LOIN OF LAMB MARINATED IN MERLOT, GARLIC AND PARSLEY WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER PESTO

Loin of Lamb Marinated in Merlot, Garlic and Parsley with Piquillo Pepper Pesto image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1 cup Merlot
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf fresh parsley, plus sprigs for garnish
1 1/2 pounds lamb loin, cleaned
Kosher salt
Sprigs of thyme, for garnish
Piquillo Pepper Pesto, recipe follows
6 piquillo peppers
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Whisk together the wine, thyme, oil, garlic, black pepper and parsley in a baking dish. Add the lamb and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate.
Remove the lamb from the marinade 20 minutes before cooking. Heat a grill pan or saute pan over high heat. Season the lamb with salt on both sides and cook until golden brown and seared on both sides and cooked to medium-rare doneness (internal temperature of 135 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer). Place on a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve slices with a dollop of pesto on the side.
Combine the peppers, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and process until emulsified. Add the cheese, salt and pepper and pulse a few times to combine.