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Roasted Lamb Rack with Herbs. Tasty and Simple.

A simple yet tasty and elegant classic dinner for two: a moist herbed roasted lamb rack. The herbal marinade helps minimize the strong lamb flavor so many find “gamey”, giving it a milder and appealing flavor. Serve with fresh green salad and a glass of red wine, dim the lights, light a candle on the table, and you have a romantic healthy light dinner.

Lamb meat is renowned for its distinctive flavor, tender texture, and versatility in culinary applications. The flavor of lamb is often described as rich, slightly gamey, and more robust than other types of meat, such as beef or chicken. This unique taste is attributed to the animal’s diet, which typically includes grasses, herbs, and other forage, as well as its age and breed.

Texture-wise, lamb meat is known for its tenderness, especially when sourced from younger animals. The muscle fibers in lamb are generally finer and more delicate compared to beef, resulting in a tender and juicy eating experience. However, the texture can vary depending on the cut and cooking method used. For instance, cuts from the loin or rib tend to be more tender and succulent, while cuts from the shoulder or leg may be slightly tougher but still flavorful when cooked properly.

Due to its robust flavor and tender texture, lamb lends itself well to a wide range of cooking techniques, including grilling, roasting, braising, and stewing. It pairs beautifully with various herbs and spices, such as rosemary, garlic, mint, and cumin, enhancing its natural taste and aroma.

Lamb is a popular choice in many cuisines around the world, from Mediterranean dishes like Greek gyros and Moroccan tagines to Indian curries and Australian lamb chops.

Below is a Mediterranean version of a herbed rack of lamb that is as tasty as it is simple and fulfilling.

roasted rack of lamb

Roasted Herbed Rack of Lamb

A rack of lamb gets minimal treatment for a maximal punch. Enjoy with a glass of a full body red wine for a a perfect romantic dinner for two.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French, Mediterranean
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Lamb

  • 1 rack of lamb 8 chops

Marinade

  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard grainy preferred
  • 1 Tbsp tamari sauce
  • 1 Tbsp dry red wine
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary finely chopped or crushed
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme finely chopped or crushed
  • 1 tsp fresh oregano finely chopped or crushed
  • ½ tsp fresh ginger finely chopped or crushed
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Trim excess fat from lamb rack
  • In a bowl that will comfortably hold the lamb rack mix together marinade ingredients: garlic, mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, ginger, pepper
  • Rub the lamb rack with the marinade paste and let marinade in room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Cover the bowl while the lamb is marinating. If marinating over night, make sure you refrigerate the lamb.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (about 200°C)
  • Place lamb rack in a roasting pan, fat side down
  • Roast for 10 minutes
  • Turn lamb rack over in pan – fat side up
  • Roast for another 20 minutes for medium-rare.
  • Add up to 10 more minutes of roasting if you like your lamb more on the done side. Make sure you do not burn the roast!
  • Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes
  • Carve and serve, garnishing with fresh herb sprigs

Notes

  • If using dry herbs, use a third to half the amount of fresh herbs
  • As always with herbs, substitute for the flavors you like: basil, parsley, cilantro, tarragon, marjoram will all be great substitutes.
  • If marinating over night, make sure meat is back to room temperature before roasting. That will be at least 30 minutes out of refrigerator.
  • Letting a roast “rest” is a key stage for good results: it allows the liquids to reabsorb into the meat for a moist and not bloody outcome.
  • We calculate 2 chops per person, but are notorious to have 3 or 4 in one seating. Calculate your portion size accordingly!
Keyword dijon mustard, herbs, Lamb, mustard, rosemary, Thyme

Watch more images in our gallery section, Roasted Herbed Lamb Rack.


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