Seared Lamb With A Smoky Slather Recipes

SEARED LAMB WITH A SMOKY SLATHER

Steps:

• Combine tea, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, thyme leaves and olive oil, and mix well. Place lamb in a dish and rub half the tea mixture on one side. Turn it over and slather the second side. If possible, set aside at room temperature up to 3 hours.
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place turnips and potatoes in a saucepan of salted water, bring to a simmer and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• As turnips and potatoes cook, place a large, heavy, ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, on the stove over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place lamb in pan and sear until browned on the bottom, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Turn lamb and place pan in the oven. Roast for 12 to 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted in a thick part of the meat should register 120 degrees for medium-rare.
• Remove lamb to a cutting board. Place skillet back on stove. Drain turnips and potatoes, place in skillet and briefly roll them in the pan drippings to pick up some color. Transfer them to a bowl, cover and keep warm; your turned-off oven comes in handy here.
• Add wine to skillet and cook on medium, scraping the pan, until it's somewhat reduced. Whisk in butter, season with salt and pepper and turn off heat. Slice lamb and arrange on a large platter. Spoon turnips and potatoes around it. Briefly reheat the sauce, spoon it over the meat, drop a few sprigs of thyme on top and serve.

PAN SEARED LAMB LEG STEAK

Steps:

• Place a cast-iron skillet, or another heavy-bottomed pan, on the stove over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
• Rinse and pat dry your lamb leg steaks then season thoroughly with lamb rub, pressing it in on all sides of the meat.
• Once the oil is shimmering hot, place the lamb steaks in the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes.
• Add the butter to the skillet and use it to baste (or 'arroser') your steaks for 2 minutes. Flip and continue basting until desired internal temperature is reached.
• Transfer lamb leg steaks to a cutting board or plate and tent a piece of foil loosely over top. Let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle before serving. *Particularly thick-cut portions can be oven finished at 400°F (205°C) for 4-8 minutes until they reach your desired level of doneness.

PAN-SEARED LAMB CHOPS

Steps:

• Combine the first five ingredients; rub over chops. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chops in butter and oil for 6-8 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Remove and keep warm., Add wine to the same skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in cream; cook for 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve with chops.

GRILLED LAMB KEBABS WITH SMOKY PEACHES

Steps:

• Build a fire in your grill; when the coals are all covered with gray ash and the temperature is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill for 3 to 4 seconds), you are ready to cook. (For a gas grill, turn all burners to high, lower cover, and heat for 15 minutes, then turn burners to medium-high.)
• Mix the yogurt and mint together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Trim the lamb of most but not all fat and cut it into 32 large chunks, about 1 inch square. Add them to a large bowl with the olive oil, curry powder, salt and pepper, and toss well to coat, then thread onto 4 skewers.
• Put the skewers on the grill directly over the coals. Also put the peaches on the grill, cut side down, and cook until just slightly charred and softened, about 6 minutes. Take off the grill and cut into large wedges (about 6 per peach).
• At the same time, cook the lamb, turning to expose all 4 sides to the direct heat of the coals, until done to your liking, about 2 to 3 minutes per side (8 to 12 minutes total) for medium rare. (To check for doneness, cut into one of the chunks and check to see if it is cooked to your liking - remove from the heat when it is slightly less done than you want it to be when you eat it.)
• Put the peaches and lamb into a large bowl. Add the garlic, basil, vinegar and Tabasco, toss to coat, season with more salt and pepper if needed, and serve (over rice if you wish), accompanied by the yogurt and mint.