RECIPE

Jicama, Kirby and Carrot Salad with Charred Lamb

  • ACTIVE: 50 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 4

Because Jean-Georges Vongerichten is constantly opening new restaurants, it's easy to forget his break-out place: Vong, in Manhattan. This smoky lamb salad dates from Vong's 1992 opening. With crunchy carrots, cucumbers and bean sprouts and a spiced vinegar dressing, it is one of the dishes that launched the Asian-fusion trend in America.

  • ACTIVE: 50 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • STAFF-FAVORITE

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
    2. 2 teaspoons sugar
    3. 2 garlic cloves, minced
    4. 2 red or green Thai chiles, minced
    5. 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
    6. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for rubbing
    7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
    8. 2 pounds well-trimmed boneless leg of lamb, cut into 3 equal pieces
    9. 3 medium carrots, finely julienned
    10. 2 Kirby cucumbers (1/4 pound each), very thinly sliced on a mandoline
    11. 10 ounces peeled jicama, cut into 1/3-inch dice (2 cups)
    12. 1 cup mung bean sprouts
    13. 1/4 cup small mint leaves
    14. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
    15. 2 stalks of fresh lemongrass, tender inner bulbs only, thinly sliced crosswise (2 tablespoons)

Directions

  1. Light a grill. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar with the sugar, garlic and chiles and bring to a boil. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. Stir in the fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of oil and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Rub the lamb all over with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over a medium-hot fire, turning, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until nicely charred and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 135° for medium-rare meat. Transfer the lamb to a carving board to rest for 10 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with the cucumbers, jicama, bean sprouts, mint, cilantro and lemongrass. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the salad to a platter. Thinly slice the lamb. Arrange overlapping slices on the salad and serve.