Braised Shoulder Of Lamb With Jewelled Stuffing Recipes

BRAISED SHOULDER OF LAMB WITH JEWELLED STUFFING

Steps:

• To make the stuffing, soak the dates, apricots and cranberries in boiling water for 30 mins, then drain and squeeze dry gently. Mix with the rest of the stuffing ingredients and salt and pepper.
• Season the lamb well on both sides. Spread on the stuffing, then roll into shape and secure with string. Heat the oil in a large, lidded ovenproof pan. Add the lamb and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Brown the onions in the remaining fat for 5 mins, add the garlic and sizzle for 30 secs. Now pour in the cider and as it bubbles, scrape up any caramelised bits at the bottom and sides of the pan. Add enough of the stock to come ¹/³ of the way up the lamb, and the orange zest, cinnamon and bay leaves.
• Cover with a piece of crumpled baking parchment and cook for 2½-3 hrs, turning halfway through, until the meat is completely tender. Remove and wrap with foil. Strain the juices and spoon off any fat that comes to the top, then put into a wide pan and boil to reduce for 5-10 mins, until slightly thickened and rich in flavour. Season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon or orange juice, if necessary. Slice the lamb and serve with the sauce, and parsley sprinkled over.

BRAISED LAMB WITH BASIL AND GARLIC STUFFING

Steps:

• When the lamb is boned, ask the butcher to remove the bones and crack them. Combine the bacon, garlic, parsley, and basil in a food processor or use a blender. Blend the ingredients to a fine puree. Sprinkle the lamb inside with salt and pepper. Spread the bacon mixture inside the lamb to fill it. If some of the stuffing oozes out, no matter. Sew up the lamb, tucking in torn pieces as necessary. Sprinkle the lamb all over with salt and pepper. Rub the lamb with any excess bacon and herb mixture. Place the lamb, fat side down, in a heavy casserole and arrange the bones around it. The lamb and bones should fit snugly inside the casserole. Brown the lamb on all sides and sprinkle onion and carrots around it. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes. Carefully pour off and discard all fat that has accumulated. Add the wine, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cover and bring to the boil. Cook and bring to the boil. Cook over moderate heat for about 2 hours. Remove the lamb and strain the sauce into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and skim the surface as necessary to remove as much fat as possible. Cook the sauce down until it is properly concentrated and sauce-like. Slice the meat and spoon a little of the sauce over each serving.

BRAISED LAMB SHOULDER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Season lamb all over with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Add lamb shoulder, and cook, turning occasionally, until lamb is browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove lamb; set aside. Pour out any excess oil, and discard. Add remaining tablespoon oil and heat over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic, celery, carrot, onion, herbs, nutmeg, and cloves. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Return lamb to Dutch oven. Add wine and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to the oven. Cook until fork-tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Remove from oven. Transfer lamb to a platter, and keep warm. Make sauce: Place the Dutch oven over low heat, and cook the liquid until it has reduced and thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove twine from lamb, and slice; serve with sauce.