Best Rack Of Lamb Crusted With Black Olives 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.

RACK OF LAMB WITH PORT AND BLACK OLIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Boil first 5 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until mixture is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 35 minutes. Mix 2 tablespoons butter and flour in small bowl to form paste. Whisk paste into sauce; simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Strain into heavy small saucepan. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place lamb on baking sheet. Spread mustard over lamb. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, butter and garlic in small bowl; press onto lamb. Bake lamb to desired doneness, about 25 minutes for medium-rare. Bring sauce to simmer. Mix in olives. Cut lamb between ribs into chops. Serve with sauce.

RACK OF LAMB WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Brown lamb:
• Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot, at least 2 minutes. Meanwhile, pat lamb dry and rub meat all over with salt and pepper. Add oil to hot skillet, then brown racks, in 2 batches if necessary, on all sides (not ends), about 10 minutes per batch.
• Transfer racks to a small (13- by 9-inch) roasting pan.
• Coat and roast lamb:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Stir together garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and oil. Coat meaty parts of lamb with herb mixture, pressing to help adhere. Roast 15 minutes, then cover lamb loosely with foil and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally into center of meat registers 120°F, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to 125 to 130°F for medium-rare while lamb stands.)
• Cut each rack into 4 double chops.