CookTeaser

A CookTale

A small dinner party with our friends, Jean-Michel and Lucien, was not going to be upset by an unwelcome guest, a sassy lady named Irene. Throughout the day the weather held, which made the prepping pleasant and took my mind off what was impending. At 6:30 they arrived, we had a drink, we ate and they made their way home as the weather deteriorated. The dinner brightened up the evening; the 1982 Chateau Nenin Pomerol certainly helped.

INGREDIENTS For the Rack of Lamb

1-1/2 Cups fine fresh Bread Crumbs
3 TB of finely chopped flat-leaf Parsley
2 TB of finely chopped Mint
2 TB of minced Rosemary
1 tsp of Salt
1/2 tsp of Black Pepper
3-1/2 TB of EVOO (or more if required)
2 Frenched Racks of Lamb (8 ribs & 1 1/2 lb per rack), trimmed of all but a thin layer of fat, at room temperature
3 TB of Dijon Mustard

METHOD

1. In a food processor add the Bread Crumbs, Parsley,
Mint, Rosemary, Salt, & Pepper. Pulse & slowly drizzle in the EVOO. Process until it forms a spreadable mix.
2. Put oven rack in middle position & preheat to 400°F.
3. Season Lamb with Salt & Pepper. Heat remaining TB of EVOO in a large flat cast iron skillet over moderately high heat until hot, but not smoking. Brown the Lamb, 1 rack at a time, turning once, about 4 minutes per rack. Transfer to a 13-by 9-by 2-inch roasting pan, arranging fatty sides up.
4. Spread fatty sides of each rack with the Dijon Mustard. Divide Bread Crumb mixture into 2 portions & pat each portion over the Mustard coating on each rack, gently pressing to adhere.
5. Roast Lamb until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into center (do not touch bone) registers 120°F (for medium-rare), 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then cut into chops.

RECIPE Celeriac Purée

By Chef Eric Ripert
Served at: Le Bernardin

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream
Juice of half a Lemon
1 TB of Kosher or Sea Salt
1 large Celeriac Knob
3 TB of Butter
Freshly ground White Pepper

METHOD

1. Bring 2 quarts of water, 1/4 cup of Cream & the Lemon Juice to a boil, add 1 TB of Salt. Peel and roughly chop the Celeriac Knob, add to the boiling water & cook until softened, about 25 minutes.
2. Strain, reserving the cooking liquid. Put the Celeriac in a blender & puree with the remaining Cream, Butter & as much cooking liquid as necessary. Season to taste with Salt & Pepper.

RECIPE Cannellini Beans with Diced Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

1 Large can of Cannellini Beans
1 14 Ounce can of Diced Tomatoes
2 Garlic Cloves thinly sliced
1 TB of Butter + 1 TB of EVOO
A Dash of Red Pepper Flakes
Kosher Salt & White Pepper
Parsley finely chopped

METHOD

1. Heat a saute pan to medium. Add the EVOO, when tender add the Garlic. when tender add the Diced Tomatoes, Red Pepper Flakes & Salt & Pepper. When the tomatoes have softened, add the Cannellini Beans. Cook for a few minutes more until they all have melded together.
2. Turn off the heat & cover the pan, until plating.