Spice-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Name: Spice-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Yield: serves 2
Ingredients: 1 rack of lamb (8 ribs, about 1 1/4 pounds), frenched; Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper; 1/4 cup yellow mustard seeds; 2 teaspoons fennel seeds; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Herb Oil (recipe follows), for serving; 1 cup mint leaves; 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt; (makes about 1 cup)

January 26, 2012

Rack of lamb is truly a special-occasion treat. Usually, you need to order it through a butcher, at the supermarket or in a butcher shop. Ask him to french the bones. He will know what you’re talking about, and you will sound as if you do, too. This means removing excess meat and fat from the bones, which looks nice and makes the chops dainty and neat to eat. It is really important to let the meat rest for 10 minutes before serving (it will finish cooking and reabsorb juices). This time also lets you pull together the final elements of the meal.

Recipe notes

Popover-Topped Pot Pie

A lofty popover replaces pie crust in this vegetarian pot pie filled with potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, and asparagus.

Mango Sticky Rice

Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.

Easy Egg Custard

With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.

Simple Hot Cocoa for One

With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.

Smoked Salmon Pasta With Capers and Dill

Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.

Spicy Honey Orange Shrimp (Xiang La Fengmi Xia)

A satisfying weeknight dinner from Tiffy Chen. Serve with rice or noodles.

Chicken Riggies

Hot pickled cherry peppers add acidity and heat to this beloved regional pasta.

Cod With Chorizo, Greens, and Chickpeas

In this one-pan dinner, flaky cod is finished in a chorizo-spiked sauce, alongside wilty greens and chickpeas—some tender, some crispy.