Braised Winter Roots Recipes

BRAISED WINTER ROOTS

Steps:

• Peel parsnips and cut into 3- by 1/4-inch sticks. Cut leeks crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and wash well. Trim stalks flush with fennel bulb and cut each bulb lengthwise into 8 wedges.
• In a heavy saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter over moderate heat and stir in parsnips, leeks, fennel, garlic, thyme, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Add wine and simmer mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in remaining tablespoon butter and salt and pepper to taste.

BRAISED SHORT RIBS WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Season ribs with rosemary. salt and pepper by rubbing them into the meat of the ribs. Lightly coat each side of ribs with flour, shaking off any excess.
• Heat olive oil in a large deep ovenproof skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ribs and cook about 2 minutes on all sides. Transfer the ribs to a plate.
• Add shallots, carrots, and parsnips to the same skillet and cook about 5 minutes until tender and brown.
• With the vegetables still in the pan, deglaze the skillet by adding the port and cooking over medium high heat 10 to 12 minutes until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Add the broth and tomato paste and stir to mix thoroughly. Remove from heat.
• Return the ribs to the skillet, cover and cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is fork tender and falling off the bone. Turn ribs several times during the cooking process.
• Transfer the ribs and vegetables to a plate. Place the skillet over medium high heat and boil to reduce the liquid by about two thirds. The liquid will become thick.
• Spoon liquid over meat and vegetables.

BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the lamb and season with salt and pepper.
• In a large pot (with a tight-fitting lid), add the oil and heat it over a high flame.
• Place the lamb in the pot and let it sear on all sides until golden brown (about 12-15 minutes).
• Remove from the pot and drain off all of the oil except for 2 tablespoons.
• Add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the wine to the pot and reduce by ¾.
• Place the lamb back into the pot and cover completely with chicken stock; bring to a simmer (about 15 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Put the lid on the pot and place in the oven, and cook for 3 hours.
• Add the carrots, celery root, rutabaga and cippolini onions to the pot and cook for 1 more hour, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
• Remove the lamb and place it on a serving platter.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables and arrange them around the lamb.
• Strain the remainder of the sauce and put it back in the pot; reduce by 3/4 (approximately 20 minutes) until thickened and richly flavored.
• Season with salt and pepper.