Dijon Rack of Lamb

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2  (8-rib) lamb rib roasts (2 to 2 1/2 pounds each), trimmed
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 3  teaspoons  pepper
• 3  tablespoons  olive oil
• 3  tablespoons  Dijon mustard
• 1  cup  fresh herb focaccia breadcrumbs*

Preparation

Rub lamb evenly with salt and pepper.

Cook lamb in hot oil in a large skillet over high heat 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Place lamb, fat side up, on a rack in broiling pan.

Bake at 425° for 20 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 145°.

Remove lamb from oven; leaving oven on. Cover lamb loosely with aluminum foil, and let stand 10 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 150°.

Brush lamb with mustard; cover with breadcrumbs. Return lamb to oven, and bake 4 to 5 minutes or until golden. Cut into chops, and serve.

*1 cup fresh French breadcrumbs may be substituted. Focaccia is a flat Italian bread that can be found in the bakery section of grocery stores.

Note: When Jacques prepares this dish, he prefers to cook the lamb until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 135°.