Roast Rack of Lamb

Ingredients

For the coating:

• ¾ cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• ¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs (from 3 slices of bread, crusts removed)
• ½ cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus whole sprigs for garnish
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon coarse salt

For the lamb:

• 1 eight-rib frenched rack of lamb (1½ to 1¾ pounds), chine bone removed (for easier carving)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon plain Greek-style yogurt
• Mint jelly, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. 2
   Let lamb rest at room temperature 1 hour, covered with plastic wrap. Place parsley, breadcrumbs, mint leaves, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary; set aside.
3. 3
   Trim all but ¼ inch fat from lamb, then pat dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper. Heat a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat until hot, then add enough oil to just coat the bottom of the pan and heat until shimmering. Place lamb in pan fat side down, and sear until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove lamb from pan and let cool 10 minutes. Pour off excess fat from pan.
4. 4
   Use an offset spatula to spread yogurt evenly over browned (fat) side only, then top with breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently with your fingertips to adhere. Return to pan, coated side up. Roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare) when inserted through the eye (or midpoint of one side) of the rack, 18 to 24 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes to allow temperature to rise and juices to redistribute.
5. 5
   Slice rack between bones and serve, with mint jelly if desired, and garnished with mint sprigs.