Wide Awake Rack of Lamb with Coffee Pomegranate Cream Sauce

Coffee Rub for Rack of Lamb

• 1 rack of lamb (7-8 chops, about 1+ pound), trimmed, frenched, and fat cap removed. Bring to room temperature before cooking
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large clove of garlic, smashed
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, I use Ghirardelli
• 1 teaspoon instant Espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 2 teaspoons Grapeseed or canola oil - need an oil with a high smoking temp. Don't use olive oil.

Coffee Pomegranate Cream Sauce

• 1 cup freshly brewed French Roast coffee
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Pomegranate Molasses
• 1 tablespoon Bourbon
• 2 tablespoons Fresh orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

1. Heat the oven to 400' and use a skillet with an oven proof handle. If you're not using a non stick skillet, you may want to use a TBL of oil instead of 2 tsp.
2. Mash the garlic, salt and sugar into a paste in a mortar and pestle. Add the cocoa, espresso, and orange zest, and create a thick paste. If the paste is too dry, add a drop or two of vegetable oil.
3. Rub the lamb with the coffee/cocoa paste all over, pressing it into the rack of lamb.
4. Place the rack upright in the skillet with the rib side down, and place into the oven to roast until it reaches an internal temp of 140-145' for medium rare - about 20-25 minutes.
5. When the lamb is done, remove it from the skillet to a plate or carving board to rest at least 10-15 minutes, while you make the sauce.
6. In the lamb skillet, over medium heat, deglaze the skillet with the coffee, stirring up any roasted bits.
7. Add the brown sugar, molasses, bourbon, orange juice and zest. Stir well to dissolve and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat and reduce the sauce to 1/2 its volume at a gentle simmer.
9. Once the coffee syrup has reduced, add the salt, pepper, cream and any accumulated juices from the resting lamb, adjust seasonings as needed. Let simmer for another 3-5 minutes or so until slightly thickened.
10. Slice lamb and pour sauce over. Scattered pomegranate seeds on top gives some nice crunch.