Medallions Of Lamb With Leeks And Tarragon Sauce Recipes

MEDALLIONS OF LAMB WITH LEEKS AND TARRAGON SAUCE

Steps:

• If any fat remains on the loin of lamb pieces after they are trimmed, carefully cut it away. Place each loin of lamb on a flat surface and cut crosswise into four pieces of equal size. This will yield eight pieces.
• Place each piece upright (grain side up) and pound lightly with a flat mallet. The flattened pieces will measure about half an inch thick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Trim off stems of the leeks. Cut leeks crosswise into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise into very thin shreds (julienne). Put leeks in a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of the butter, salt and pepper.
• Cook leeks over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, about one minute. Add 1/4 cup of the chicken broth and cover. Continue cooking about 10 minutes. Add cream and cook, uncovered, about three minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a heavy skillet and add medallions of lamb. Cook about two minutes over relatively high heat until browned. Turn pieces and continue cooking about four to five minutes to the desired degree of doneness. Transfer pieces to a warm platter.
• Pour off fat from the skillet and wipe skillet with paper towels. Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. When it is hot add shallots and cook briefly, stirring. Add wine, chicken broth and tomato paste. Stir. Add any liquid that may have accumulated from the lamb pieces. Cook the sauce, stirring, until it is reduced to one-half cup. Stir in tarragon.
• Spoon sauce over meat. Serve with leeks in cream sauce on the side.

VERMOUTH, LEEK AND TARRAGON PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Halve leek lengthwise, and slice into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Add oil to same skillet used to cook chicken, add leek and cook, stirring often, until softened and browned around edges, 2-3 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Add broth and vermouth. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to simmer, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits. Simmer rapidly for 3 - 5 minutes until reduced to 3/4 cup, Stir in any accumulated chicken juices, return to simmer and cook for 30 seconds. Turn off heat, whisk in mustard, tarragon and butter, season with salt and pepper, Spoon over cutlets and serve immediately.

SCALLOPS WITH "MELTED" LEEKS AND TARRAGON-CAPER BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add capers; sauté until crisp, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Boil wine and next 4 ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat until liquid is reduced to 3 tablespoons, about 15 minutes. Add cream; boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. (Capers and sauce can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and 3/4 cup water. Simmer until leeks are tender and almost all water evaporates, about 4 minutes. Mix in chives. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer leek mixture to platter. Tent with foil.
• Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil in another heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add scallops; sauté until cooked, about 2 minutes per side. Arrange atop leeks. Tent with foil.
• Reheat sauce over medium heat. Gradually add 6 tablespoons butter; whisk until smooth, about 1 minute (do not boil). Strain sauce into small bowl. Stir in capers and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over scallops.

FILLETS OF LAMB WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Cut each lamb fillet crosswise into 4 equal portions.
• Place the pieces, one at a time and cut side down, on a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Cover with another sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper. Pound lightly to flatten each piece.
• Sprinkle the pieces on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Beat the egg with the water and pour the mixture into a flat dish with raised edges.
• Dip the pieces of meat in flour on both sides. Shake off excess.
• Dip the pieces in the egg mixture, coating them well. Combine the bread crumbs and cheese and dip the pieces in the mixture to coat on both sides. Pat lightly to make the crumbs adhere.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a nonstick skillet and add as many pieces as the skillet will hold. This may have to be done in two steps, depending on the size of the pieces. Cook two minutes on one side and turn. Turn and cook two minutes on the second side. Continue cooking, adding a little more oil as necessary until all the pieces are cooked. Transfer the pieces to a serving dish as they are cooked.
• Pour off the fat from the skillet. Wipe out the skillet and add the butter. Heat the butter until melted and add the tarragon. Cook about 4 seconds, shaking the skillet. Pour the tarragon butter over the meat and serve.

PAN SEARED LAMB MEDALLIONS

Steps:

• Place lamb in a bowl. Mix all other ingredients together except salt, olive oil, stock and butter. Massage the lamb and marinate at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
• Heat pan over medium high heat. Add olive oil and butter. When it just starts to smoke a little, sear lamb for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Baste continuously with pan oil and butter when searing. Set lamb aside and drain oil.
• Deglaze pan with chicken stock to make pan jus. Pour jus over lamb when serving.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH TARRAGON-MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• For herb butter:
• Stir butter, tarragon, mint, tarragon vinegar, and 2 teaspoons coarse salt in medium bowl until well blended. Transfer 1/4 cup herb butter to small bowl and reserve for vegetables. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover both bowls and chill. Bring medium bowl of herb butter to room temperature before using.
• For lamb:
• Using small sharp knife, make 1-inch-deep slits all over lamb. Insert 3 or 4 orange peel strips into each slit. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Enclose lamb in plastic wrap and chill.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Heat oil in very large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle lamb with coarse salt and pepper. Add lamb to skillet; cook until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to roasting pan. Brush with 2 tablespoons herb butter. Roast lamb 15 minutes. Brush again with 2 tablespoons herb butter.
• Reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue to roast lamb until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 135°F to 140°F for medium-rare, about 55 minutes. Transfer lamb to platter; reserve pan. Tent lamb loosely with foil; let rest 30 minutes.
• Spoon fat off any juices in roasting pan. Place pan over 2 burners on high heat. Add wine and broth and bring to boil, whisking to scrape up browned bits. Boil until sauce is reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining herb butter and grated orange peel. Season sauce to taste with coarse salt and pepper.
• Spoon vegetables around lamb on platter; garnish with fresh herb sprigs. Serve with sauce.