Herb Crusted Rack Of Spamr With Spamcetta Rolls And Crispy Grits And Butternut Squash Puree Recipes

HERB CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB WITH HARISSA SAUCE AND SAFFRON ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ZUCCHINI AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the couscous: Set up a small pot of boiling water and season liberally with salt. Add the couscous and cook until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a large saute pan with some oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced fennel and onions and season with salt. Cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chickpeas, saffron, chicken stock and cooked couscous. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the chicken stock has reduced, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and toss in the chopped fennel fronds.
• For the lamb: Add the parsley, panko, pistachios, oil, rosemary and salt to taste to a bowl. Mix well to combine then set aside.
• Cut the rack of lamb in half so you have two pieces with four bones each. Sprinkle liberally with salt on all sides.
• Heat a large saute pan with some oil over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Sear the lamb, fat side down, until golden brown and a crust begins to form, about 5 minutes. Flip the lamb and sear on the underside as well as each side until golden brown, another few minutes each. Remove the lamb from the pan, place onto a sheet tray and discard the excess fat in the pan. Reserve the pan for the sauce. Place the rack of lamb into the oven and bake until the internal temperature reaches 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer when inserted into the center of the meat, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and brush the top side of the racks evenly with the mustard. Press the pistachio herb crust onto the rack, ensuring the crust adheres to the mustard. Place the crusted rack of lamb back into the oven until the crust is golden and the lamb reaches 135 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest before slicing. Once rested, slice each lamb rack into double chops.
• To the same pan that the lamb was cooked in, add some oil, the fennel, onions, crushed red pepper and salt to taste. Saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic and harissa and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce reduces by half and has slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Serve the sliced lamb alongside the couscous.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Halve the squash lengthwise and remove the seeds and strings. Rub the insides with 2 tablespoons softened butter; season with salt and pepper. Place on a roasting pan, skin side down. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until fork tender. Remove the squash from the oven, scoop out the flesh and place in a food processor. Add the orange zest, honey and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Puree until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and cinnamon. Pulse a few times to incorporate.

CRISPY SQUASH BLOSSOMS FILLED WITH PULLED PORK AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Place the ricotta in a strainer lined with cheesecloth over a bowl and let drain in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Discard liquid.
• Combine the strained ricotta and shredded pork in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Fill each squash blossom with the pork-cheese mixture and twist the top of the blossom to secure the filling while frying.
• Fill a large, heavy saucepan halfway with oil and heat on the stove until the temperature reaches 360 degrees F.
• Dredge each filled squash blossom in the rice batter to coat completely. Fry the squash blossoms in batches until lightly golden brown, turning once. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
• Drizzle some of the black pepper vinaigrette in the center of a serving plate and place 2 squash blossoms on top for each serving. Serve hot.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Place pork cubes in a medium roasting pan. Stir together the BBQ sauce, vinegar, and onion and then pour mixture over the pork and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with foil and cook in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the meat is fork tender. Let cool in the braising liquid, then drain the liquid from the meat and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
• Whisk together water and flour until smooth and season with salt. Let sit 10 minutes before using.
• Combine vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, and honey in a blender. With the machine running, slowly add the oil until emulsified.

MAPLE SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Put the frozen squash and water into a large saucepan. Cook over a high heat until the Cover and cook over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until squash is thawed, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk in the butter and maple syrup and season with salt, to taste.