Chestnut Lamb Loin With Sweet Onion Marmalade Recipes

AZERBAIJANI-STYLE LAMB WITH APRICOTS & CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Put the saffron in a heatproof cup and pour over 75ml boiling water. Leave for 30 mins, or until the water is a deep yellow colour.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, and brown the lamb all over - you'll need to do this in batches. Transfer the browned lamb to a bowl using a slotted spoon as you continue cooking the rest.
• Fry the onions in the residual fat in the pan over a medium-low heat for 10-12 mins until golden and soft. Add the tomatoes and garlic, and continue to fry until the tomatoes have softened. Stir in the spices and cook for a few minutes, then return the lamb to the pan with some seasoning. Pour in the stock and infused saffron water. Bring to just under the boil, then add the apricots, chestnuts, and a little more seasoning. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook over a very low heat for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until the lamb is tender. At this stage, the lamb can be frozen. Leave to cool completely first, then transfer to a freezer proof airtight container. Will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
• To serve straightaway, stir in the lemon juice, sumac and coriander. Alternatively, if you have frozen the lamb, defrost in the fridge overnight, then transfer to a saucepan and heat gently. When it is piping hot, add the lemon juice, sumac and coriander. Taste to check for seasoning, then serve.

HAGGIS

Steps:

• Rinse the stomach thoroughly and soak overnight in cold salted water.
• Rinse the liver, heart, and tongue. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook these parts over medium heat for 2 hours. Remove and mince. Remove any gristle or skin and discard.
• In a large bowl, combine the minced liver, heart, tongue, suet, onions, and toasted oats. Season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Moisten with some of the cooking water so the mixture binds. Remove the stomach from the cold salted water and fill 2/3 with the mixture. Sew or tie the stomach closed. Use a turning fork to pierce the stomach several times. This will prevent the haggis from bursting.
• In a large pot of boiling water, gently place the filled stomach, being careful not to splash. Cook over high heat for 3 hours.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, if you serve it at all.

RED ONION MARMALADE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onions and sugar in hot oil until onions start to caramelize, about 15 minutes. Stir red wine and balsamic vinegar into onion mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes more. Season with salt.

LAMB-AND-CHESTNUT STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a chestnut knife or a small paring knife, make an incision about 1/8 inch deep through the shell and into the flesh of each chestnut almost all the way around the circumference of the nut.Transfer to a chestnut pan or rimmed baking pan. Roast in the oven until the chestnuts are tender, about 35 minutes.Turn the oven off. Leaving the pan with the chestnuts in the oven, remove several at a time.Working quickly, place 1 chestnut in a towel, and, holding both, peel the chestnut while still hot. Remove and discard the shells and inner skin; set aside.
• Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Dredge the meat in flour, and shake off excess; set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add lamb, in a single layer without crowding, and cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes.Transfer lamb to a dish. Repeat browning with the remaining olive oil and meat.
• To the Dutch oven, add onions, and cook until golden, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until well browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add red wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
• Add the reserved lamb, beef stock, chestnuts, tomatoes, sage, and rosemary, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, until the meat is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add cranberries, and cook 2 minutes. (Proceed with step 5, and serve immediately, or let cool, refrigerate overnight, and proceed with step 5 just before serving.)
• Serve the hot polenta with the lamb-and-chestnut stew.

BAKER, BAKER

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all the dry ingredients and diced butter. Rub mixture briskly between finger tips until it forms small moist clumps in a loose sandy mixture. Refrigerate while preparing the apples.
• Cut a small layer off the bottom of each apple to create a flat, stable bottom surface. With a small paring knife, cut a cylindrical cone out of the top of the apple, moving about 1-inch outside of the core, similar to removing the top of a pumpkin when carving a Jack O'Lantern. Remove the top and discard. With a melon baller or a teaspoon, remove the remaining core and seeds taking care not to puncture the base of the apple.
• Place apples on a baking sheet or pie dish and fill each center with a teaspoon of honey. Spoon in mixture, packing lightly until heaped and overflowing over sides of the apples.
• Bake in oven at 350 degrees on the top or middle rack for 40 minutes or until filling is golden brown and the tip of a paring knife can be inserted into the side of the apple with little or no resistance. Let apples stand for 10 minutes before serving.

