# Charcoal-Crusted Garlic and Rosemary Rack of Lamb
*A primal, high-heat roast with a pungent herb crust and a butter-tender center.*

## Headnote
There is something deeply satisfying about a rack of lamb that hasn't been fussed over with breadcrumbs or delicate jellies. This is a recipe for the true carnivore: bone-in, fat-capped, and hit with enough heat to create a dark, salty crust that contrasts against the ruby-red interior. I first made this on a sweltering July evening when I didn't want to spend an hour over a stove; the prep is minimal, but the payoff is intense.

The secret to this dish isn't the oven—it’s the rest. Lamb is a dense muscle, and if you carve it the second it hits the cutting board, you’ll lose the very juices that make it succulent. The flavor profile here is aggressive, using an amount of garlic that might seem alarming, but under the heat of a roar, it mellows into a nutty, savory paste that clings to the ribs.

**Rule of thumb:** Always ask your butcher to "french" the rack (scrape the fat and gristle off the bone ends). It ensures the bones char beautifully without creating a greasy smoke screen in your kitchen.

**Prep time:** 15 min (plus 30 min tempering)
**Cook time:** 20–25 min
**Total time:** 1 hour 10 min
**Yield:** 2–4 servings
**Difficulty:** Medium

## Ingredients
* 2 racks of lamb (8 ribs each, about 1.5–2 lbs total), frenched
* 1 tbsp heavy coarse sea salt
* 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
* 6 cloves garlic, pushed through a press or finely minced into a paste
* 3 tbsp fresh rosemary, needles stripped and chopped until they resemble coarse sand
* 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes (optional)

## Method
1. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature for even roasting.
2. Heat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and position the rack in the center.
3. Pat the lamb racks completely dry with paper towels until the surface feels tacky; moisture is the enemy of a good crust.
4. Score the fat cap by making shallow, diagonal cuts in a diamond pattern, being careful not to nick the meat itself.
5. Combine the garlic paste, chopped rosemary, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl to form a thick, gritty herb paste.
6. Rub the paste vigorously over the meat and the scored fat caps, ensuring the mixture gets into the shallow slits.
7. Wrap the exposed bone ends in small strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from snapping or turning ash-grey during the high-heat roast.
8. Place the racks in a heavy roasting pan or a large cast-iron skillet, fat-side up, with the bones interlocking in the center.
9. Roast for 12 minutes, then check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the rack.
10. Continue roasting until the thermometer reads 125°F (52°C) for rare or 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare; the meat should feel springy but firm to the touch.
11. Transfer the racks to a warmed cutting board and tent very loosely with foil.
12. Rest the meat for at least 10–12 minutes; the internal temperature will carry up about 5 degrees during this time.
13. Slice between the ribs with a sharp carving knife and serve immediately while the fat is still sizzling.

## Variations
**Cumin and Smoked Paprika Rub**: For a more "earthy" profile, replace the rosemary with 1 tbsp ground cumin and 1 tbsp smoked Spanish paprika.
**Cast-Iron Sear**: If you prefer a darker crust, sear the fat cap in a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet for 2 minutes before transferring the whole pan into the oven.
**Herb Swap**: Replace the rosemary with fresh thyme and a teaspoon of lemon zest for a brighter, more floral finish that cuts through the richness of the fat.

## Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat without overcooking, slice the individual chops and sear them quickly in a hot pan for 60 seconds per side until the fat just begins to render; avoid the microwave, as it will turn the tender lamb rubbery.

## Pairing Suggestion
Serve alongside a bowl of coarse sea salt and a sharp, peppery arugula salad if you must have greens—otherwise, it stands perfectly alone.