Noisettes and Vegetable Sauté

luxurious loins for two

Ingredients

Directions

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon salt freshly ground black pepper, to taste 4 lamb noisettes (about 12 ounces total) [see note] ½ pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths 1 cup artichoke hearts, thawed if frozen 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons dry white vermouth 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1/3 cup crème fraîche 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill ¼ cup fresh green peas

1. Combine 1 teaspoono of the lemon zest, the garlic, ¼ teaspoon of the salt, and pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Rub this into the meat, and let it stand for 1 hour at room temperature. 2. Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to a boil, and add the asparagus. Simmer for 3 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again. Set aside, loosely covered. 3. Bring another saucepan of water to a boil, and add the artichoke hearts. Simmer for 3 minutes. Then drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again. Set aside, loosely covered. 4. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat. Sauté the lamb 3 minutes per side for rare meat. Transfer the lamb to a platter and keep warm. Discard the oil in the skillet. 5. Add the vermouth and vinegar to the skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until the liquid has reduced to 1 tablespoon, 1 to 2 minutes. 6. Stir in the crème fraîche, dill, remaining 1 teaspoon lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Add the asparagus, artichoke hearts, and peas. Cook over high heat, adding any juices that have accumulated around the lamb, until the mixture is thick and the vegetables are coated. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Arrange the noisettes on two plates, and spoon the vegetables and sauce over and around them. Serve immediately. Note: A noisette is the trimmed meat from the eye of a loin lamb chop.

Crème Fraîche

Ingredients	Directions
½ cup heavy or whipping cream (not ultra-pasturized) ½ cup sour cream	Whisk the creams together in a small bowl. Pour the mixture into a jar, cover, and let stand in a warm place for 12 hours. Then stir, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Makes 1 cup.

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