LAMB PANINI WITH BOURBON RAISIN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the bread: In a bowl, combine the yeast and water. Let sit for a couple of minutes until the yeast is foamy. Add the olive oil and sugar and mix well. Combine the salt and flour and add a cup at a time to the wet mixture. Turn onto a lightly floured board or counter and knead repeatedly for about 4 to 5 minutes. Put in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
• Punch down and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Punch down and separate into 2 portions. Roll each section of dough out into a rectangular shape about 1/2-inch thick. Make indentations on the dough with your fingertips. Lightly rub the dough with olive oil and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake in the hot oven for approximately 20 minutes. Ovens vary so keep your eye on the bread. When completed, remove for the oven and let cool.
• For the Bourbon Raisin Sauce: In a skillet over low heat, pour the bourbon. Add the cream cheese and mix until well blended with the bourbon. Add the raisins, maple syrup, salt, allspice, and heavy cream. Mix well. Allow the mixture to simmer over very low heat for a couple of minutes. Set aside.
• For assembly: In a skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over low to medium heat. Add the chopped lamb chunks and stir. Add the onions and bell peppers, mix well and allow the mixture to saute over a low heat for 5 minutes. Add the cheese to the mixture and cover (partially) with a lid.
• Butter the bread slices with the remaining butter and grill the bread to desired crispness.
• Position the bottom of the bread slices on 4 plates. Add the 1 cup (or desired amount) or more of the Bourbon Raisin Sauce to the lamb mixture keeping some off to the side to put in ramekins for a side of sauce when serving the sandwiches. Mix well. Evenly distribute the lamb mixture onto the bread slices. Evenly distribute the mesclun greens and tomatoes over the lamb. Cover with the top slice of bread. Serve immediately.

MARINATED BARBECUE LAMB WITH SHALLOT MARMALADE, SERVED WITH GRIDDLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Make the marinade - in a bowl, whisk together 150ml olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, fennel tops and mint, a good pinch sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
• Pour half the marinade into a long dish, sit the lamb on top and cover with the remaining marinade. Set aside for at least 30 mins so that the flavours develop.
• Heat a frying pan over a high heat, add the shallots, garlic, ginger, curry powder, sugar, 4 tbsp oil and fry for 2-3 mins, stirring until caramelised. Turn down heat and add leaves from 4 thyme sprigs. Season and cook on medium heat for about 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
• Deglaze with wine vinegar, cook for another 5 mins, then stir in the crème fraîche and cook 2-3 mins. You should have a creamy soft mixture. Set aside to cool. The marmalade will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Lightly trim the fennel roots, then quarter and cut each bulb into 8 wedges. Slash each wedge down the centre almost to the root. Lay on a plate, drizzle with a little oil and the balsamic vinegar. Season lightly.
• For the asparagus, cut off woody ends on the diagonal, then split each spear down the centre almost to the tips. Drizzle with a little oil and season well.
• For the peppers, remove stalk, slit open, remove seeds and ribs, then open out and cut into long 2cm-thick strips.
• Sprinkle the bread slices with crushed salt, more thyme leaves and lightly drizzle some oil. Set all the vegetables and bread aside.
• Lift meat from the marinade and lightly shake to remove any excess marinade. Place on the hot griddle (take care, as the griddle will flame up) and cook 6-7 mins each side, moving to the side of the grill if they start to burn. Press meat with the back of a fork to check for doneness (see Gordon's tips, below). I serve my lamb medium rare. Allow 2 mins extra each side for well done. Remove cooked meat and leave to rest for 10 mins.
• Griddle vegetables starting with the fennel, allowing 3 mins each side until chargrilled and lightly softened. Then cook asparagus for 4-5 mins turning once, the pepper strips (3-4 mins) and finally the bread until lightly toasted. Slice the meat thinly lengthways. Spread the toast with shallot marmalade, top with the lamb and serve with the vegetables alongside.