Cranberry Marinated Rack Of Lamb With Almond Wild Rice Recipes

RACK OF LAMB WITH CRANBERRY-TANGERINE SAUCE, BRAISED RED CHARD, CREAMY POLENTA WITH SAGE AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat grill pan to high and oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drizzle racks with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill lamb over high heat for 2 or 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a baking sheet or broiler pan and place in hot oven. Cook 12 to 15 minutes, to 130 degrees F on meat thermometer for rare, 155 for well. Let meat rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving for juices to redistribute.
• For the chard, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Then add the greens in bunches until they wilt down enough to fit in the pan. Add the vegetable stock and raisins. Season greens with salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. Reduce heat to medium low and cook 10 to 15 minutes until greens are tender and no longer bitter.
• Place cranberry juice concentrate and the tangerine zest and juice in a small saucepan and simmer together over low heat for 10 minutes. Strain and return to pan. Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and chicken stock in a bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 1 minute. Let stand 10 minutes to reconstitute the cranberries.
• For the polenta, heat a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add oil and pancetta. Brown pancetta a minute or 2 and remove from pan to a paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and bring 3 cups chicken stock to a boil. Add the polenta and stir constantly until mixture masses, 2 or 3 minutes. Remove polenta from heat and stir in sage, butter, pancetta bits, and season with salt and pepper. Reserve the chives for garnish.
• Heat cranberries and stock to a bubble and remove from stove.
• To serve, allow 1/2 rack of lamb per person. Separate chops into 1 or 2 rib sections and glaze with cranberry-tangerine sauce. Serve with sage and pancetta polenta garnished with chives and braised red chard.

CRANBERRY-MARINATED RACK OF LAMB WITH ALMOND WILD RICE

Steps:

• Place racks of lamb in large, deep dish. Add juice, wine, cranberries and rosemary.
• Note: You should use pure juice: either cranberry or pomegranate. Also, you can use either red or white wine, according to your preference.
• Cover and marinate 2-3 hours or overnight.
• Remove lamb from marinade, pat dry and season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Place marinade in saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to a thin glaze.
• Discard rosemary. Keep glaze warm.
• For the Almond Wild Rice:.
• Place rice in a pan of cold, salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes.
• Turn off heat, cover and allow to steam for 20 minutes (rice will swell and curl).
• Return to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes or until tender.
• Keep warm.
• Just before serving, toss through the almonds, oregano, orange juice and zest.
• While rice is cooking, preheat oven to 400°F Heat oil in large pan and sear lamb on all sides to brown.
• Place lamb in oven and cook 8-10 minutes for medium rare or until cooked as desired.
• Allow to rest for a few minutes before slicing into individual chops.
• Toss rice through almonds, oregano, juice and zest.
• Spoon sauce over lamb and serve with rice and steamed green beans.