Roast Lamb Loin With Apples

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (2 lb) boneless center cut lamb loin, trimmed and tied
• kosher salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 medium onion, thickly sliced
• 2 carrots, thickly sliced
• 2 stalks celery, thickly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 2 cortland apples, cored and cut into 8 slices each or 2 rome apples, peeled cored and cut into 8 slices each
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 400°f.
• 2 in a large ovenproof skillet heat the vegetable oil over high heat. season the lamb loin all over generously with salt and pepper. sear the meat until golden brown on all sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. transfer the meat to a plate and set it aside.
• 3 add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, herb sprigs, and 2 tablespoons of the butter to the skillet. stir until the vegetables are browned, about 8 minutes. stir in the sliced apples, then push the mixture to the sides and set the lamb loin in the middle of the skillet along with any collected juiced on the plate. transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the loin until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 140°f to 150°f, about 30 to 35 minutes. (see cook's note.).
• 4 transfer the lamb to a cutting board and cover it loosely with foil while you make the sauce. arrange the apples and vegetables on a serving platter and set aside. remove and discard the herb sprigs. return the skillet to a high heat and add the vinegar scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen up any browned bits. reduce by half then add the cider and reduce by about half again. pull the skillet from the heat and whisk in the mustard, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter. adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
• 5 remove the strings from the roast and slice into 1/2-inch thick pieces and arrange over the apple mixture. drizzle some sauce over meat and serve the rest on the side.
• 6 cook's note: lamb cooked this way will be slightly pink. if desired, cook the lamb to 160°f, but be aware that this lean cut will not be as moist at the higher temperature.