Melissa Kellys Rubbed Rack Of Lamb Recipes

SPICE-RUBBED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toast both seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
• Season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in oil. Sear lamb until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter.
• Pour off fat from pan; wipe clean. Pat seeds all over lamb. Return to pan. Roast in oven until a thermometer inserted in thickest part (avoiding bone) registers 130 degrees for medium-rare, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest 10 minutes before slicing between bones into chops and serving with rice.

ROSEMARY RACK OF LAMB WITH CRUSHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, garlic and anchovy (or pound together in a mortar for a smoother texture). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Smear lamb all over with marinade and set aside.
• Meanwhile, boil potatoes until the tip of a paring knife meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes depending on size. When potatoes are done, drain, transfer to a roasting pan large enough to hold them in a single layer, and set aside to cool.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. With palms or the back of a wooden spoon, crush potatoes gently to crack open and slightly flatten. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with about 2 tablespoons olive oil, and turn to lightly coat.
• Lay lamb racks on top of potatoes, with bones curving downward. Scatter rosemary over meat and potatoes. Roast, uncovered, until a meat thermometer registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare), about 20 minutes. (Cook to 135 degrees for medium.)
• Remove lamb to a cutting board and let rest, tented with foil. Return potatoes to oven and leave to roast 10 to 15 minutes more, until nicely crisped.
• Use a large chef's knife to slice the racks by cutting between the bones. (One rack will yield 4 thick chops or 8 thin ones). Transfer chops and potatoes to a warm platter, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

MELISSA KELLY'S RUBBED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Combine the salt, oregano, rosemary, caraway, cumin and turmeric in a mortar, spice grinder or blender, and process until fairly well ground. Transfer to a small dish, and work in 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil, plus the garlic and the harissa or tomato paste mixture. Rub the lamb with the mixture, and set aside to marinate at room temperature, at least 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Shortly before serving, heat a heavy ovenproof saute pan on top of the stove and brush with remaining olive oil. Add the lamb, and sear for a couple of minutes on each side. Turn the lamb so it sits bone side up, and place the pan with the lamb in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 125 degrees for medium-rare. Carve each rack into four double chops.