Rack Of Lamb With Spice And Pepper Crust Recipes

SPICE-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the rack into two 4-rib pieces, and season the meat generously with salt and pepper.
• Toast the mustard and fennel seeds in a large seasoned cast-iron (or ovenproof) skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.
• Heat oil in skillet until hot but not smoking. Place 1 piece of lamb in skillet, bone side down, and brown all over, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate;repeat with remaining piece of lamb. Roll meat in spices to coat (do not coat the cut sides on either end).
• Return meat to skillet, and transfer to oven. Roast meat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center (avoiding the bones) registers 135 degrees, or medium-rare, 18 to 24 minutes.
• Remove meat from skillet, and let stand at least 10 minutes. Cut meat into individual or double chops, and cross the bones, if desired. Serve with herb oil.

PEPPER ENCRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the lamb liberally with the salt and pepper on both sides. Pour a thin layer of vegetable oil into a large skillet and place over high heat until the oil begins to smoke, 1 to 2 minutes. Working in batches, place the racks into the skillet. Sear for 1 minute per side, remove and put on a baking sheet. Put the lamb into the oven and roast until medium rare, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Using a sharp knife, cut each rack in half. Serve immediately, half a rack per person.

RACK OF LAMB WITH ANCHO CRUST

Steps:

• Tear the chile into small pieces and place them in a spice grinder. Grind the chile to a powder.
• Melt the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and thyme and sauté for 3 minutes, or until the shallots are soft. Add the chile powder and stir. Add the bread crumbs and cook for 5 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden brown. Remove from the heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let the crumb topping cool.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over high heat. Season the lamb racks all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add the lamb racks to the skillet, rounded side down. Sear for 6 minutes, or until brown. Transfer the racks to a large rimmed baking sheet, seared side up. Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons of the mustard over each rack. Press the crumb topping into the mustard.
• Roast for 20 minutes for medium-rare, or until desired doneness. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into chops. Serve topped with jalapeño jelly, if desired.

SPICE-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Blend all spices to powder in grinder or mill. Transfer spice rub to small bowl.
• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bones; saut&é until brown, about 10 minutes. Add celery, onion, garlic, ginger and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium; saut&é until celery is tender, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomatoes and 2 tablespoons spice rub; stir 2 minutes. Add broth, wine and mint. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 1§ hours. Strain into medium saucepan, pressing hard on solids in sieve. Spoon fat off top of broth; reserve fat for use with lamb. Boil broth until reduced to 1§ cups, about 25 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Brush each lamb rack with some of reserved lamb fat. Sprinkle each rack with salt and pepper; rub each with 1 tablespoon spice rub. Place on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours. (Sauce and lamb can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill. Bring lamb to room temperature before continuing.) Preheat oven to 400°F Heat large skillet over high heat. Sear 1 lamb rack on all sides until brown, about 8 minutes. Return to baking sheet. Repeat with remaining lamb racks. Roast lamb until thermometer inserted into center registers 125°F for rare, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm sauce. Cut lamb between bones into chops. Divide lamb among 6 plates. Spoon sauce over lamb.