California Brick Chicken With Apricot Mint Chimichurri Recipes

APRICOT-MINT SOURS

Steps:

• For the sour mix: Mix together the lemon juice, simple syrup and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
• For the apricot-mint sours: Muddle the sugar and mint leaves in a pitcher. Add the sour mix, gin and apricot nectar and mix until combined.
• Serve in rocks glasses over crushed ice and garnish with mint sprigs and an apricot wedge if using.

ROASTED LAMB WITH MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Rub the lamb with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Arrange the lamb fat-side up on a roasting pan and roast 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F and roast until golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the lamb reads 130 degrees F, another 25 to 30 minutes.
• While the lamb roasts, make the chimichurri. Combine the mint, parsley, oregano, garlic, serrano and 1 teaspoon salt in a food processor and blend. With the machine running, drizzle in the lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and process just until fully combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the lamb from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the lamb will continue to cook. The temperature should read 140 degrees F. Slice the lamb against the grain and add to a platter. Top with some of the chimichurri and serve the remaining sauce alongside the meat at the table.

APRICOT MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Place the apricots and 1 teaspoon honey in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak the apricots for 10 minutes to plump. Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop.
• In a food processor, combine the mint, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, garlic, adobo sauce, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper, remaining tablespoon honey and olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Add the rehydrated apricots and pulse until the consistency resembles a thick chunky sauce. Cover and store in the refrigerator to allow flavors to come together and serve with grilled meats.