Spice Coated Rack Of Lamb For Two With Arugula Avocado And Blood Orange Salad Recipes

SPICE-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the rack into two 4-rib pieces, and season the meat generously with salt and pepper.
• Toast the mustard and fennel seeds in a large seasoned cast-iron (or ovenproof) skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.
• Heat oil in skillet until hot but not smoking. Place 1 piece of lamb in skillet, bone side down, and brown all over, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate;repeat with remaining piece of lamb. Roll meat in spices to coat (do not coat the cut sides on either end).
• Return meat to skillet, and transfer to oven. Roast meat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center (avoiding the bones) registers 135 degrees, or medium-rare, 18 to 24 minutes.
• Remove meat from skillet, and let stand at least 10 minutes. Cut meat into individual or double chops, and cross the bones, if desired. Serve with herb oil.

SPICED ROAST LAMB

Steps:

• Stir together the marinade ingredients and season with ½ tsp ground black pepper and 1½ tsp flaky salt. Slash the lamb several times on both sides, then massage the marinade all over it. Seal into a large food bag or non-metallic container and chill overnight (or at least for a few hrs). Let the lamb sit at room temperature for 1 hr before roasting.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the lamb into a foil-lined roasting tin and roast for 20 mins. Turn the oven down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and roast for 1 hr 20 mins for meat that's pink near the bone. Cover loosely with foil halfway through cooking or once the marinade has charred and the meat looks golden.
• Leave the lamb to rest for 20 mins before carving, then serve with lentil & tomato and cucumber salads (see related recipes).

SPICE-COATED RACK OF LAMB FOR TWO WITH ARUGULA, AVOCADO, AND BLOOD ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Make lamb:
• Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
• Using spice or coffee grinder, grind cumin to semi-fine powder, then transfer to small bowl. Whisk in cocoa powder, coffee, and pepper.
• Rub exposed lamb bones with 1 tablespoon canola oil, then wrap each bone in foil, covering bones completely and leaving meat uncovered. Sprinkle both sides of uncovered lamb with kosher salt, then rub with spice mixture.
• In heavy, 12-inch oven-safe sauté pan over high heat, heat remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil until hot but not smoking. Sear rack, meat side down, moving occasionally to prevent sticking, until deep golden brown and crust forms, about 2 minutes. Flip to sear underside in same manner, about 2 minutes, then sear bottom of rack in same manner, 2 minutes more.
• Flip rack back to meat side up, then transfer pan to oven and roast 7 minutes. Add butter, garlic, and thyme to pan and continue roasting until thermometer inserted 2 inches into thickest part of lamb (do not touch bone) registers 130°F (for medium rare), 7 to 8 minutes more. Tilt pan to collect juices and spoon those over meat. Transfer lamb to rack with pan or plate underneath to catch juices and let rest 10 to 15 minutes.
• Make salad:
• In small bowl, whisk together blood orange juice, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Gradually add olive oil and whisk vigorously to combine. (Vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, covered, up to 2 days. Whisk thoroughly before using.)
• To plate:
• Divide avocado between two plates, fanning out slices over half of plate. Top with arugula and drizzle with vinaigrette. Top with blood orange segments and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Remove foil from lamb bones. Slice rack into 4 double chops and transfer to plates alongside salad. Serve immediately.

RACK OF LAMB WITH ARUGULA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Brush the lamb with one-half tablespoon of the olive oil and place in a shallow baking pan in the oven. Roast for 20 minutes (for medium rare), then remove from the oven and set aside for at least 15 minutes longer.
• Remove any heavy stems from the arugula. Place the arugula in a bowl.
• Heat the vinegar in a small stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Remove from heat, beat in the mustard and the remaining olive oil. Season with rosemary, salt and pepper. Toss the arugula with all but two tablespoons of this dressing. Arrange the arugula on two plates.
• Slice the rack of lamb into individual chops and arrange them on top of the arugula. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve.

BLACK AND BLUE LAMB, PISTACHIO AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• For the lamb: Heat a saute pan over high heat until the pan is smoking. Sprinkle the lamb with salt, pepper and rosemary on all sides. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil and then sear the meat on all sides, rolling the meat around the pan to cook evenly. For medium rare, cook 2 to 3 minutes per side. For more well done, turn the heat down to medium and cook another 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the meat aside to rest for 5 minutes.
• In the meantime, for the vinaigrette: Whisk the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, granulated garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl and slowly drizzle in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Make sure to whisk vigorously while pouring in the oil. Finish with the basil, taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• For the salad: Toss the arugula, pistachios and blue cheese with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the lamb very thin and top the salad with the sliced lamb.