Wednesday, February 10, 2010

ROMANTIC ENTREE ~ RACK of LAMB with ROSEMARY SAUCE / PISTACHIO CRUSTED SWEET POTATOES / STIR-FRIED SWEET & PLUMP SUGAR SNAP PEAS

"A Kiss that's never tasted
Is forever and ever wasted."
~ from a song by Billy Holiday
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RACK OF LAMB WITH ROSEMARY SAUCE

2 (1-lb.) frenched* racks of lamb
(*have butcher trip meat from tips for easy serving)
3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
2 Tbsp. fresh minced rosemary
3 tsp. thyme
3/4 tsp. fresh ginger
6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. cracked pepper

  • Blend Dijon, soy sauce, garlic, rosemary, thyme and ginger in food processor or blender. Add cracked pepper and pour over lamb. Marinate several hours or overnight.
  • Bring lamb to room temperature before cooking. Drain lamb, reserving sauce, and place in roasting pan with ribs curving down. Bake in preheated 500º oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 300º, baste with sauce, and bake and additional 10 minutes for rare, 15 minutes for medium-rare.
  • Simmer remaining sauce in small saucepan for 5 minutes. Serve over lamb with Pistachio Crusted Sweet Potatoes and Stir-fried Sweet & Plump Sugar Snap Peas. (serves 4)
Suggested Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon




PISTACHIO CRUSTED SWEET POTATOES
~ adapted from Noteworthy Two
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4 medium sweet potatoes
1 egg white
2 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper to taste
4 Tbsp. plain yogurt or sour cream
1 cup coarsely chopped pistachios

  • Bake sweet potatoes until just tender. Peel and rice or finely shred. In medium bowl combine potatoes, egg white, coriander, brown sugar, salt, cayenne, and pepper. Add yogurt or sour cream.
  • Shape rounded tablespoons of mixture to form ovals. (Can be prepared to this point, covered and refrigerated). Roll potato ovals in pistachios, coating well. Arrange on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in preheated 400º oven 10 minutes or until hot. (about 24 ovals)
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STIR-FRIED SWEET & PLUMP SUGAR SNAP PEAS

Stir fry one handful of sweet sugar snap peas and 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil per person in large saute pan. Cook 2-3 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle to taste with cracked pepper and sea salt.

24 comments:

  1. Lovely.. Sweet potatoes are my favorite...yum! LOve the swan photo and the flowers..so pretty! So mamny wonderfully romantic dinner ideas..thanks for these deliscious menus..!!!
    You are so Fab!!
    Kiki~

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  2. Beautiful pictures and I really love lamb. I've made grilled lamb chops before, but never a rack. I should be brave sometime and try it.

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  3. Are these a Valentine bouquet, Joey? Happy Valentine's Day a little early! :-)

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  4. Cereal for dinner just isn't going to cut it after reading these recipes. Beautiful picture of the swan!

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  5. A very dreamy and romantic photo of the swan.

    Those sweet potatoes sound so good.
    Marnie

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  6. The perfect photos for a perfect recipe.

    Everything is so romantic, and dreamy, have a great Valentines Day.

    Jen

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  7. Okay ... you've done it again - I'm now starving!!!

    I've done rack of lamb in a similar way before, but I have just GOT to try those sweet potatoes! :)

    (not that Himself will even be aware that Valentine's day is coming up, but hey!)

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  8. Thanks dear Kiki and Happy Valentine's Day!

    Racks are just as easy, Lindalou, and this is a very simple recipe. Go for it!

    This is an old photo, Shady, that had an good feeling for the holiday. Happy Valentine's Day to you also <3

    Welcome and thank you, Catherine :)

    Happy Valentine's Day, Marnie. Indeed yummy and thanks :)

    Thanks Jen, just what I had hoped you might say :) Happy Valentine's Day <3

    Oh, I bet he will, Nutty, you are such a dear. Do hope this finds you feeling better ... 'in top form'!

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  9. Catching up on all your beautiful photos and yummy recipes, Joey. I'll pass on the lamb (somehow I can't get past the image of a little wooly creature), but the white chocolate and macadamia cookies are right up my alley! And for the vegetable course, my favorite--carrot cake:)

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  10. Oh, Lord, that sounds so good. I must try the sweet potato/pistachio recipe for sure. Two of my favorite things, served together. What could be better?

    Happy Valentine's Day to you!

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  11. Thanks Rose and it's quite OK ... lamb is something you either love or hate, kind of like carrot cake. Happy Valentine's Day to you too! <3

    Enjoy, Meredith :) Happy Valentine's Day ... and ... 1/2 year blogging birthday!

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  12. Dreamy romance Joey! Beautiful photos!! Happy Valentines Day to you ... you are always sharing and inspiring such delicious treats for us all! ;>) Carol

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  13. How sweet, Carol. It's been joy knowing you and seeing life through your beautiful eyes. Happy Valentine's Day to you also <3

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  14. Birthday card type pictures, Joey, lovely. They go beyond the specific to the general in a very attractive way.

    Lucy

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  15. Dear Joey, What a delicious sounding menu, and how beautifully and clearly presented. Sadly, I do not cook. To boil an egg is quite beyond me and a recent attempt to roast a chicken [a friend arrived unexpectedly] resulted in nearly poisoning the pair of us. However, I have noted down the lamb receipt and may well give it a go.

    Thank you for your comment on my latest posting, to which I have replied, and for becoming a 'Follower'.

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  16. Inspiring Joey, 2 of my favs together, Photography and food.
    Your food sounds delish while your photos are great shots.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and kind comments.

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  17. Everything sounds fantastic, comme d'habitude but I just love this line.
    PISTACHIO CRUSTED SWEET POTATOES
    Now that makes me really hungry.

    xx Tyra

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  18. Thank Lucy, how kind. Happy Valentine's Day! ♥♡

    Delighted to stopped by, Edith. This recipe is a good place to start honing your culinary skills ... very easy. In fact, I have many simple seasonal offerings that might temp you :)

    Welcome, iMac, and thanks for visiting. Don't be bashful ... hope you return :)

    Then I did a good job, dear Tyra ... I love tempting you :) Happy Valentine's Day! ♥♡

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  19. Wow, I love both lamb and sweet potatoes, so these recipes are real keepers. Plus, anything with pistachios has to taste good, right? Thanks so much for this recipe. I'm delighted to have found your blog. Teresa

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  20. Delighted YOU stopped by and thanks, Teresa. Do hope you enjoy these favorites :)

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  21. Joey, sounds like a great way to fix sweet potatos. Hubby can eat those and I have been looking for new ways to serve them. Were the beautiful roses an early Valentine gift? Hope yours is great!

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  22. So often think of you, dear Beckie, and happy to see you here :) These roses are old photos that went with post. Do hope all is well, dear Valentine.♥♡

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  23. I could eat those sugar snap peas right now and it's only 5:45 AM.

    donna

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  24. I hear you, Donna. I love them too and they are so easy to prepare :)

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