Whole and butterflied leg of lamb are familiar cuts, but steaks cut from the leg are much less common. They're worth trying, especially because they're easy and they cook so quickly. Here, the steaks are basted with a flavorful herb-infused butter, then served with fries as a clever variation on steak frites.
Ingredients
- 2 1 1/4-pound lamb leg steaks, cut about 1 1/4 inches thick
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground fennel seeds
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 4 small thyme sprigs
- 2 garlic cloves
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- French fries, for serving
Directions
- Rub the lamb with the cumin and fennel; season with salt and pepper. In a cast-iron skillet, heat the oil until smoking. Add the lamb and cook over high heat, turning once, until browned. Reduce the heat to moderate. Add the thyme, garlic and 4 tablespoons of the butter and cook for 5 minutes, basting the lamb with the butter. Turn the steaks and cook, basting, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 130°, 5 minutes; transfer to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Thickly slice against the grain.
- Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. Cook the shallot over moderately high heat until softened. Add the wine and simmer until syrupy. Add the stock and simmer until slightly reduced, 3 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the lamb and French fries.
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Recipe Credit: Tony Maws
Image Credit: John Kernick
