Jicama, Kirby and Carrot Salad with Charred Lamb

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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. More Amazing Lamb Recipes

Jicama, Kirby and Carrot Salad with Charred Lamb
Photo: © James Baigrie
Active Time:
50 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs
Yield:
4

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 red or green Thai chiles, minced

  • 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for rubbing

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 2 pounds well-trimmed boneless leg of lamb, cut into 3 equal pieces

  • 3 medium carrots, finely julienned

  • 2 Kirby cucumbers (1/4 pound each), very thinly sliced on a mandoline

  • 10 ounces peeled jicama, cut into 1/3-inch dice (2 cups)

  • 1 cup mung bean sprouts

  • 1/4 cup small mint leaves

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • 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.

Suggested Pairing

People often think of pairing Cabernet with lamb, but Shiraz also makes a great match, especially the spicy ones typically produced in Australia's Margaret River region.

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