Pepper Crusted Lamb Loin Baby Arugula Roasted Pine Nut Polenta And White Truffle Tomato Demi Recipes

HERB CRUSTED LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Season the meat with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix the herbs with the olive oil and bread crumbs. Rub both sides of the lamb with the herb mixture. Using the kitchen string, tie up the lamb leg at 2-inch intervals. Place in roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Add the wine and water or broth to the roasting pan and cook for another 30 to 40 minutes, or until the thickest part of the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F for medium. Take the lamb out of the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let the meat rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve.

ARUGULA-STUFFED LEG OF LAMB WITH ROASTED SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For arugula filling:
• In a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, cook garlic in olive oil, stirring, until it begins to turn pale golden, then add arugula in batches, stirring and turning over with tongs until slightly wilted before adding each new batch, and continue sautéing until completely wilted, about 1 minute more. Season with salt, and transfer arugula filling to a large sieve set over a bowl to drain. Let cool.
• For lamb:
• With a food processor running, add garlic cloves, one at a time, through feed tube, and finely chop. Add oregano, lemon zest, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to processor, and pulse until paste is well blended.
• Pat the lamb dry. Arrange it, boned side up, on a work surface. Patch any holes with slices of meat from the edge, and season it with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Rub boned side with half of oregano paste, then top it evenly with all of the arugula mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
• Beginning with a short side, roll up lamb, enclosing arugula (the rolled roast will appear messy and ungainly, but once it's roasted, it will look delicious). Snugly tie roast closed, crosswise at 1-inch intervals and around the length, with kitchen string.
• Transfer lamb to a roasting pan and rub it all over with the remaining oregano paste. Let it stand for 1 hour at room temperature.
• Put oven rack in middle of oven and heat oven to 450°F.
• Roast lamb for 30 minutes.
• Prepare vegetables while lamb is roasting:
• Cut each onion lengthwise into eighths, and halve potatoes or quarter if large. Toss onions, potatoes, and carrots with 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Scatter vegetables (not including asparagus) around lamb in the pan, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F, and roast lamb until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of thickest part of roast registers 130°F for medium-rare meat (test temperature in several places), 40 to 50 minutes more. Transfer lamb to a platter and tent loosely with foil, then let it stand for 30 minutes.
• While lamb is standing, increase oven to 450°F, then stir vegetables in pan, and continue to roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Toss asparagus with remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt, and scatter among roasted vegetables, then continue to roast until asparagus is just tender, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer vegetables with a slotted spoon to a serving dish, and keep warm, loosely covered. Reserve roasting pan.
• For sauce:
• Skim any fat from the pan drippings in roasting pan, and set roasting pan over 2 burners over medium-high heat. Add wine and deglaze the pan by boiling the liquid, scraping up the brown bits, for 1 minute. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan, then boil until reduced by half (to about 1/3 cup). Add chicken stock and any juices that have accumulated on the platter, and boil the sauce until reduced to about 2 cups. Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Stir the cornstarch mixture, then add it to simmering sauce; continue to simmer sauce, stirring, for 1 minute. Season sauce with salt and pepper and keep it warm.
• Discard the strings from the lamb, then carve lamb into thin slices on a cutting board and serve it with sauce and vegetables.

RACK OF LAMB WITH SPINACH PINE-NUT CRUST AND MINTED PEA SAUCE

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.

PEPPER-CRUSTED LAMB WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and toss. Roast about 15 minutes. Flip potatoes and move them around to the perimeter of the baking sheet. Add Broccolini to center and drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and toss. Roast until vegetables are tender, 20 minutes more.
• Season chops on both sides with salt and crushed peppercorns. Heat a large skillet over medium-high; swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add 4 chops and cook until a thermometer registers 130°F, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; repeat with other 4 chops.
• Wipe skillet clean and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon oil and shallot and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add wine and any leftover juices from plate; bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half. Remove from heat and stir in butter and season with salt. Serve lamb with vegetables and sauce.

