Nici Wickes: Christmas lamb

<p>Lamb is such a winner for the festive table and this year we’re moving away from ‘whole leg’ to some of the smaller cuts - less time to cook, plenty of flavour, easier to control the cooking and paired with plenty of plants, it’s the perfect centrepiece. I’m using lamb racks but you could use rumps, loin, leg steaks or medallions. You choose!</p> <p>Serves 8-12</p> <p>3-4 lamb racks (or enough for 2-3 cutlets pp) or use 3-4 lamb rumps or loins</p> <p>2 tablespoons olive oil</p> <p>¼ cup breadcrumbs</p> <p>3 tablespoons wholegrain mustard</p> <p>2 teaspoons sea salt &amp; decent grind black pepper</p> <p>Salad:</p> <p>1 kg jersey benne or other small, new potato</p> <p>8-12 fresh baby beets (can use leaderbrand or even canned)</p> <p>2 bulbs NZ garlic, cut in halve through the waist</p> <p>Splash of olive oil</p> <p>1 teaspoon sea salt &amp; Decent grind of black pepper</p> <p>8-12 small vine-ripened tomatoes</p> <p>2 tablespoons fresh rosemary sprigs</p> <p>A few handfuls of baby spinach or chopped lettuce leaves</p> <p>Handful of green beans, trimmed and blanched</p> <p>½ cup toasted, skinned, hazelnuts</p> <p>One handful mint leaves</p> <p>Dressing:</p> <p>3 tablespoons citrus juice – orange or lemon</p> <p>5 tablespoons good quality olive oil Salt and pepper to season</p> <p>Prep the lamb: This can be prepared 1-2 days ahead. Rub lamb with oil and brown in a pan or on the BBQ, 5-7 minutes. Cool immediately. Cover and chill until ready to cook through.</p> <p>Prep salad: Par-cook washed potatoes in salted water. Scrub fresh beets clean and halve. Toss potatoes, beets and garlic in oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Lay in a single layer on a tray or 2 and roast at 200 C for 35-40 minutes or until cooked through, adding tomatoes and rosemary to the tray in the last 10 minutes.</p> <p>Prep dressing: Shake dressing ingredients together with cooked garlic in a jar.</p> <p>To cook lamb: Heat oven to 220 C. Combine oil, breadcrumbs, mustard, salt &amp; pepper. Pat this onto lamb as a crust.