Crown Roast Racks with Wild Rice, Kale and Mushroom Filling
Crafted with precision, these New Zealand Spring Lamb® Racks are a visual and gastronomic delight. Roasted to a rosy medium doneness, they deliver tender, flavorful bites that harmonize beautifully with the earthy and savory filling of wild rice, mushrooms, and kale.
Ingredients
- 2 New Zealand Spring Lamb® Frenched Racks, fresh or frozen, thawed in refrigerator overnight if frozen
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Kitchen twine
- Aluminum foil
- 2-6 toothpicks
- Wild Rice, Mushroom and Kale Filling
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 8 medium cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 2 cups wild rice, cooked and chilled
- 1 cup basmati rice, cooked and chilled
- 10 large kale leaves (stalks removed and thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup Romano cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
- 3 tbsp Romano cheese, grated or slivered (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- Prep time
- 30 minutes
- Cook time
- 1 hour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC)
- Place lamb racks, ribs side up on a work surface. Cut 1/2 of the way through the base of the meaty part between the base bone on each rib (this allows the racks to fall open into a crown shape)
- Stand racks upright with rib side out, forming a circle. Using kitchen twine, tie end ribs of both racks together
- With a toothpick, pierce to attach the meat base together and tie with twine
- Rub the lamb with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan
- Place aluminum foil around the edges of the rib bones to avoid burning. Roll some foil together to make a ball. Place foil in the centre of crown to ensure it keeps its shape
- Roast for approximately 25 minutes
- Remove aluminum foil from rib bones and continue to roast until lamb reaches an internal temperature of 140ºF (60ºC) at its thickest point for a rosy medium doneness, as measured by a meat thermometer
- Remove from oven, cover entire dish with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 20 minutes
- Remove aluminum foil ‘ball’ from centre of crown and place roast on serving platter. Fill with stuffing and remove twine, using extra stuffing as a side dish
- Wild Rice, Mushroom and Kale Filling
- In a large non-stick skillet, add 2 tbsp butter, onion, garlic, sage and oregano. Cook over medium heat until onion softens, approximately 10 minutes
- Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 5 minutes
- Turn heat to medium-high, add kale and continue to sauté over medium heat until kale has wilted for approximately 5 minutes
- Add the rice and remaining butter and continue to sauté until heated through. Stir in grated cheese
- Generously fill lamb crown cavity with filling. Top with pine nuts
- Add additional cheese and parsley (optional)
- Remaining stuffing can be served as a side dish
