Rack of Lamb

Duck egg toad fail!

I'd nearly forgotten all about the "Rack of Lamb" until I was uploading some photos and passing by some of the things that wouldn't be making their way onto the blog - the absolutely delicious red risotto - one of those ready, steady, cook, photograph, eat moments that should have included - write down the recipe! Neither will the yellow, not very risen duck egg toad in the hole that Lauren insisted I make, the lamb and chickpea curry that I had such a craving for, which was tasty but I couldn't read my own writing which was splattered in turmeric and lamb juices and then the photo - not very flattering!

Lamb and chick pea curry -
but can't read my recipe

A few weeks ago, after swimming I popped into Sainsbury's with Lauren, to pick up a pinafore, I had thought I could get away without buying much new school uniform and then she had an unexpected growth spurt as children are prone to do. As so often happens when you "just pop into" any kind of shop really, Ikea being one of the worst culprits, I came out with a lot more than just a pinafore. Friday's can be brilliant in Sainsbury's, if they start reducing - popping on the yellow dots - you can pick up some brilliant bargains. And so it was that I ended up buying 2 rack of lamb, the combined price of the 2 packs should have been just short of £16, as they were on their date I got them for just under £5. I've never had rack of lamb before, they never look like good value, tiny bits of meat clinging to a spindly bone. I've seen them cooked plenty of times on Master Chef and know you can put a crust on them, should serve them pink and you must render the fat!

Was this the red risotto?

A week or so later I went to get a chicken out of the freezer for Sunday lunch only to discover there wasn't one, a quick ferret through the frosty drawers unearthed the packs of lamb, I left them to defrost. When I went back to prepare dinner I was worried by their size, Tony likes a decent sized dinner and I couldn't see myself stretching them 3 ways. I think I had that vision you get when you are preparing for a party and end up trying to feed 20 people with enough food for 100. I cooked the lamb according to the pack instructions, I seared it first in a pan and then roasted it in the oven, they really only took just under half an hour, just enough time to prepare the vegetables. As I didn't have time for roast potatoes, I made some mash and topped it with cheese, popping it under the grill for 5 minutes just before serving.

The lamb itself I kept pretty plain as this was my first time, just seasoned with salt and freshly ground pepper and popped in the oven with a splash of red wine to help with the gravy, which I made in the pan with the juices and a little flour and vegetable stock.

When I came to dish up, I realised there was absolutely loads of lamb - loads! It was so juicy, juice was running all over the place. It stayed lovely and pink, I gave Lauren a couple of the outer cutlets and I think you can see from the photo Tony had plenty. The meat itself was amazing, it had a lovely subtle lamb taste, was succulent and so tender it melted in the mouth, it was some of the nicest meat I've ever eaten at home.

So the verdict, would I have it again? Definitely! Would I pay £16? Probably not! Would it be worth £16?...I actually think it would!

Delicious rack of lamb