Hazelnut Crusted Racks Of Lamb With Tomato Olive Ragoût Recipes

HAZELNUT-CRUSTED RACKS OF LAMB WITH TOMATO-OLIVE RAGOûT

Steps:

• Prepare lamb:
• Mix 1 cup oil, rosemary and garlic in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Add to marinade; turn to coat on all sides. Cover and chill overnight, turning occasionally.
• Grind bread in processor until small crumbs form. Combine 2 cups crumbs (reserve and remaining crumbs for another use), parsley, nuts and shallots in processor. Process until nuts are finely ground. Gradually add 2 tablespoons oil; process until crumbs begin to stick together. Transfer to bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon oil toss gently to coat. (Coating can made 1 day ahead. Cover, chill.)
• Make tomato-olive ragout:
• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, garlic and dried red pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Add fennel and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices and olives. Increase heat and bring to gentle boil. Cook until onions are tender and juices thicken, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes with spoon, about 18 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover, chill. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.)
• Final preparation:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat heavy large skillet over high heat. Remove lamb from marinade. Add lamb to skillet with some marinade still coating lamb. Cook until brown, about 4 minutes per side. (If necessary, brown 1 rack at a time.) Using tongs, transfer lamb to baking sheet; cool 15 minutes. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard over rounded side of each rack; firmly press half of breadcrumb coating into mustard on each rack.
• Roast lamb until meat thermometer inserted into center of lamb registers 135°F for medium-rare, about 25 minutes. Let lamb rest 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix basil and butter into warm ragout; stir until butter melts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer lamb to cutting board. Cut lamb between bones into individual chops. Divide chops among 4 plates. Spoon ragout alongside chops and serve.

OLIVE-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Sprinkle lamb bones with salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add lamb bones and sauté until dark brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer lamb bones to bowl. Add leek, carrot, and onion to same pot. Sauté until golden, about 12 minutes. Add tomato, red wine, garlic, bay leaves, and rosemary; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add 4 cups water and lamb bones with any accumulated juices. Bring to boil. Cover partially, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened and reduced, about 2 hours. Using tongs, discard lamb bones. Press vegetables and liquid through sieve into large bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated.)
• For lamb:
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and rosemary; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add breadcrumbs and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add olives and stir until moist clumps form, adding more breadcrumbs if mixture is loose. Season crumb topping with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add lamb racks to skillet, rounded side down. Sear until brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet, seared side up. Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard over each. Press crumb topping into mustard. Roast lamb to desired doneness, about 25 minutes for medium.
• Rewarm sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally. Cut lamb between bones and serve with sauce.

RACK OF LAMB WITH A HONEY-HAZELNUT CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425F degrees.
• Combine hazelnuts, breadcrumbs and rosemary in large bowl.
• Arrange lamb racks meat side up in single layer on heavy large baking sheet.
• Brush each rack with 1 Tbsp dijonnaise.
• Season lamb wih salt and pepper.
• Press 2/3 cup breadcrumb mixture onto each.
• Drizzle each lamb rack with 1 Tbsp honey.
• Roast until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130F for medium-rare, about 25 minutes.
• Let lamb stand 10 minutes.
• Cut between each rib to separate into chops.
• (Racks can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate).