1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
1 1 1/2-pound rack of lamb, Frenched and trimmed (see Tip)
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 15-ounce can lentils, rinsed, or 1 1/3 cups cooked lentils
1 Granny Smith apple, finely chopped
2 stalks celery with leaves, finely chopped
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, or water
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, or cider vinegar
Preparation
1.Preheat oven to 450°F.
2.Mix breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.
3.Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add lamb, meat-side down, and sear until browned, about 1 1/2 minutes. Turn it over and spread 2 teaspoons mustard over the meat. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mustard. Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted in the center registers 140°F for medium-rare, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
4.Return the pan to medium-high heat (be careful: the handle will still be hot). Add shallots, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Stir in lentils, apple, celery, broth (or water), vinegar and the remaining 1 teaspoon mustard; bring to a lively simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is slightly reduced and the celery and apple are starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Cut the lamb into 8 chops and serve over the lentils.
Tips & Notes
Note: We like Ian's brand of coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs, labeled “Panko breadcrumbs.” Find them in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets. Or, make your own breadcrumbs: Trim crusts from firm sandwich bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice makes about 1/3 cup. Spread the breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until dry and crispy, about 15 minutes.
Tip: To serve 4 people, look for a rack of lamb that has 8 chops. If you can find one that’s been “Frenched” (meat cut away at the tips, exposing the bone) and trimmed, you will only need a 1-pound rack. Otherwise, look for a 1 1/2-pound rack and ask your butcher to prepare it for you.
NutritionPer serving: 285 calories; 9 g fat ( 3 g sat , 4 g mono ); 69 mg cholesterol; 21 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 29 g protein; 7 g fiber; 429 mg sodium; 362 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Folate (54% daily value), Selenium (34% dv), Zinc (20% dv)
Carbohydrate Servings: 1
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fruit, 4 lean meat
