SV Rack of lamb, red wine reduction, with grilled romaine... best egged meal yet.

caliking · January 2014

I'm usually more humble, but I truly knocked this one out of the park.

Rack of lamb from Costco. Trimmed some of the hard fat, hit it with DP Cowlick, then in the sous vide for 24 hours at 132°F. Fired up the mini the next day and made the sauce while it was coming to temp - EVOO, onions garlic, thyme, chives, beef broth, jus from the lamb, red wine, butter. Simmered until syrupy, then strained all the solids out.

Seared the rack a minute per side. I cut the rack in 2 halves, so I could sear SWMBO's half longer.

Grilled baby romaine - drizzled white truffle oil, and balsamic on the cut sides then dusted on some DP Pineapple Head. Grilled for about 2 mins after the lamb was done and resting.

My mediocre photography skills did not do this meal justice.

First bite of the lamb was a full-blown foodgasm. I can honestly say I have never had lamb this tender before. The red wine reduction was a perfect complement to the lamb. Could possibly be even better with a balsamic reduction. I have been wanting to try grilled romaine for a long time, and I'm glad I finally did - it was amazing for something as boring as lettuce! SWMBO agreed that the sous vide gizmo was a good purchase

bclarksicle · January 2014

*slow clap*

That looks outstanding

Griffin · January 2014

The student has become the master!! That looks fantabulous!!

RAC · January 2014

Look's awesome! ^:)^

henapple · January 2014

Wow...@Griffin is right.

SmokeyPitt · January 2014

That is a home run for sure. I had a minor foodgasm just looking at it!

I also got a sous vide under the tree so I will be trying this one out.

caliking · January 2014

Thanks, fellas. I'm liking the sous vide - its kind of a fancy crockpot, but actually helps meal planning. The original plan was to set up the sous vide on Sat and hot tub the lamb for 48 hrs until Monday, then a quick sear, and a gourmet restaurant-quality meal is ready in very little time. I just need to work on the logistics of my sous vide operation a bit. I might try something like setting up 2 proteins on the weekend so we can pull them out for weeknight cooks... 24 hr chicken breasts, 48 hr lamb, 72 short ribs, etc.

Little Steven · January 2014

Cali, Your numbers seem long from what I have read and done. Where are you getting them? Everything I've done for a long period has been mushy unless it was really tough to begin with. I have an eye of the round in for 48 hours now but wouldn't go 24 on chicken breasts. Curious here?

Photo Egg · January 2014

That really looks great...We did Hanger Steak SV a couple weeks ago. Just put a package of mushroom soup mix on the frozen hanger and resealed it. Only did about 8-9 hours at 160. Turned out real nice. Next time I will go at least 24 hours.

Did a couple ribeye steaks but the fat was nasty tasting after SV and a sear.

Seems like we have had much better luck with leaner cuts.

ringkingpin · January 2014

I do my rack of lamb for 2 hrs sous vide then finish them off.

caliking · January 2014

Little Steven said:

Cali, Your numbers seem long from what I have read and done. Where are you getting them? Everything I've done for a long period has been mushy unless it was really tough to begin with. I have an eye of the round in for 48 hours now but wouldn't go 24 on chicken breasts. Curious here?

The numbers sound off because I made them up. Remember - you're dealing with a sous vide n00b here.

Maybe I won't go 24hrs on the chicken breasts then. Scrap that plan. Trying to learn the SV ropes, so things are still experimental. Would rack of lamb be good after 48hrs? It was terrific after 24hrs.

A question for ya - is it okay to sous vide 2-3 racks of lamb stacked on top of each other in something like the Sous Vide Supreme Demi?

Photo Egg said:

Did a couple ribeye steaks but the fat was nasty tasting after SV and a sear.
Seems like we have had much better luck with leaner cuts.

How long did you sous vide the ribeyes for? I did some recently, but due to time constraint and too much sh!t going on, only had them in the sous vide for 5 hours. They were edge to edge med-rare, but I felt that they could have been even better with a longer bath.

There was a fair bit of fat on the rack of lamb, towards the frenched bone side. It was tasty - nice fatty flavor, but rich, which is why I think a balsamic reduction would be great with this.

