Marinated Crusted Well-Dressed Rack of Lamb and Faux Cheesy Shell Pasta

What do you call a duck that just doesn't fit in?
Mallardjusted.

 As you probably can tell, this isn't duck.  It is delicious, delectable  mouth-watering lamb....which I am totally and utterly currently obsessed with.  I once thought lamb was simply too fancy for me to make at home, but it turns out that this meat is incredibly easy and full of flavor (and accompanying adjectives).

In honor of Easter (and all things cute), I made these ever-so-put-in-your-mouth-whole-without a fork or knife, Marinated Crusted Well-Dressed Rack of Lamb (meat lollipops!!!!!) with quick Faux Cheesy Shell Pasta.

Here's what you need for the Lamb:
1-2 racks of lamb (I used one for 2 people, and we had 2 pieces leftover)
3 large cloves of garlic, plue 3 more large cloves
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt, plus more too taste
1 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2-4 tablespoons of butter (4 if you are also making pasta below)
1 bunch fresh parsley
1/2 bread crumbs
zest of 2 lemons

Here's what you need for the Pasta:
Mini Shells
Parmesan Cheese
Butter
Salt
Pepper

Roasted Lamb Gyros

How many lambs does it take to knit a sweater?
Don't be silly...lambs can't knit.

Monday happens to be my grocery shopping day.  I usually try and get all the stuff we need for the week and half-way plan meal ideas in my head.  Lately, I have been trying to get more daring during the weeknight and cook up more creative dishes.

Typical lazy weeknight dinners:
Pasta with sauce or whatever leftovers are in the fridge (sausage and broccoli, peas and ham, garlic and butter, spinach and goat cheese....maybe throw in tomatoes into some of those...etc. etc).  Grilled fish, Quinoa, and roasted veggies.  Stir Fry (ie. throw in all veggies, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and pile on top of rice).  Grilled cheese and tomato soup.  Nachos (chips baked in the oven, covered in shredded rotisserie chicken, peppers, onions, black beans, salsa, and cheese...one of the hubby's favorite).

Tonight, at first I was thinkin' tacos but then I went to the store and saw pita and thought Roasted Lamb Gyros.  A lot of the ingredients for these can be altered based on what you like to stuff your pita with, so, gyro-ish. 

Here's what you need:
Inside:
meat (I am using 1 slice (cut) of lamb shoulder, anything would work.  Don't feel like lamb?  Try simple grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or veggies (still delicious) with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper)
3/4 cup red wine (for lamb, I had some Cab-Sav open...pinot would work well too, any excuse to open wine is a good one)
2 tablespoons of rosemary or some 2-3 sprigs if you have it fresh. (for lamb)

lettuce (I am using romaine)
tomato (I've got some grape)
green pepper
feta cheese

Tzatziki (sauce):
8 large dollops of plain greek yogurt
2 dollops of sour cream
1 english cucumber grated (I did half fine, half large grated)
juice from 1/2 a lemon, squeeze it fresh
1 teaspoon of fresh chopped dill
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of white vinegar

Outside:
whole wheat pita