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Roast Lamb with Lamb Sausage Crust and Fresh Grape Pan Sauce

4.5

(15)

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Roast Lamb with Lamb Sausage Crust and Fresh Grape Pan SauceLisa Hubbard

A savory crust and simple sauce lift this roast into the special-occasion realm.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

Sauce:

2 cups halved seedless red grapes
2 cups tawny Port
2 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Sausage Crust and Lamb:

1/2 cup halved seedless red grapes
1/4 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 small garlic clove
8 ounces ground lamb
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 2- to 2 1/2-pound well-trimmed racks of lamb (each with 8 bones)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard, divided
2 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs made from crustless French bread

Preparation

  1. For sauce:

    Step 1

    Boil all ingredients in large saucepan until reduced to 2 1/3 cups, about 20 minutes. Cool. Puree in blender. DO AHEAD: Can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

  2. For lamb:

    Step 2

    Pulse grapes, olives, chopped rosemary, vinegar, and garlic clove in mini processor until olives are chopped. Transfer to bowl. Mix in ground lamb,1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

    Step 3

    Sprinkle racks of lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 rack, meat side down, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Set on rimmed baking sheet, meat side up. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining rack; reserve skillet. Cool lamb completely.

    Step 4

    Add 1/2 cup broth to skillet. Boil until reduced to glaze, scraping up browned bits. Add to sauce. Cover and chill.

    Step 5

    Spread each rack with 1 tablespoon mustard. Press half of lamb sausage over top of each rack (layer will be thin). DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

    Step 6

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons mustard in medium skillet. Toss over medium heat until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Press crumbs over sausage on each rack. Cut through crumb crust (not lamb) between bones to score. Roast until thermometer inserted into center registers 135°F, about 30 minutes for medium-rare.

    Step 7

    Transfer lamb to platter; let rest 10 minutes. Pour juices from baking sheet into sauce. Simmer in small saucepan until reduced to about 1 1/3 cups, about 9 minutes (sauce will thicken slightly). Season with salt and pepper.

    Step 8

    Cut lamb between bones into chops. Set two on each plate. Spoon sauce over.

  3. WHAT TO DRINK:

    Step 9

    Martín Códax 2005 "Ergo"Tempranillo (Spain, $14), with lively fruit,full body, and supple texture.

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