COOKING RACK SUBSTITUTE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot, at least 2 minutes. Meanwhile, pat lamb dry and rub meat all over with salt and pepper. Add oil to hot skillet, then brown racks, in 2 batches if necessary, on all sides (not ends), about 10 minutes per batch.
• Transfer racks to a small (13- by 9-inch) roasting pan.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Stir together garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and oil. Coat meaty parts of lamb with herb mixture, pressing to help adhere. Roast 15 minutes, then cover lamb loosely with foil and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally into center of meat registers 120°F, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to 125 to 130°F for medium-rare while lamb stands.)
• Cut each rack into 4 double chops.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450. Put a large frying pan over high heat until very hot. Rub lamb with 1 tablespoon of the oil, season aggressively with salt and pepper and then sear the meat in the pan until it is golden brown all over, approximately 4 minutes a side. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest for 20 or 30 minutes, until cool.
• In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese and parsley. Rub the cooled-off lamb with the remaining olive oil, then pat the seasoned bread crumbs all over the meat in an even layer.
• Put the lamb back on the baking sheet, and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 120 degrees, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. (Tent the lamb with foil if the crust threatens to get too dark at the end.) Remove the lamb from the oven, and allow to stand, covered loosely in foil, for 10 minutes or so. (The internal temperature will rise to 125 degrees, or medium-rare, while the lamb sits.) Carve into chops, and serve on a warmed platter.