This Sun Dried Tomato Crusted Rack of American Lamb served with a sun dried tomato pesto is juicy, tender and delicious. Cooked in the oven to a perfect medium-rare and packed with so much umami flavor from the sun dried tomatoes.
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Drizzle lamb with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sear until browned on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and let rest for 20-30 minutes, to cool slightly.
Preheat your oven to 450-degrees.
Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine sun dried tomatoes and the oil they’re packed in, bread crumbs, Parmesan, rosemary and garlic. Pulse until a paste form, then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pat the sun dried tomato mixture over the lamb rack in an even layer.
Bake 20-30 minutes, to a temperature of 120-degrees for medium rare (the temperature will continue to rise to 125-degrees as the lamb sits). Let rest 10 minutes then slice between the bones into individual chops, allowing about two per person.
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Combine sun dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt, basil and pine nuts in a food processor, and process until finely chopped.
With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and process until the mixture is smooth.
Add the parmesan and lemon juice and pulse a few times to combine.
Serve
Slice the lamb between the bones into individual chops, allowing about 2 per person. Serve with sun dried tomato pesto and any of the crust that's fallen of dolloped on top.
Video
Notes
Cooking Temperatures
Rare: 120-130 degrees (very red inside)
Medium-Rare: 130-140 degrees (bright pink inside)
Medium: 140-145 degrees (light pink inside)
Medium-Well: 145-150 degrees (barely any pink left)
Well-Done: 150-160 degrees (no pink)
USDA recommends cooking lamb to an internal temperature of 145F with a 3 minute rest.