How To Make Lamb Carpaccio | Tasting Table Recipe
We've got no beef with this Italian appetizer
We love carpaccio, the classic Italian dish made with sirloin beef pounded so paper-thin that it practically melts in your mouth. Laced with shavings of Parmesan, peppery arugula and a squeeze of lemon, it's an ideal first course-both rich and bracing.
Advertisement
We decided to give the dish a little makeover, going with lamb instead of beef. The grassiness and slightly gamey flavor of the meat pairs well with shallots, buttery lucques olives, jammy figs, a few herbs and a heavy dose of lemon zest.
To learn more, read "Thin Is In."
Recipe from the Tasting Table Test Kitchen
Lamb Carpaccio with Figs, Green Olives and Mint
Learn to make lamb carpaccio for the perfect appetizer.
Prep Time
40
minutes
Cook Time
0
minutes
servings
6
servings
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- :::For the Sauce: :::
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- Juice from ½ a lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 1 tablespoon water
- Salt, to taste
- For the Carpaccio
- 1½ pounds lamb top round, trimmed of all fat, sinew and gristle, and cut into ¼-inch slices, chilled
- 1 small shallot, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup finely chopped green olives, preferably lucques olives
- 6 figs, halved and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup loosely packed tarragon leaves
- ¼ cup loosely packed mint leaves, thinly sliced
- Zest from 1 lemon
- Pinch of Marash pepper or cayenne pepper
- Fleur de sel
Optional Ingredients
- 1 whole salt-packed anchovy, soaked, drained and filleted in half (optional)
Directions
- Make the sauce: Add the egg yolk to a blender. With the motor running on high speed, begin adding the oil a few drops at a time. Once the mixture begins to thicken, add the rest of the oil in a slow stream. Add the anchovy, lemon juice, mustard and capers and continue to process until you have a smooth sauce. Transfer to a small bowl and whisk in the water. Season with salt. Set aside until ready to use. Note: The aioli can be made the day before; cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Make the carpaccio: Place one piece of lamb in between two pieces of parchment paper. Using the flat side of a mallet or a small heavy bottomed pot, gently pound the meat into ⅛-inch thickness. Remove the top parchment paper and invert the lamb onto a chilled plate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- To serve, arrange the meat in a single layer around the plate, then drizzle some of the sauce over each piece. Top with the shallots, green olives, figs, tarragon, mint and lemon zest. Sprinkle with pepper and fleur de sel and drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately.