Oven-Roasted Lamb Rack with Lavender and Prosciutto Crust and Red Wine Reduction Sauce

Two servings of lamb in one week might be overkill, but test this dish in advance so you can entertain with confidence. “Frenched” lamb racks have excess fat and sinew between the bones cut to free ribs for presentation.

2 18-oz (510-gram) organic lamb racks, Frenched and cut in half, with fat cap removed
2 Tbsp (30 mL) flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 egg, beaten

Lavender and Prosciutto Crust

2 cups (500 mL) fresh bread crumbs
3 Tbsp (45 mL) chopped chives
2 Tbsp (30 mL) chopped lavender
1 cup (250 mL) ground prosciutto
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1 tsp (5 mL) cracked black pepper

Reduction Sauce

2 Tbsp (30 mL) minced onion
1 tsp (5 mL) minced garlic
1 Tbsp (15 mL) cracked pepper
2 cups (500 mL) red wine (Pinot Noir)
2 Tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup
2 Tbsp (30 mL) cold butter
2 Tbsp (30 mL) chopped chives

Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Combine all ingredients for Lavender and Prosciutto Crust. Wipe lamb dry. Combine flour, salt, and pepper and dust lamb. Dip lamb in beaten egg and wipe off excess. Cover lamb with lavender mixture on all sides.

Oil roasting pan and heat in oven 5 minutes. Add lamb, bone side up. Roast 10 minutes. Turn and cook 15 more minutes for medium rare. Remove lamb and allow to rest.

To prepare Reduction Sauce, pour out excess oil from lamb pan. Add onion, garlic, and pepper. Cook over medium heat 1 minute, scraping pan with wooden spoon to loosen crystallized bits of meat. Add wine and maple syrup and continue to cook until sauce reduces to 1/3 cup (80 mL). Whisk in butter and chives. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

source: "Spring Dinner Party", alive #282, April 2006