Fancy Schmancy Mini Rack of Lamb Appetizer
Oh, the joys of meal pretension. Today, I delve into the world of gourmet appetizers with a recipe that'll make you feel like a master chef in just 15 minutes. Yes, we're talking about the Fancy Schmancy Mini Rack of Lamb Appetizer. Spoiler alert: you probably have everything you need lying around in your kitchen, and it's embarrassingly easy to make.
You'll need a mini rack of lamb rib bones – I opted for Ovation Lamb from New Zealand because nothing screams "fancy" like imported meat. Fresh thyme is a must, along with some EVOO (that's extra virgin olive oil for those of you not yet inducted into the pretentious cooks club). The seasoning lineup includes salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and dried oregano. The quantities? Well, let's just say they're "to taste." I personally enjoy a heavy hand with the garlic powder, cumin, and salt, but if you're more into onion powder and oregano, go wild. For reference, my concoction involved about a third of a cup of EVOO and roughly a teaspoon of each seasoning, with the aforementioned trio bumped up to nearly a tablespoon each.
Now, let’s move on to the mind-blowingly complex preparation process. Start by setting your oven to broil on high. Yes, broil. Because nothing says "I know what I'm doing" like using the broiler. Next, in a medium-sized bowl, mix the EVOO with all your seasonings. Taste it as you go, and feel free to adjust as if you were auditioning for a cooking show.
Once your mixture is to your liking, place the lamb rib bones into this seasoned olive oil bath. Let them luxuriate for about 15 minutes. This is not only to infuse flavor but also to make you feel fancy for marinating something. While your lamb is soaking up the goodness, preheat a cast iron pan. Because, of course, we need to use cast iron – it's rustic and sophisticated all at once.
When the lamb is done mingling with the spices, place it into the hot cast iron pan. Toss in some fresh thyme sprigs because the presentation is everything, darling. Broil the lamb for about seven to eight minutes on each side. For added flair, remove the pan from the oven before flipping the lamb and drizzle a bit more of that seasoned EVOO mix. This is the part where you pretend you're on a cooking show, narrating your every move with confidence.
Once the lamb is cooked to perfection – and by perfection, I mean still tender and juicy with a slight char – remove it from the oven. Transfer the lamb to a serving plate, and if you’re feeling particularly artistic, add a few more thyme sprigs for garnish.
Your Fancy Schmancy Mini Rack of Lamb Appetizer is ready to dazzle your guests or, let’s be honest, just you on a Wednesday night. Enjoy the fruits of your faux-gourmet labor and bask in the glory of how simple yet impressive this dish truly is. Because at the end of the day, who doesn’t love to fake it till they make it in the kitchen?
Fancy Schmancy Mini Rack of Lamb Appetizer
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set the oven to broil (High)
- In a medium sized bowl, add EVOO, and all of the seasonings. Taste test, and add additional seasonings to your preference.
- Place the rib bones of lamb into the olive oil mixture and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Then add the lamb to a cast iron pan, with fresh thyme sprigs all over.
- Broil for about 7-8 minutes on both sides. I tend to remove them from the oven before flipping them over, and add a little more of the EVOO mixture.
- Remove from the oven, place onto a serving plate, add additional thyme for garnishing if you’d like.
