts, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually blend in 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Generously sprinkle the lamb racks with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a grill pan or heavy large skillet over high heat. Place 1 lamb rack in the skillet and cook just until brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the lamb rack meat side up on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 2 lamb racks.
• Roast the lamb in the oven until cooked to desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb racks to a work surface. Set aside for 10 minutes. Cut the lamb between the bones into single chops. Spread the pesto over 1 cut side of each chop. Arrange the chops, pesto side up, on plates or a platter, and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The pesto and lamb racks may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover the pesto and lamb separately and refrigerate. Allow extra time for the chilled lamb to roast.
• Alternately, the racks of lamb can be sliced then broiled before serving. To broil the lamb: Use 18 to 24 meaty single lamb rib chops (about 2 1/2 ounces each, from 3 racks of lamb). Preheat the broiler. Arrange the lamb chops in a single layer over 2 heavy baking sheets. Lightly brush the lamb chops with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Watching closely, broil the lamb chops 3 inches from the heat source until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Spread the pesto over the chops. Arrange the chops pesto side up on plates or a platter, and serve.
• RECOMMENDED WINE #1: Boroli Barolo 1998
• REGION/ORIGIN: Barolo, Piedmont
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
• RECOMMENDED WINE #2: Avignonesi Vino Nobile d'Montepulciano 2001
• REGION/ORIGIN: Montepulciano, Tuscany
• GRAPE/VARIETAL: Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile - local clone of sangiovese)

RACK OF LAMB WITH APPLE-MINT PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Season the lamb rack on all sides with 1 tablespoon of Emeril's Creole Seasoning; set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon Emeril's Creole Seasoning, the rosemary, and oil, and mix until all the crumbs are moist. Set aside.
• Heat a 14-inch skillet over medium heat until hot. Place the lamb rack, fat side down, in the pan, and brown well. Give each side a good sear, 5 to 10 minutes in total. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• When the rack is cool enough to handle, transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the fat side of the rack generously with the mustard, and top with the breadcrumb mixture, packing it on lightly with your hands to form an even crust. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 135 degrees F (medium-rare), 25 to 30 minutes, or to your desired degree of doneness. Remove from the oven and let rest 15 minutes before carving between the bones.
• To serve, smear some of the Apple-Mint Puree decoratively on 4 serving plates. Set two chops on the puree so their bones cross one another, and if desired, garnish with a mint sprig.
• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
• Peel and core the apples, chop them in 2-inch pieces, and add to a small pot. Add the cider, onion, and 2 teaspoons of the vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the apples are tender and the flavors have come together, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Transfer the apple mixture to a blender and add the butter, mint, and remaining 1 teaspoon vinegar. Blend until you have a smooth puree. Serve warm. This will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days.

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.

MINTED PEA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan bring broth to a boil. Add 2 cups peas, mint, and butter to broth and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes, or until peas are tender. In a blender purée mixture until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids) and pour through a fine sieve into cleaned pan. Add remaining 1/4 cup peas and simmer until peas are just tender, about 2 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.