Spinach Salad with Lamb and Basil Recipe

Spinach Salad with Lamb and Basil Recipe

  • a 1 1/2-pound boneless lamb loin
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 3 red bell peppers,roasted and peeled
  • 2 tablespoons aged red-wine vinegar
  • 10 ounces soft mild goat cheese
  • 1 bunch spinach (about 6 cups packed)
  1. Trim and tie lamb. Season lamb with salt and pepper and in a sealable plastic bag combine lamb, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1 tablespoon basil, turning lamb to coat evenly. Marinate lamb, covered and chilled, 4 hours.
  2. Cut roasted peppers into thin 2-inch long strips and in a bowl combine with vinegar and 2 tablespoons oil. Chill peppers, covered, until assembling salad.
  3. In another bowl coarsely crumble goat cheese and gently stir together with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon basil. Chill goat cheese, covered, until assembling salad.
  4. In a blender blend remaining 1/4 cup oil, remaining tablespoon basil, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Transfer basil oil to a small bowl. Chill basil oil, covered, while preparing lamb. Bring basil oil to room temperature before assembling salad.
  5. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  6. Heat an ovenproof heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately high heat until hot and brown lamb on all sides. Put skillet in middle of oven and roast lamb about 10 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 140°F. for medium-rare. Cool lamb. Chill lamb, covered, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Cut lamb into thin slices.
  7. Discard coarse stems from spinach and arrange leaves around edges of 4 large plates. Scatter come peppers evenly over spinach and mound some goat cheese in center of each plate. Arrange lamb slices around goat cheese and drizzle salads with basil oil.