Recipes Nugget Markets Signature Recipes
Roasted Lamb Loin with Creamy Polenta & Watercress Puree
- Prep time
- 20 minutes PT20M
- Cook time
- 45 minutes PT45M
- Yield
- 4–6 servings
- Difficulty
For a truly tasty trifecta, complement roasted lamb loin with rich, creamy polenta and the fresh bite of watercress and garlic puree.
Ingredients
Creamy Polenta:
- 3 cups whole milk3 cups whole milk 3 cups whole milk
- 3 cups water3 cups water 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper¼ teaspoon white pepper ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 cup polenta1 cup polenta 1 cup polenta
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Watercress & Garlic Puree:
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 16 cloves garlic16 cloves garlic 16 cloves garlic
- 8 ounces watercress8 ounces watercress 8 ounces watercress
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper½ teaspoon cracked black pepper ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 ounces olive oil4 ounces olive oil 4 ounces olive oil
Lamb Loin:
- 2 boneless lamb loins2 boneless lamb loins 2 boneless lamb loins
- 2 cloves garlic, minced2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons coarse-ground coriander2 tablespoons coarse-ground coriander 2 tablespoons coarse-ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon coarse-ground fennel seeds1 tablespoon coarse-ground fennel seeds 1 tablespoon coarse-ground fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper1 tablespoon cracked black pepper 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- 1 pint beef stock1 pint beef stock 1 pint beef stock
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ bunch chives, chopped fine, for garnish½ bunch chives, chopped fine, for garnish ½ bunch chives, chopped fine, for garnish
- 1 bunch watercress, for garnish1 bunch watercress, for garnish 1 bunch watercress, for garnish
Preparation
To make the polenta, bring milk, water, salt, and white pepper to a rolling boil. While continuously whisking, add polenta and whisk vigorously on high heat until it begins to thicken. When the polenta starts to stick to the bottom of the pot, reduce heat to very low and cover. Cook for 35–45 minutes, stirring every 5–10 minutes, until polenta is tender and no longer grainy. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and butter, then reserve warm.
For the watercress puree, bring 2 quarts water and ½ teaspoon salt to a boil. Add garlic, return to a boil, and cook for 30 seconds. Strain garlic and repeat the process 5–6 times, or until the garlic is soft.
In a separate pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add watercress, cook for 30 seconds, then shock in an ice bath. When cold, drain the watercress and squeeze out any excess water. Place watercress, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a blender and puree on high. Slowly add olive oil to emulsify and puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Trim all fat and silver skin off lamb loins, then rub with minced garlic and season with coriander, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper.
Sear lamb on all sides in an oven-safe sauté pan. When lamb is well-browned, place sauté pan in the oven and roast for approximately 8 minutes, or until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 125°F for medium-rare. Remove lamb from the pan and allow to rest in a warm place for 5–8 minutes before slicing into 1½-inch medallions.
Deglaze pan with beef stock and cook for 15–20 minutes, until it's reduced by ¾. Whisk in remaining butter to finish the sauce.
To plate, spoon watercress puree on one half of the plate and polenta on the other half. Top with lamb medallions, then spoon sauce around the outside and garnish with watercress and chopped chives.


