Preparing a Roast Rack of Lamb

A roast rack of lamb is a perfect supper dish as well as being something to savour on a Sunday. It should be pan-fried to brown it before roasted in the oven. The meat should really be as pink as possible other wise it loses its succulence.

Try serving with a shallot or red wine sauce. I like the rustic red wine sauce that comes with the sweetbread recipe. These sauces are prepared whilst the rack of lamb is roasting.

• Serves 2
• 15 mins to prepare then 25 mins to cook, plus resting of at least 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250-350g rack of lamb, at room temperature
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Enough ground black pepper to season the lamb after roasting.

Preparation: 

1. Preheat oven 200ºC / Fan 180ºC / Gas 6.
2. Pat the lamb dry with kitchen paper; season well with salt.
3. Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat, then add the lamb, flesh-side down. Leave to cook for between 2 and 3 mins until well caramelised. Turn and sear the other side for 2 minutes.
4. Sear the ends for a few seconds, then transfer to a grill rack set over a baking dish or a tray to catch the excess fat. If you haven’t a grill rack set then the lamb pieces can be roasted on a tray. 
5. Place in the oven and cook for 10 minutes per 100g for medium or 12 minutes per 100g for well done.
6. Transfer to a chopping board, season with black pepper, wrap in foil and allow to rest for a minimum of 10 minutes before consuming.
7. Carve two or three chops from the rack.