Rack of Lamb with Coconut-Mint Sauce and Glazed Peas

Preheat the oven to 400°. Set the lamb racks in a medium roasting pan. Season the lamb generously with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 125° for medium-rare, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the coconut milk, mint leaves, ginger, garlic, lime juice, jalapeño and cilantro and puree until smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

In a medium skillet, melt the butter. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the peas and brown sugar, season with salt and pepper and cook until the peas are lightly coated, 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Carve the lamb into chops and serve with the coconut-mint sauce and peas.

The coconut-mint sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Have your butcher french the lamb by scraping the fat and gristle from the bones.

For this impressive rack of lamb, Smith likes to pour his own Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon, which plays nicely off the minty sauce. Happily for Smith, but unfortunately for wine buyers, Hourglass sells out almost instantly upon release; other worthy Cabernet substitutes are available.