Recipe provided by | Chef Edward Leonard, CMC
Servings: 12
INGREDIENTS
Lamb:
6 Pounds American Lamb blade chops
6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
18 Stalks fresh rosemary
Caesar Dressing:
3 Garlic, minced
9 White anchovy filets
Pinch salt and pepper
6 tablespoons pasteurized egg yolks
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon mint
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
1-1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
Pitas:
12 Pita bread
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
6 ounces clarified butter
3 Heart of romaine
3/4 Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated
Salad Mix:
6 tablespoonsTomatoes, diced
6 tablespoons kalamata olives, diced
6 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
36 White Anchovies
DIRECTIONS
METHOD:
For the Lamb: Trim lamb of any extra fat and remove bones. Pound lamb chops between 2 pieces of paper until thin; cut into 12 cutlets. Season with oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper flakes. Place one-half of the rosemary on a baking dish; place lamb cutlets on the rosemary. Place remaining rosemary on top; marinate for 20 minutes. Grill lamb cutlets over high heat for 2 minutes on each side; reserve.
For Caesar Dressing: In a small food processor, add garlic, anchovy filets and a pinch of salt and pepper. Puree until smooth. Add the pasteurized yolks, lemon juice, water, mint and yogurt; process for 30 seconds. While the processor is running, slowly add the oil to form an emulsion. Remove the mixture from the processor and place in a small bowl. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Reserve for service.
For the Pitas: Season each side with kosher salt and pepper and drizzle with melted clarified butter. Place bread onto a wire rack then onto a baking sheet. Toast at 350ºF until golden brown. Reserve for service.
For Romaine: Place dressing in a squirt bottle. Holding the heart of romaine lettuce upright, dress the inside and outside of the lettuce. Wrap the dressed romaine heart in plastic wrap tightly to form a cylinder. Refrigerate 1/2 hour to hold its shape.
For Parmigiano Cookies: Place silicone mat onto a baking sheet. Using a 4-inch round mold to keep a circular shape, sprinkle cheese onto mat, repeating 12 times. Bake at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until cheese has slightly browned. Allow to cool; remove from mat.
For Salad Mix: Mix tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and olive oil well.
To Assemble: Place a pita in the center of each plate. Top with grilled lamb cutlet. Cut each head of romaine into 4 equal slices about 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick. Place a romaine round on top of each lamb slice. Top each romaine with the salad mix. Top with Parmigiano cookie. Roll each anchovy and place 3 on each plate. Drizzle with remaining Caesar dressing and extra virgin olive oil.
Recipe and image provided by the American Lamb Board