Smoked Grilled New Zealand Lamb Lollipops
In my barbecue classes, I often serve amuse-bouche snacks which include single-bite appetizers to showcase the versatility of the barbecue seasonings we make from scratch. Whether it’s SYD rub sprinkled onto grilled watermelon or added to freshly popped popcorn, a well-designed barbecue rub should explode like a symphony of flavors in your mouth and be useful on just about anything.
This week’s recipe is my super popular smoked and grilled New Zealand lamb lollipops which my students drool over. That’s often the first dish they want to make as soon as they get home as their homework assignment. I use New Zealand lamb because it is super tender, flavorful, and has only a very slight lamb gaminess (think goat or mutton aromas). It’s my experience that the ones from Australia and California, while also excellent, are a tad gamy for the lamb beginners. In fact, students who don’t like lamb often become converts after tasting this version. Give it a go and “amuse” your guests at your next party!
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup canola or olive oil
- 2 racks for New Zealand Lamb Ribs, frenched, about 2.5 lbs, from Sams Club
- 2 Tablespoons SYD All Purpose Rub
Instructions
- Use food processor to finely chop fresh rosemary garlic
- Add the oil to the food processor so the garlic and rosemary becomes a slurry
- Spread slurry over your New Zealand lamb.
- Place in gallon zip bag overnight.
- Remove from fridge and sprinkle medium coat of SYD rub
- Set up pit with hot zone and cool zone. Smoke indirect in cool zone until internal is 110F.
- Move to hot part of grill and char to get grill marks
- Remove when internal temperature is medium-rare, about 125-130F (remember the temp will continue to rise about 5 more degrees after you remove)
- Rest 5 mins before cutting into individual rib bones.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American