Ingredients

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste*
¾ teaspoon crushed pink peppercorns or multicolored peppercorn blend
½ teaspoon Very Vanilla Salt (recipe on page 61) or sea salt
1 (8-ounce) frenched rack of lamb
½ cup butter, cut into small pieces and divided
1 small shallot, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1½ cups chardonnay or other dry white wine
2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine thyme, vanilla bean paste, crushed peppercorns, and salt. Rub mixture over lamb, and refrigerate, tightly covered, for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350° to 400°). Grill lamb 7 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness.
3. In a large skillet, melt 2 teaspoons butter over medium-high heat. Add shallot, and cook until shallot just begins to brown. Add wine, and scrape seeds from vanilla beans into pan; cook until liquid is reduced to ¼ cup. Remove pan from heat, and whisk in remaining butter, one piece at a time, until butter is fully incorporated and sauce has thickened. Strain sauce through a fine mesh sieve, and serve immediately with lamb.
* We tested with Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste.

Recipe Courtesy of Cooking with Paula Deen magazine