Hazelnut Crusted Racks Of Lamb With Tomato Olive Ragoût Recipes

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, tossing, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a food processor. Toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until golden, tossing, about 5 minutes. Add to the processor along with the coriander, cumin, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt; pulse until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Make the salad: Set a steamer basket over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water; bring the water to a boil. Add the carrots, cover and steam until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the parsley, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne, 2 tablespoons of the hazelnut crust mixture, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in 2/3 cup olive oil. Add the steamed carrots and toss; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Add the feta and dates to the carrot mixture, season with salt and black pepper and toss. Add the mixed greens and frisee but do not toss.
• Pat the lamb chops dry and season with salt and black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Working in 2 batches, position the chops snugly in the skillet with the fatty edge down (the bones will curve); cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the chops and cook on the flat sides until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Dredge each cooked chop in the hazelnut crust.
• Toss the salad and divide among plates. Serve with the lamb chops.

Steps:

• Tomato and garlic crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/4 cup reserved tomato oil, garlic, and shallots in small baking dish; sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover with foil. Bake until garlic is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer garlic mixture to processor. Add tomatoes and oregano. Blend until paste forms. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Transfer to bowl, cover, and chill.
• Lamb:
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and rosemary to skillet. Saute until garlic browns, about 5 minutes. Discard garlic and rosemary. Sprinkle lamb on all sides with salt and pepper. Add 1 rack to skillet, rounded side down. Sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer rack to large rimmed baking sheet, rounded side up. Repeat with remaining lamb rack.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Roast lamb 18 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread 1/3 cup tomato-garlic paste thinly all over top of each. Return to oven and roast until thermometer inserted into center registers 134°F, about 3 minutes longer. Let lamb rest 10 minutes. Cut between bones into individual chops and serve.
• WHAT TO DRINK:
• Black cherry fruit and a slightly spicy finish are a nice match for the garlicky lamb. Try Alpha Estate 2005 Xiñómavro (Greece, $36).

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425F degrees.
• Combine hazelnuts, breadcrumbs and rosemary in large bowl.
• Arrange lamb racks meat side up in single layer on heavy large baking sheet.
• Brush each rack with 1 Tbsp dijonnaise.
• Season lamb wih salt and pepper.
• Press 2/3 cup breadcrumb mixture onto each.
• Drizzle each lamb rack with 1 Tbsp honey.
• Roast until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130F for medium-rare, about 25 minutes.
• Let lamb stand 10 minutes.
• Cut between each rib to separate into chops.
• (Racks can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate).