Ingredients

  • 1 rack of lamb, split, chinned, and Frenched
  • 1/4 cup dried lavender
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh thyme
  • 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 2 pieces star anise
  • 4 to 6 cardamom pods
  • Pinch of whole black peppercorns
  • 1 cup Come Una Volta brand polenta
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone
  • 4 tablespoons Parmesan
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • Nutmeg
  • 1/4 pound morels
  • 1/2 pound hen of the woods
  • 1/4 pound chanterelles
  • 4 shallots, minced
  • 1/4 pure vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Method

  • For the marinade: In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade.
  • Cut each 1/2 rack into 9 chops, yielding 18 chops (3 chops per person).
  • Rub chops with the marinade.
  • Let marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.
  • Heat a saute pan and pour oil into the pan when it is hot.
  • Saute the lamb chops.
  • For the Hibiscus Glaze: In a non-reactive saucepan combine all ingredients.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 1/2 hour.
  • Strain.
  • Return liquid to a simmer and reduce until syrupy consistency.
  • For the Soft Polenta: Bring water and salt to a boil.
  • Whisk in the polenta.
  • Heat to a very low simmer and cook for 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the cheeses, butter, and nutmeg and season as needed with salt and pepper.
  • Take the polenta off the heat, wrap well with plastic wrap, and store it in a warm place.
  • The polenta will hold its heat for quite a while.
  • For the Sauteed Mushrooms: Clean the mushrooms as needed.
  • Some can be brushed off, while others may have to be quickly rinsed in water and well drained.
  • Never soak mushrooms, as they will absorb too much water and become soggy when cooked.
  • Cook each variety of mushroom individually because they all cook at different rates.
  • Heat a saute pan 2 for minutes over a medium flame.
  • When it is hot, add 1/3 of the vegetable oil.
  • Add the mushrooms and saute until they begin to brown.
  • Add 1/3 of the shallots and 1/3 of the butter.
  • Keep the mushrooms moving in the pan until they are just tender.
  • Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Repeat process for the other mushroom varieties.