Icelandic Smoked Lamb Ribs with Skyr-Dill Sauce
Tender, smoky lamb ribs, a staple of Icelandic cuisine, are complemented by a refreshing and tangy skyr-based sauce infused with fresh dill. This dish offers a unique blend of rich, savory flavors with a bright, herbaceous finish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Lamb ribs
- 2 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 250 g Skyr
- 0.5 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
- 2
In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This will be your rub.
- 3
Pat the lamb ribs dry with paper towels. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the ribs.
- 4
Place the seasoned lamb ribs on a baking sheet. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- 5
Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the lamb is tender and almost falling off the bone.
- 6
While the ribs are baking, prepare the skyr-dill sauce. In a medium bowl, combine skyr, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
- 7
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
- 8
Once the ribs are cooked, remove them from the oven. If desired, you can increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F) for the last 10-15 minutes, uncovered, to crisp them up slightly.
- 9
Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with the skyr-dill sauce on the side.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an extra smoky flavor, you can add a pinch of liquid smoke to the rub.
- ✓Ensure the ribs are completely covered with foil during the initial baking to keep them moist.
- ✓The skyr-dill sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the rub for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate finely chopped chives into the skyr sauce for added flavor.
- Serve with roasted root vegetables or a simple green salad.