For a dish that is both elegant and flavorful, look no further than rack of lamb with spinach pine nut crust and minted pea sauce. The lamb chops are juicy and tender, while the crust adds a crispy, flavor-packed layer. The minted pea sauce brings everything together with its refreshing and herbaceous flavor. This dish is sure to impress your guests, whether you're serving it for a special occasion or just a weeknight dinner.
Let's cook with our recipes!
RACK OF LAMB WITH HERB CRUST AND MINT-BASIL PESTO
If you are looking to impress, there are few foods that will convey the message "you are special" more than a rack of lamb. This one has two simple food processor pestos at play -- one for slathering that will make a nice crust, and one for serving. Frenched simply means very well trimmed of fat, with the bones scraped clean. You can do this yourself, or ask the butcher to do this for you. (Many butchers sell already-Frenched racks of lamb. They are pricy, but you're going for a showstopper here.)
Provided by Katie Workman
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT-BASIL PESTO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
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)
MINT CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB
I love how the sweet, herbaceous crust works with the subtly gamey meat. Lamb is obviously a popular Easter menu option and this mint-crusted rack of lamb is perfect for the occasion.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 681.1 calories, Carbohydrate 20.2 g, Cholesterol 121.9 mg, Fat 52.9 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 29 g, SaturatedFat 18.4 g, Sodium 625.1 mg, Sugar 7 g
RACK OF LAMB WITH SPINACH PINE-NUT CRUST AND MINTED PEA SAUCE
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make crust mixture:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a baking pan toast pine nuts in middle of oven until golden, about 10 minutes, and cool.
- Discard stems from spinach and coarsely chop spinach. Rinse spinach and drain in a colander. In a large heavy kettle cook spinach in water clinging to leaves, covered, 1 minute, or until just wilted. Drain spinach well in colander, pressing out excess liquid with back of a large spoon, and cool. Tear ham into pieces. In a food processor pulse spinach with nuts, parsley, ham, and butter until finely chopped and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in remaining crust ingredients until combined well. Crust mixture may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
- Increase temperature to 425°F. If leaving strip of fat on racks, score a diamond pattern on fat with tip of a sharp thin knife. Halve lamb racks to form six 4-rib pieces. Pat lamb dry and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and lightly brown pieces 2 at a time, on all sides, about 1 minute total for each batch. Transfer pieces as browned to a large shallow roasting pan and arrange meaty sides up. Spread meaty side of each piece with 1 teaspoon mustard. Divide crust mixture into 6 portions and pat over mustard coating on each piece, gently pressing to help adhere.
- Roast lamb in middle of oven 25 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted 2 inches into center registers 135°F. for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes.
- Cut lamb into individual chops and serve with sauce.
RACK OF LAMB WITH PINE NUT & PARMESAN CRUST!
This is a gorgeous roast lamb recipe from the March / April edition of the Morrisons magazine. Serve it with the Garlic & Rosemary Roast Vegetables I also have listed for a perfect meal.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400°F Place the bread in a food processor withthe washed basil leaves, parmesan, pine nuts, oil, salt & pepper. Blend until it makes fine crumbs.
- Place the racks of lamb together in a roasting tin - bones facing down - pat the breadcrumbs onto the meat .
- Cut the lemon into wedges and add them to the roasting tin, along with the whole garlic cloves. Roast for 20 minutes, then add the cherry tomatoes and roast for a further 10-15 minutes until the meat is cooked through in the centre.
- Remove the meat & tomatoes onto a warmed serving plate & leave to rest for 5 minutes. Place the roasting tim on the hob & pour in the balsamic vinegar & 2 tbsp boiling water. Heat through, stirring to incorporate any sticky bits at the bottom of the tin, & serve with the lamb roasted tomatoes & lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 113.6, Fat 6.8, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 3.3, Sodium 143.8, Carbohydrate 11.5, Fiber 2, Sugar 2.7, Protein 3.8
RACK OF LAMB WITH MINTED PEA PUREE
Mint and lamb are made for each other! I found this in an Aussie magazine, and it looks pretty good to me.
Provided by JustJanS
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
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.
Tips:
- To ensure the lamb is cooked evenly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should be 135°F (57°C).
- If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can also check the doneness of the lamb by cutting into the thickest part of the rack. The meat should be pink and juicy in the center.
- To make the spinach-pine nut crust, be sure to use fresh spinach. Wilted or frozen spinach will not work well.
- If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute another type of nut, such as almonds or walnuts.
- The minted pea sauce is a great way to add a refreshing flavor to the lamb. Be sure to use fresh mint leaves for the best flavor.
- If you don't have fresh peas, you can substitute frozen peas.
Conclusion:
This rack of lamb with spinach-pine nut crust and minted pea sauce is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The lamb is cooked to perfection and the crust is flavorful and crispy. The minted pea sauce is a refreshing and flavorful complement to the lamb. This dish is sure to impress your guests.
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