Roasted Rack Of Lamb With Mint Pesto Food

CROWN ROAST OF LAMB WITH MINT AND GREEN ONION PESTO

Steps:

• For the lamb: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, coriander, cumin and fennel.
• Drizzle the olive oil over both sides of the racks of lamb, then evenly apply the dry rub all over the lamb.
• Using a sharp knife, make cuts between each of the rib bones on the back sides of the racks to allow the straight racks to be flexible and formed into a crown.
• Tie the 2 racks together where they meet. Lift them so that the bare bones point upward and fashion them into a crown, then secure by tying twine around the bottom and midsection.
• Place the crown roast onto a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Roast until a thermometer inserted into the meat (avoid touching bone) registers 110 degrees F, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• For the pesto: Into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, add the mint, cilantro, almonds, salt, green onions, garlic and chile. Pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary, until finely chopped. With the machine running, add 3/4 cup of the olive oil in a steady stream.
• Pour the pesto into a bowl. Add the remaining 3/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice. Season to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside, or refrigerate (bring to room temperature 30 minutes prior to serving the lamb).
• Remove the lamb from the oven and raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees F.
• Place a sheet of foil over the bones to keep them from burning. Roast the lamb until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chop reaches 125 degrees F for medium-rare or 135 degrees F for medium, an additional 10 minutes. Tent the lamb with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the twine and carve into chops; serve with pesto on the side.

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)

LAMB LOIN CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat grill on high.
• Rub the lamb with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper and salt. Rub mixture all over the lamb. Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
• While chops are resting, prepare the Mint Pesto.
• Grill the lamb chops 2 to 3 minutes per side, for medium rare.
• Serve the lamb chops with the Mint Pesto.
• Add the garlic to a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop. Add half of the herbs and chop for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the herbs and chop. Add in the Parmesan and salt and pepper, pulse briefly until combined. While machine is running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream and process to desired thickness.

RACK OF LAMB WITH HERB CRUST AND MINT-BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• For the lamb with herb crust: Place the parsley, olive oil, mustard, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest and juice and a generous amount of salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until the mixture becomes a paste. Spread the mixture all over the lamb (try to avoid the bones and get it all on the meat).
• Place the lamb on a rimmed baking sheet bone-side up, and roast until an internal thermometer reaches 130 degrees F for medium rare, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for about 10 minutes.
• For the mint-basil pesto: While the meat is roasting and resting, place the mint, basil, parsley, lemon juice, honey, garlic and some salt and pepper in a clean food processor bowl. Puree to a paste; scrape down the sides of the food processor once and process again. Transfer to a serving bowl with a small spoon to serve.
• Slice the racks of lamb into either single or double chops. Serve with the pesto passed on the side.

ROASTED RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Let the lamb come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before you are ready to roast. Season the lamb on all sides with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with a heatproof handle over medium-high heat. Put the rack into the pan, fat side down, and sear it until it is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the rack over and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Put the pan into the oven, and roast the lamb until it is medium-rare, or until the internal temperature reaches 125 to 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the lamb from the oven, cover it with foil, and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing into chops. Serve with the Mint Pesto.
• Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is almost smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste. The pesto may be made 1 day ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring the pesto to room temperature before serving.

ROSEMARY-PESTO LAMB RACK

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F. Place parsley, chopped rosemary, grated Parmesan cheese and garlic in processor. Process to coarse paste. With machine running, gradually add olive oil. Season pesto to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place lamb on small rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread all pesto over rounded side of lamb. Roast 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F and roast to desired doneness, about 15 minutes longer for medium-rare.
• Cut lamb between bones into chops. Divide chops between 2 plates; garnish with rosemary sprigs.

RACK OF LAMB WITH PESTO CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Season lamb with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the pesto over the surface of the meat. Coat the meat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, packing them down lightly with your hands. Cover the exposed bones with aluminum foil and place lamb, breadcrumb side up, on a baking sheet.
• Roast lamb for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake 20 minutes longer. Remove lamb from oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then dust lightly with salt. Slice into thick double chops or single chops. Serve immediately.

ROAST RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• To make lamb:
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Spread 1 tablespoon mustard on each side of each lamb rack. Mix breadcrumbs and mint in medium bowl. Press breadcrumb mixture onto lamb, coating completely.
• Arrange lamb, meat side up, on large baking sheet with rim. Roast lamb 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Roast until thermometer inserted into lamb registers 130°F. for medium-rare, about 20 minutes longer.
• Transfer lamb to work surface. Tent with foil; let stand 5 minutes. Cut lamb racks between bones into chops. Arrange chops on plates. Garnish with mint sprigs; pass Mint Sauce separately.
• To make sauce:
• Combine 1 cup mint, broth, shallots, vinegar and sugar in heavy small non-aluminum saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 2 hours.
• Strain sauce into large glass measuring cup. Place cornstarch in same saucepan. Gradually whisk in sauce. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir until sauce thickens slightly and turns translucent, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.) Stir in remaining 2 tablespoon mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes about 1 cup.