sun-dried tomato pesto-paste with parsley and mint

rack of lamb used to be one of my signature dishes when i was first learning to cook.  it's so simple to make but has this super decadent, fancy factor.  unfortunately, it's not the cheapest cut of meat so it's fallen out of my repertoire during this last year+ of recessionista cooking.  however, recently i got a request from a client to make a rack of lamb for her and her husband, and it reminded me how much i missed biting into a perfectly tender medium-rare piece of rack of lamb.  the subtle gaminess of the meat, nibbling every last remnant off the bone and of course the many possible accompaniments - i missed all of it.  while rack of lamb can be served perfectly naked with just some s&p, i love it even more when it's served with the right accompaniment: a pan sauce, a spice rub, an herb crust, a side of polenta.

for these new clients, i wanted to come up with a new accompaniment.  the wife had just had a child and was looking to shed some of her baby weight, so i knew i wanted something light but full of flavor.  sun-dried tomatoes came to mind as it has just the right level of acidity balanced with an earthy savoriness.  it would make the perfect base for a rough chopped pesto-paste.  combined with parsley, mint, garlic and some olive oil and salt, i found myself spooning this into my mouth long after i cleaned off all the meat from the bone. 

rack of lamb
serves 2

one rack of lamb (french cut)
1 tbs salt
freshly ground pepper
2 tbs olive oil

preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

a rack of lamb should contain 8 bones.  slice into four pieces, so between the 2nd and 3rd bone, 4th and 5th and 6th and 7th.  sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. 

heat a large stainless steel oven safe pan over high heat.  add olive oil and distribute around the pan.  carefully place each piece of lamb onto one of their exposed cut sides.  sear for 3 minutes and turn over to the other side and sear for another 2 minutes.  cover with a piece of aluminum foil and place inside oven.  cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135 degrees for medium rare.  let rest for 10 minutes before slicing through each piece of lamb again so that one side of the meat is seared and the other tender and moist.  eat with sun-dried tomato pesto-paste below!

sun-dried tomato pesto-paste with parsley & mint
makes 1/2 cup, can be served with any protein

6 sundried tomatoes
2 garlic cloves
1/4 bunch of parsley
6-8 mint leaves
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt

rough chop first four ingredients together, so flavors start to meld.  pour olive oil over and add salt to ingredients.  run knife through a few more times through mixture so that it almost forms a paste.  spoon over proteins - great with lamb, chicken or fish.

Comments

[markell]

is this what i missed tonight? damn. i should have come over!

[Marlo]

Wow! This looks so delish! I'll have to try it soon!

[DocChuck]

no, i think i'll pass on this.

[Online Pharmacy]

Commercial pesto is commonly available in supermarkets in either green (original) or red (with sun-dried tomatoes or red bell peppers)

[Online Pharmacy]

Pesto alla siciliana, sometimes called simply pesto rosso (red pesto) is a sauce from Sicily similar to Genovese pesto but with the addition

[generic viagra]

Can I use a regular tomato instead of sun dried tomatoes in a recipe?
I am making an Italian meal but can not afford a $5 can of sun dried tomatoes, will a regular tomato work?

[Mary]

I’d like to personally invite you to join the CookEatShare Author network. CookEatShare has had over 2.5 million unique visitors in 2009, and I think they will be interested in your content. Users will be guided to your actual blog, so this is a free way to increase page views and visitors to your site.

Please visit http://cookeatshare.com/blogs/apply for additional information or contact me at mary@cookeatshare.com for more information, to get unique link to claim and customize your profile.

[buy generic viagra]

The ancient Romans ate a cheese spread called moretum which may sometimes have been made with basil. The herb likely originated in North Africa; however, it was first domesticated in India

[generic Viaga Online]

Basil took the firmest root in the regions of Liguria, Italy and Provence, France. The Ligurians around Genoa took the dish and adapted it, using a combination of basil, crushed garlic, parsley, grated hard cheese (parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino, etc.),

[renaissance costume]

Oh yes.. my mouth already waters.. I remember my mom because she also use to make me this kind of food.. Thanks much for the post. Keep them coming.. :)

[buy kamagra online]

In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being."[4] Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.[5]

[discount propecia]

The herb likely originated in North Africa; however, it was first domesticated in India

[cialis online]

your blog is very interesting. the information it contains is very comprehensive and entertaining. I thank you for your help.

[Nursing PJs]

Wow verry nice!! looks so delicious!!
Hmm yummy!! thanks for the recipe!!

[generic ativan]

Basil took the firmest root in the regions of Liguria, Italy and Provence

[certified cna classes in michigan]

It is so terrible that they put so many powerful corrupted people in leaership. Daley put Rob Hubberman to head the Chicago Public schools and he is allowing principals to have full power to do what they want even though its breaking Chicago teachers Union and board rules. For example, this year 2010, The Principal at Pasteur school is fire and nonrenewing teacher contracts just before they get tenured that are highly qualified, and firing tenure teachers. However, he is keeping teachers like Sandra Luna who started 2008 with only a substitute certificate and previous obtain a type 29 which is not even a standard certificate. All the other teachers he is getting rid of have standard certificates, are highly qualified teachers, and have more years than Sandra Luna who he is trying to keep. He most have some kind of favors going with her. In addition, he is trying to keep Olivia Lopez who he hired the 2009-2010 and placed in a special education position. This teacher did not have any background knowledge in special education, but he got her a emergency special education certificate. With this certificate the teacher must promise she will get a special education standard certificate. This teacher is not highly qualified to teach her position neither does she have even a complete year of teaching yet Mr. Gilliat has offered her a position for the 2010-2011 school year. In the Teachers Union Contract it clearly states when teachers are to lose their position, it should be according to tenure status and certification. So why is the Chicago Board of Education allowing James Gilliat, the principal at Pasteur to break their own contract with the union?

[costa rica investments]

hello people want to express my satisfaction with this blog very creative and I really like the views of the focus very good indeed

[louis vuitton bag]

I’m hoping that we’ll end up with a slew of prototyped ideas and a bunch of happy people. I’m sure there’ll be a lot more hard work until we can turn those embryonic proofs of concept into living

[Free Quick Claim Deed Form]

Hey Kevin, we very much appreciate the sentiment, but the rumors of our death are somewhat exaggerated. You won't miss ANY of the good

writing you enjoyed in Book World (and we hope to keep using you, too!). In the DC area, we'll keep running a full range of book reviews and

book features (they'll just be a lot easier to find), and folks like you who read us online won't notice any change. So, please, please: keep us

bookmarked and keep reading. Many thanks.

[viagra online]

Eventually it'd be cool if you could get a QR code tattoo. Barcode tattoos already exist, but they don't actually contain information. Someone tattooing a barcode on themselves is most likely using it as a political statement, to suggest that they're oppressed by the man, or just a cog in the global machine.

[Replica jerseys]

Wow! This looks so delish! I'll have to try it soon!

[kitchen table]

I am still making this recipe during family gatherings! They really loved it! Thanks a lot for the share.

[Asian Boobs]

That looks absolutely delicious!

[Generic Viagra 100mg]

I have always felt that blogging has been an art where people express their experiences in the best manner.This is something that is very informational.I must appreciate your article writing skills.Every time i come here i see something very new.Thanks for sharing the information.I love when you share your views through the best articles.Keep sharing and posting articles like these.This article has helped me a lot.Keep posting this stuff.

[Caverta Online]

The creativity of your blogs is best.This is something very best on your part.Providing information in the best possible manner is your best attribute.I love when you share your views through the best articles.Keep sharing and posting articles like these.This article has helped me a lot.Keep posting this stuff.