Entrees › Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb Dinner

Serves 2

For the Lamb

• 1 small rack of lamb, fat removed and bones cleaned (“frenched”)
• salt & pepper
• spray oil
• herb crust (see below)

For the Herb Crust

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (do not substitute baseball mustard!)
• 1 tbsp herbes de Provence (this spice mix is widely available in stores)
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chopped garlic

For the Sauce

• juices from lamb roasting pan
• ½ cup red wine

For the Butternut Squash

• ½ cup butternut squash, peeled and sliced
• small amount of butter to pan sear

For the Fingerling Potatoes

• 6 fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwise
• salt
• spray oil

Sear the Rack of Lamb

1. Sear the rack of lamb on both sides in 1 tbsp of olive oil until brown (approximately 2 minutes each side and on the ends).  Allow to cool, then season with salt and pepper

Make Herb Crust & Roast the Lamb

1. Combine breadcrumbs, garlic, 1 tbsp of olive oil and herbes de Provence in a bowl and mix
2. Brush the mustard on the meat part of the lamb (not on the protruding bones) top and bottom, then coat meat with the herb crumbs
3. Bake at 375º for 15-20 minutes for rosy-centered lamb.  Carve between the bones and present three chops per plate

Roast & Sear Butternut Squash

1. Roast sliced butternut squash in 350º oven until softened.  Cut into small dice.  Pan sear in small amount of butter.  Pack into a ramekin or timbale for prettier look on the plate

Boil & Roast Fingerling Potatoes

1. Boil fingerling potatoes for 20 minutes. Let cool, then cut them in half lengthwise and sprinkle with salt.  Roast in the 350º oven, cut side down, until flesh appears crisp and browned

Make Sauce

1. Deglaze the lamb roasting pan with ½ cup red wine by adding wine to the roasting pan, loosening any bits of lamb and stirring to mix the lamb juices, bits of lamb and wine
2. Transfer to a small pot and simmer over low heat while lamb rests