Little Steven · January 2014

caliking said:

Little Steven said:

Cali, Your numbers seem long from what I have read and done. Where are you getting them? Everything I've done for a long period has been mushy unless it was really tough to begin with. I have an eye of the round in for 48 hours now but wouldn't go 24 on chicken breasts. Curious here?
The numbers sound off because I made them up. Remember - you're dealing with a sous vide n00b here.

Maybe I won't go 24hrs on the chicken breasts then. Scrap that plan. Trying to learn the SV ropes, so things are still experimental. Would rack of lamb be good after 48hrs? It was terrific after 24hrs.

A question for ya - is it okay to sous vide 2-3 racks of lamb stacked on top of each other in something like the Sous Vide Supreme Demi?

Photo Egg said:

Did a couple ribeye steaks but the fat was nasty tasting after SV and a sear.

Seems like we have had much better luck with leaner cuts.
How long did you sous vide the ribeyes for? I did some recently, but due to time constraint and too much sh!t going on, only had them in the sous vide for 5 hours. They were edge to edge med-rare, but I felt that they could have been even better with a longer bath.

There was a fair bit of fat on the rack of lamb, towards the frenched bone side. It was tasty - nice fatty flavor, but rich, which is why I think a balsamic reduction would be great with this.

You mean in one bag? I put two in one bag with the bones stacked side by side. There is a certain thickness you are supposed to stay under, I think it's 3 1/4". I would post a link but I can't. Google polyscience sous vide cooking chart. Everything I see from sous vide supreme has a lot of arithmetic. I do chicken breasts for an hour or so, don't worry if you go to two. Rack of lamb up to 4 hours. The polyscince chart gives you min and max times for tough and tender cuts. I have been going too long on some stuff and it breaks down too much. Semi tough beef is the worst, sirloin round and chuck. Lamb shanks I would go 24 hours or more.

caliking · January 2014

I meant stacked as in two separate bags on top of each other, maybe with spacers in between to allow water in between the bags?

I have that Polyscience chart saved for ready reference, but it seems that folks are often doing long extended SV cooks here, so I was just wondering.

Little Steven · January 2014

Yeah, I did a eye of round and rib roast last night in the same bath. I'm not sure of the mechanics of the demi but I've seen baldwin do multiple items in the same cook. As far as the cooking times go I am a newb too. I just know that the long cooks I've done with beef have produced stew instead of the sliceable stuff I was looking for. That said I'm doubling the time on the eye of the round cause it wasn't tender enough after 24 hours last time. I have a lot of lamb racks in the freezer from a half price sale so I may try a longer go when I get back from holidays.

cazzy · January 2014

Looks amazing cali! Great job!

TarHeelBBQ · January 2014

Wow

Canugghead · January 2014

@caliking ...

WOW! Now you made me really cursing myself... I defrosted a nice boneless NZ leg of lamb couple of days ago, seasoned it, researched the time/temp (varies all over the map in the interweb) to the nth degree and was all set on SV it @133 for 24 hours. Unfortunately I changed my plan and ended up cooking it in the kitchen box and now I see your post >:P

Well, live and learn, still have two more lamb roasts in the freezer.

Little Steven said:

Cali, Your numbers seem long from what I have read and done. Where are you getting them? Everything I've done for a long period has been mushy unless it was really tough to begin with. I have an eye of the round in for 48 hours now but wouldn't go 24 on chicken breasts. Curious here?

LS, you call that long? If you look at page 228 of Modernist Cuisine at home (yes, my Christmas present too!), it recommends at least 144F for 48 hours for lamb shoulder and shank. I'm still confused with this SV time/temp thing, it's like the wild west!

Little Steven · January 2014

Canugghead said:

@caliking ...
WOW! Now you made me really cursing myself... I defrosted a nice boneless NZ leg of lamb couple of days ago, seasoned it, researched the time/temp (varies all over the map in the interweb) to the nth degree and was all set on SV it @133 for 24 hours. Unfortunately I changed my plan and ended up cooking it in the kitchen box and now I see your post >:P

Well, live and learn, still have two more lamb roasts in the freezer.

Little Steven said:

Cali, Your numbers seem long from what I have read and done. Where are you getting them? Everything I've done for a long period has been mushy unless it was really tough to begin with. I have an eye of the round in for 48 hours now but wouldn't go 24 on chicken breasts. Curious here?
LS, you call that long? If you look at page 228 of Modernist Cuisine at home (yes, my Christmas present too!), it recommends at least 144F for 48 hours for lamb shoulder and shank. I'm still confused with this SV time/temp thing, it's like the wild west!

