This post is sponsored by the American Lamb Board. A crown roast is impressive and delicious. It’s much simpler than you might think. Here is a simple, mouthwatering recipe for a crown roast to wow your friends and family. It’s absolutely wonderful! Make sure you are supporting American farmers when buying lamb this holiday season!
Rosemary & Lemon Crown Roast of Lamb with Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Tender Greens with Lemon Vinaigrette
Roast time 60-75 minutes
Serves 6-8
The Lamb
2 8-bone racks of American lamb (French cut)
3 feet butchers twine
Salt and pepper to taste
3-4 sprigs rosemary
1 lemon, sliced
1 small shallot, diced
Lemon Vinaigrette
2-3 lemons, juiced
1 shallot, finely diced
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
3/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Spicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
4 medium to large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into large chunks
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon paprika
Healthy pinch of chili flakes
Kosher salt for taste
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Tender Greens
3-4 cups butter lettuce
2-3 cups arugula
1/2 cup shaved or shredded Parmesan
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (400, if using convection). Lay the racks on a cutting board with the bones pointing toward you, positioned so that it looks like one continuous rack. Face the fat cap UP. Where the two racks meet, tie the center bones together using one end of the twine. Now stand the racks up, bones pointing upward. Form the racks into a circle and string the butchers twine across the center of the circle to tie the opposite two bones together. Wrap the remaining length of twine, without cutting it, around the eye of the lamb meat 3 times, tightly. Now, the two racks should resemble a crown. Place the crown into a cast iron pan. Season the roast generously with kosher salt and pepper. Add the rosemary, sliced lemon, and shallots to the pan.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette. Using 1/4 of the dressing, bathe the lamb. Place the pan into your hot oven 60-75 minutes. You’ll roast the lamb until the internal temp reaches 145 degrees F.
While the lamb roasts, bring the sweet potatoes and 2-3 quarts of salted water to a boil. Boil until tender, roughly 30 minutes. In a saucepan, melt the butter and roast the spices in it. Add the cooked sweet potatoes, cream, and Parmesan, then smash the potatoes.
Once the lamb is cooked to your desired temperature, remove from the oven to rest 5-10 minutes. Arrange the salad greens on a platter and dress with the vinaigrette. To serve the lamb, cut the butchers twine off the roast and slice the roast into chops. Serve with the salad and spicy sweet potatoes. Use the leftover vinaigrette as a dipping sauce.