CARAWAY AND FENNEL CRUSTED LOIN OF LAMB WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the seeds in a coffee grinder and grind to a powder. Place the mixture on a plate. Season the loin with salt and pepper to taste and dredge on all sides with the spice mixture.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat until almost smoking. Sear the lamb on all sides until golden brown. Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast for 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare doneness. Remove and let rest.
• Place the skillet on top of the stove over high heat. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the shallots and cook until soft. Add the wine and cook until reduced by three-quarters. Add the stock and cook until reduced by half. Whisk in the mustards and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint.
• Serve with Braised Napa Cabbage with Red Wine Vinegar and Mint and Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Green Garlic Butter.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cabbage in a roasting pan, stir in the vinegar, honey, and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast in the oven until wilted, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir in the mint.
• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until soft. Drain well and place back in the pan over low heat. Add the cream and green garlic butter and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place the butter, garlic, and herbs in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

PAN ROASTED LAMB LOIN WITH SWEET AND SOUR RELISH AND (SMOKY OR GRILLED) EGGPLANT PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill over medium-high heat and the oven to 275 degrees F.
• For the eggplant puree: Place the Japanese eggplant slices into a perforated hotel pan over a solid hotel pan or on a rack set over a sheet pan and season with salt. Season the Italian eggplant flesh with salt and place into the hotel pan or on the rack with the Japanese eggplant slices, let sit about 5 minutes.
• Place the eggplant into a bowl and add a drizzle of the extra-virgin olive oil, rosemary leaves, and thyme leaves. Place the whole eggplant onto the hottest part of the grill, flesh-side down. Cover with metal bowl and cook, about 5 to 6 minutes. Place the Japanese eggplant slices onto the cooler part of the grill and cook for about 2 to 4 minutes per side. Both the Japanese and Italian eggplants should be done at the same time.
• Remove the charred flesh of the Italian eggplant and discard the skins. Add the flesh and seeds to a blender. Drizzle in about 1/2-cup extra-virgin olive oil, juice of 1 orange, and salt, to taste. Taste and re-season, if needed.
• For the lamb: Season the lamb loins with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Place a saute pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once heated, add the lamb to the pan and sear until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and continue to sear on the other side, another minute. Add the butter, remaining rosemary sprig and thyme sprig and allow the butter to melt. Baste the lamb with the melted butter and place into the oven. Roast the lamb for about 10 minutes, or until the lamb is medium-rare to medium, about 125 to 130 degrees F.
• When the lamb is done, remove the lamb from the oven and set aside briefly to rest prior to slicing. (2 servings)
• For the sweet and sour relish: To a small saucepan over medium heat add 2 cups white wine and 1 cup golden raisins.
• To a high-sided saute pan over medium heat, add 2 to 3 tablespoons blended oil. Once heated, add the shallots and season with salt, to taste. Next, add the garlic and stir to combine. Once fragrant, add the diced eggplant and season again with salt. Add the pine nuts, capers, the juice of 2 oranges, and about 1/2 cup sherry vinegar. Once the flames stops, add the raisins and wine and stir to combine. To a small saute pan, add about 1 tablespoon cumin seeds and place over low heat to toast. Once toasted add the cumin seeds and about 2 tablespoons sugar. Allow the eggplant to cook down and simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• For plating: To a medium bowl add the arugula, sliced chile and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Toss to combine.
• For each serving, spoon some of the smoky eggplant puree onto a plate. Slice half the tenderloin into 1/2-inch rounds and plate in between the grilled Japanese slices. Top with some of the sweet and sour eggplant relish and the micro arugula salad. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.

QUICK LAMB RAGù

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have become translucent and have totally softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Add a pinch of red-pepper flakes and anchovies, if using, and cook for a minute or two, just to toast the spices and melt the anchovies.
• Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally so it has a chance to stick to the bottom of the pot and caramelize a bit, 2 or 3 minutes.
• Add lamb and season with salt and pepper. Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, stir lamb until the fat starts to soften and the meat begins to break down. Continue to cook, stirring rather frequently until the lamb begins to brown and sizzle in its own fat, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pot. Fill the tomato can halfway with water and swirl around to get all the remaining tomato, then add to the pot. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until sauce is thickened and insanely flavorful, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Serve sauce mixed into and over pasta with plenty of cheese for grating over the top, scattered with a small handful of marjoram, oregano or thyme leaves if you like.