Skewered Lamb With Rioja Red Wine Vinaigrette And Endive Salad With Blue Cheese Serrano Ham And Pears Recipes

SKEWERED LAMB WITH SPICY POMEGRANATE-RIOJA RED WINE VINAIGRETTE AND MINT-ALMOND RELISH

Steps:

• For the skewered lamb: Combine the oil, garlic, parsley, rosemary and thyme in a bowl. Add the lamb, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the refrigeration time, the better.
• For the spicy pomegranate-rioja red wine vinaigrette: Combine the pomegranate juice, wine, peppercorns, thyme and 1 tablespoon honey in a small saucepan. Cook over high heat until the syrup is reduced to 1 cup. Remove the syrup from the heat and cool. Remove the thyme and peppercorns with a spoon.
• Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, mustard and vinegar in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the red wine syrup. Cover and refrigerate the remaining syrup to keep up to 1 month. Yield: about 1 cup.
• Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling.
• Preheat a charcoal grill for direct grilling. Remove the lamb from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper on both sides. Thread 2 or 3 pieces of the lamb onto each skewer, so the lamb lays flat. Grill the lamb until golden brown and charred on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 2 minutes each side. Transfer the lamb to a sheet pan. Drizzle the lamb with some Spicy Pomegranate-Rioja Red Wine Vinaigrette and let sit for 5 minutes.
• For the mint-almond relish: Mix the almonds and mint and sprinkle with salt and pepper just before serving.
• Drizzle the remaining Spicy Pomegranate-Rioja Red Wine Vinaigrette over the lamb and sprinkle with the mint-almond relish.

HAM SALAD IN ENDIVE CUPS

Steps:

• Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, dill and pepper in a small bowl and mix until well blended.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the ham, egg, celery and relish. Pour the dressing over and mix to combine.
• To serve, place a spoonful of the ham salad on the wide end of an endive leaf. Garnish with a piece of cheese and some dill.

ENDIVE SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk together garlic and yogurt in a medium bowl. Add olive oil, salt and pepper and whisk together. Add blue cheese or Roquefort and Dijon mustard and whisk together until mixture is fairly smooth, with a few lumps of cheese.
• Trim away the very end of the endives and cut lengthwise into quarters. Arrange on a platter or on individual plates and spoon on dressing. Top with chives and finely diced apple, and serve.