**Grilled Leg of Lamb with Zinfandel Marinade and Mint Pesto: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors**
Indulge in a succulent and flavorful culinary journey with our grilled leg of lamb, a dish that harmoniously blends the richness of lamb, the fruity essence of Zinfandel, and the refreshing zest of mint pesto. This exquisite recipe promises a tantalizing experience for your taste buds, leaving you craving for more. Alongside the main attraction, discover a delectable selection of accompanying recipes, including a refreshing cucumber salad with a tangy dressing, a creamy and flavorful tzatziki sauce, and a delightful roasted vegetable medley that adds a vibrant burst of colors and flavors to your meal. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will elevate your dining experience to new heights.
LAMB LOIN CHOPS WITH MINT PESTO
Steps:
- Preheat grill on high.
- Rub the lamb with the olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, thyme, rosemary, pepper and salt. Rub mixture all over the lamb. Let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- While chops are resting, prepare the Mint Pesto.
- Grill the lamb chops 2 to 3 minutes per side, for medium rare.
- Serve the lamb chops with the Mint Pesto.
- Add the garlic to a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add the pine nuts and pulse to chop. Add half of the herbs and chop for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the herbs and chop. Add in the Parmesan and salt and pepper, pulse briefly until combined. While machine is running, slowly add the oil in a steady stream and process to desired thickness.
RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT-BASIL PESTO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Blend the mint, basil, nuts, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a food processor until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually blend in 1/3 cup of oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Generously sprinkle the lamb racks with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a grill pan or heavy large skillet over high heat. Place 1 lamb rack in the skillet and cook just until brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the lamb rack meat side up on a heavy large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 2 lamb racks.
- Roast the lamb in the oven until cooked to desired doneness, about 20 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb racks to a work surface. Set aside for 10 minutes. Cut the lamb between the bones into single chops. Spread the pesto over 1 cut side of each chop. Arrange the chops, pesto side up, on plates or a platter, and serve.
- Do-Ahead Tip: The pesto and lamb racks may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead. Cover the pesto and lamb separately and refrigerate. Allow extra time for the chilled lamb to roast.
- Alternately, the racks of lamb can be sliced then broiled before serving. To broil the lamb: Use 18 to 24 meaty single lamb rib chops (about 2 1/2 ounces each, from 3 racks of lamb). Preheat the broiler. Arrange the lamb chops in a single layer over 2 heavy baking sheets. Lightly brush the lamb chops with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Watching closely, broil the lamb chops 3 inches from the heat source until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Spread the pesto over the chops. Arrange the chops pesto side up on plates or a platter, and serve.
- RECOMMENDED WINE #1: Boroli Barolo 1998
- REGION/ORIGIN: Barolo, Piedmont
- GRAPE/VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
- RECOMMENDED WINE #2: Avignonesi Vino Nobile d'Montepulciano 2001
- REGION/ORIGIN: Montepulciano, Tuscany
- GRAPE/VARIETAL: Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile - local clone of sangiovese)
GRILLED LEG OF LAMB
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 1h27m
Yield 8 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large non-reactive bowl. Add the lamb, making sure it is covered with marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator, covered, overnight or for up to 3 days.
- Bring the lamb to room temperature. Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals. Scrape the marinade off the lamb, wipe the meat with paper towels, and season it generously with salt and pepper. Brush the grill with oil to keep the lamb from sticking, and grill on both sides until the internal temperature is 120 to 125 degrees for rare. This will take 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how hot the grill is.
- Remove the lamb to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Then slice and serve.
GRILLED MARINATED LEG OF LAMB
Steps:
- Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in sealable plastic bag. Add lamb and seal bag, pressing out air. Turn bag to coat lamb, then put bag in a shallow baking pan and marinate, chilled, turning bag over occasionally, at least 8 hours.
- Bring lamb to room temperature, about 1 hour, before grilling.
- Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure.
- Remove lamb from marinade (discard marinade) and run 3 or 4 skewers lengthwise through lamb about 2 inches apart. Grill on a lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using gas grill, turning over occasionally and, if necessary, moving around on grill to avoid flare-ups, until thermometer registers 125 to 128°F, 8 to 14 minutes total for medium-rare.
- Transfer lamb to a cutting board and remove skewers. Let lamb stand, loosely covered with foil, 20 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to 135°F while meat stands.) Cut across the grain into slices.
GRILLED LEG OF LAMB WITH GARLIC AND MINT
Marinated leg of lamb is elegant enough for a special occasion, but easy enough to make any night of the week.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Lamb Recipes
Time P1D
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine oil, mint, garlic, zest, 3 tablespoons salt, and the red-pepper flakes; season with pepper. Reserve 1/2 cup marinade.
- Pound lamb to an even 1-inch thickness. Place lamb in a baking dish, and massage marinade into meat. Refrigerate overnight.
- Let lamb stand at room temperature for 1 hour before grilling. Heat grill to medium-high. Brush grates with oil. Remove lamb from dish, and brush off any excess marinade. Grill lamb, flipping every 5 minutes for even cooking, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 130 degrees to 135 degrees for medium-rare, 8 to 10 minutes per side. Let stand for 10 minutes. Slice lamb across the grain. Drizzle with reserved marinade.
MINT-MARINATED LEG OF LAMB
Steps:
- Mix first 5 ingredients in large glass baking dish. Season with generous amount of pepper. Add lamb, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Drain lamb and transfer to large roasting pan. Season both sides with salt and generous amount of pepper. Arrange fat side down in pan. Roast 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue roasting until thermometer inserted in thickest part of lamb registers 130°F for rare, about 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into slices. Arrange on platter. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.
Tips:
- Choose a high-quality leg of lamb: Look for a leg of lamb that is well-marbled with fat, as this will help keep the lamb moist during cooking.
- Marinate the lamb overnight: This will help infuse the lamb with flavor and make it more tender. You can use either the Zinfandel marinade or the mint pesto marinade.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat before grilling the lamb: This will help create a nice sear on the outside of the lamb while keeping the inside moist.
- Cook the lamb to your desired doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb. For medium-rare, cook the lamb to an internal temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit; for medium, cook the lamb to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit; and for well-done, cook the lamb to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the lamb rest for 10 minutes before carving: This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the lamb, making it more tender and flavorful.
- Serve the lamb with your favorite sides: Some popular sides for lamb include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus.
Conclusion:
Grilled Leg of Lamb with Zinfandel Marinade and Mint Pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The Zinfandel marinade helps to tenderize the lamb and give it a slightly sweet and fruity flavor. The mint pesto adds a refreshing and herbaceous flavor to the lamb. This dish is sure to impress your guests!
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