Exactly. What dies it say for rack/tenderloin?

caliking · January 2014

@Canugghead - the times in the Sous Vide Supreme and Polyscience reference charts seem short to me, which is why I wanted to do a few long cooks and see what happens.

Do you like the Modernist Cuisine book's SV recipes? I may buy it if it sounds useful.

And envy goes both ways - I didn't even post my salmon cook from the weekend after seeing your ghee-basted salmon thread

paqman · January 2014

I like!

Canugghead · January 2014

Little Steven said:
Exactly. What dies it say for rack/tenderloin?

Good question, page 228 talks about water temp and time for tough cut of meat.

Whereas page 192 covers tender cuts (like rib eye and pork tenderloin, etc), suggests meat IT 133F for medium rare, no mention of water temp/time. Several recipes show use of regular zip lock bag with thermometer inserted into the meat. Now I'm more confused!

Canugghead · January 2014

@caliking, haven't tried any recipes from the book yet. It sure is interesting, the photography is amazing, definitely great for coffee table if nothing else! Still not so sure about some SV time/temp in it, e.g. lamb at 144F for 48 hours, won't it turn to mush? few other random observations ... many recipes/methods on pressure cooking; beef jerky made in microwave; tuna confit with olive oil packed in mason jar then SV; vacuum pickled vegetables; chicken slow baked in oven at 170F...

Nature Boy · January 2014

Wow! The good heavy browning at the end for flavor, and perfectly cooked inside from sous vide. Cool as hell. Thanks for sharing, and for including Dizzy.

I'm inspired.

Happy cookin!

Chris

ringkingpin · January 2014

Lamb shoulder and shanks are 3rd category cuts. Rack of lamb is a primary cut that requires a LOT less time. Just sayin'

In the "real world" outside of sous vide, lol you need to cook shoulder or shank for a long time, bbq or braise or whatever. A rack or a chop you cook like a "steak."

ringkingpin · January 2014

When I took a sous vide course at Le Notre about 14 years ago, we did a recipe where you get red wine, reduce by half, get some onions and carmelize the heck outta them, mix the two, put in a bag with a seasoned beef shoulder. There is a huge piece of fat in the middle of the shoulder that turns to goodness.

I apply that technique to all sorts of 2nd and 3rd cuts with great success. I find for most meats, it's nice to have them cook in "something" rather than just seasoned.

caliking · January 2014

@Canugghead - well... a belated Hanukkah gift to myself may just be in order then. I have 3 pressure cookers, so that aspect may be interesting, although from the perspective of Indian cooking there isn't much "modernist" about it

I think I'll add it to my next Amazon buy. SV at 144°F does sound a bit high, since its past medium rare? I guess experimentation will tell.

Nature Boy said:

Wow! The good heavy browning at the end for flavor, and perfectly cooked inside from sous vide. Cool as hell. Thanks for sharing, and for including Dizzy.

I'm inspired.
Happy cookin!
Chris

The sauce was unreal. Sauces are a new thing for me, and this one was my best effort yet. As for the DP rubs, I've been trying them this past year, and have really liked them. Just got the Pineapple Head recently, and it was fabulous on the grilled romaine.

R2Egg2Q · January 2014

I love rack of lamb and that looks great!! Gotta get a sous vide one of these days.

ringkingpin · January 2014

caliking said:

@Canugghead - well... a belated Hanukkah gift to myself may just be in order then. I have 3 pressure cookers, so that aspect may be interesting, although from the perspective of Indian cooking there isn't much "modernist" about it I think I'll add it to my next Amazon buy. SV at 144°F does sound a bit high, since its past medium rare? I guess experimentation will tell.

144 for shoulder which isn't a primary meat cut. What temp do you cook pork shoulder to?

caliking · January 2014

@ringkingpin - I'll try adding the red wine reduction to the bag prior to SV next time. Thanks for the tip.

Little Steven · January 2014

Cali, @rinkingpin is referring to is second and third quality cuts. I wouldn't put an acid in with a rack or any tender cut

caliking · January 2014

LS - duly noted. Maybe I'll try the reduction with a lamb shank or beef short ribs.

SV Rack of lamb, red wine reduction, with grilled romaine... best egged meal yet.

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