Protein-Packed Dinner

Lamb Cutlets with Mango and Figs

Name: Lamb Cutlets with Mango and Figs
Total time: 14 h 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 racks frenched lamb (8 ribs each); 0.5 cup olive oil; 4 cloves garlic cloves (peeled and crushed); 2 sprigs fresh rosemary crushed (about 4-inches each); 4 sprigs fresh thyme (crushed); freshly ground Black pepper (to taste); 2 Tbsps olive oil (to saute); coarse salt; Parchment paper sheet to make paper frills; (optional); butcher's Twine (optional); 1 ripe Mango (peeled); 2 Tbsps olive oil (divided); 2 shallots (peeled and finely chopped); 6 cups water; salt (to taste); 1.5 cups medium Cornmeal (stone-ground recommended); 0.5 cup Parmesan (grated); freshly ground Black pepper (to taste); 3 Tbsps butter (cut into large chunks); fresh thyme (for garnish); 10 dried Figs (stems removed and finely chopped); 0.667 cup Orange juice; 0.5 Mango finely diced (from above recipe); 1 Tbsp butter; 1 shallot (peeled and finely chopped); 1 tsp coarse Mustard; 4 fresh, ripe Figs (washed)

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Difficulty:

moderate

Difficulty

Preparation:

45 min.

Preparation

ready in 14 h. 10 min.

Ready in

Healthy, because

Even smarter

Lamb is a meat that is full of protein and healthy fats. The mango fig sauce adds a sweet element, along with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Serve with a side of mashed potatoes, which complements lamb really well. For a lighter side, pair with an arugula or spinach salad.

Author of this recipe:

EAT-SMARTER

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Ingredients

for

servings

For Lamb Chops: 2 racks frenched lamb (8 ribs each); ½ cup olive oil; 4 cloves garlic cloves (peeled and crushed); 2 sprigs fresh rosemary crushed (about 4-inches each); 4 sprigs fresh thyme (crushed); freshly ground Black pepper (to taste); 2 Tbsps olive oil (to saute); coarse salt; Parchment paper sheet to make paper frills; (optional); butcher's Twine (optional)

For Mango Polenta: 1 ripe Mango (peeled); 2 Tbsps olive oil (divided); 2 shallots (peeled and finely chopped); 6 cups water; salt (to taste); 1 ½ cups medium Cornmeal (stone-ground recommended); ½ cup Parmesan (grated); freshly ground Black pepper (to taste); 3 Tbsps butter (cut into large chunks); fresh thyme (for garnish)

For Mango-Fig Sauce and Figs: 10 dried Figs (stems removed and finely chopped); ⅔ cup Orange juice; ½ Mango finely diced (from above recipe); 1 Tbsp butter; 1 shallot (peeled and finely chopped); 1 tsp coarse Mustard; 4 fresh, ripe Figs (washed)

How healthy are the main ingredients?

Orange juice olive oil Parmesan garlic clove olive oil thyme

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Preparation

Kitchen utensils

1 Roasting pan, 1 Measuring cups, 1 Cutting board, 1 Large knife, 1 Small knife, 1 Tablespoon, 1 Wooden spoon, 1 Slotted spatula, 1 Aluminum foil, 1 Plate

Preparation steps

For Lamb Chops:

Rinse the lamb in cold running water and pat completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl or 1 gallon resealable plastic storage bag, combine olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Add the lamb and coat well. Season well with black pepper. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

Remove the lamb from marinade; gently scrape off herbs. Preheat oven to 400º F.

Heat a skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the lamb generously with salt, and sear fat side down until golden brown, or about 6 minutes.

Place in a shallow roasting pan fat side up and place paper frills on the bone and tie with butcher's twine (optional). Roast in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Allow the rack to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

Cut each lamb rack into equal individual chops and divide between plates. Serve with polenta and figs.

For Mango Polenta:

Cut the ripe mango flesh away from the stone and puree 1/2 of the mango, reserving the remaining fruit for the Mango-Fig Sauce.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; saute the shallots until until soft and translucent.

10.

Bring the water to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan set over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon salt. Place the cornmeal into a measuring cup and pour the cornmeal into boiling water in an extremely slow stream, stirring in a circular motion, using a wooden spoon. Add pureed mango and sauteed shallots, stirring to incorporate.

11.

Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting and cover. Cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring the polenta every 4 to 5 minutes, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan. The polenta will become soft and smooth. Stir in the cheese; season with pepper to taste.

12.

Oil a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining olive oil. Spread the polenta on the prepared baking sheet to a thickness of 1-inch. Let cool, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator overnight.

13.

Using a flower-shaped cutter, cut out polenta. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly fry polenta on both sides until heated through. Arrange on serving tray or individual plates. Garnish with fresh thyme.

14.

For Mango-Fig Sauce and Figs:

15.

Soak the chopped dried figs in orange juice for 20 to 30 minutes, to soften. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots until soft and translucent.

16.

Combine the softened figs, orange juice, remaining chopped mango, sauteed shallots, and mustard and gently simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until thick and syrupy.

17.

Using a sharp knife, cut a "X" deeply through the stem of the figs, do not cut all the way through. Open up the fig and arrange on plates with the lamb and polenta. Drizzle with warm mango-fig sauce. Serve.