Tex Mex Roasted Lamb Ribs With Cheese Grits Recipes

DRY RUBBED AND ROASTED LAMB RIBS

Steps:

• For the cure: Combine the salt and pepper in a bowl. Generously cover the ribs with the cure. Place the ribs, uncovered, on a rack set in a baking pan or a tray. Marinate for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Rinse the ribs well under cold water, and pat dry thoroughly.
• For the dry rub: Toast the peppercorns and fennel seeds in a dry saute pan until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, grind the toasted spices. Combine the ground peppercorns and fennel seeds with the paprika, dried sage, dried thyme, granulated garlic, onion powder, sugar and bay leaf powder in a bowl, stirring to combine thoroughly.
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter the onions on the foil. Sprinkle the dry rub liberally over both sides of the ribs and place them, bone-side down, on top of the onions to prevent sticking. Add the vinegar to the pan and sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves over the ribs. Top with another piece of foil and crimp the edges together with the bottom piece of foil to create a large foil pouch. Roast until the ribs are tender and the meat has shrunk back from the bone, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
• Pour the pan juices through a strainer to remove the onions. Skim the fat and simmer the juices with the chicken stock in a saucepan over high heat until reduced by half.
• Cut the lamb racks into double rib portions, drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Crisp the exterior of the ribs on a hot grill or under a broiler for 5 minutes (meat-side only), basting occasionally with the reduced pan juices. Serve drizzled with the apricot mint chimichurri.
• Place the apricots and 1 teaspoon honey in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak the apricots for 10 minutes to plump. Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop.
• In a food processor, combine the mint, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, garlic, adobo sauce, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper, remaining tablespoon honey and olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Add the rehydrated apricots and pulse until the consistency resembles a thick chunky sauce. Cover and store in the refrigerator to allow flavors to come together and serve with grilled meats.

OVEN-ROASTED LAMB RIBS

Steps:

• Wash ribs thoroughly. Soak in a large bowl of water, changing the water every 30 minutes, to remove excess fat, about 2 hours. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• Mix lemon juice, molasses, vinegar, mustard, ketchup, cinnamon, curry powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a large, deep bowl.
• Combine onion, tomatoes, sweet peppers, parsley, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a food processor; pulse to form a paste.
• Stir onion paste into the lemon juice mixture in the bowl. Add lamb ribs; turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. Marinate in the refrigerator, at least 10 hours.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a rack on top. Arrange ribs on the rack.
• Bake ribs in the preheated oven until fat has rendered and meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Cover ribs with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

GRILLED OR BROILED LAMB RIBS

Steps:

• Start a charcoal or wood fire, or preheat a gas grill or broiler; the fire should be only moderately hot, and the rack should be at least 4 inches from the heat source. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; salt it. Add the lamb, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Drain ribs. Grill or broil them for about 10 minutes, turning once or twice and sprinkling them with a little salt and pepper. Meanwhile, process the honey, mustard and onion in a blender until smooth.
• When ribs begin to brown, brush them with sauce, and continue to cook, watching so they do not catch fire. When they are brown and crisp all over - in about 10 to 15 minutes - remove from grill, and serve.

ROASTED LAMB RIBS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 225 degrees. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper and place fat-side up in the roasting pan. Bake 3 to 4 hours, until the fat has rendered and browned and the meat is well done. Slice into ribs.

TEX-MEX ROASTED LAMB RIBS WITH CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Stir together oil, garlic, chile powder, cumin, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, and 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Pat lamb dry and rub all over with spice mixture. Transfer lamb to a large sealable plastic bag and seal bag, pressing out excess air. Marinate lamb, chilled, at least 8 hours.
• Bring lamb to room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Transfer lamb to a 17- by 12-inch heavy shallow baking pan and cover pan tightly with foil, then bake 1 1/4 hours.
• Meanwhile, stir together marmalade, vinegar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 1-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
• Discard foil from lamb and carefully pour off and discard fat from pan. Brush lamb with some of marmalade glaze and roast, basting every 10 minutes (use all of glaze) and turning racks over every 20 minutes, until browned and tender, about 1 hour. Cut racks into individual ribs.
• Whisk together water, grits, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until very thick, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheeses. Serve grits with ribs.