Lambwithpeaches Recipes

BRAISED AND BROWNED LAMB WITH PEACHES

Steps:

• Put the lamb in a 12-inch skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. Season with salt and add the cinnamon, cayenne, onion, and wine. Bring to a boil, cover, and adjust the heat so that the mixture simmers steadily but not violently. Cook, checking and stirring every 15 minutes or so, adding a little more liquid in the unlikely event that the mixture cooks dry. (This probably means that the heat is too high; turn it down a bit.)
• After 1 to 1 1/2 hours, the meat should be tender when poked with a small, sharp knife; remove the onion and cinnamon stick, then turn the heat to medium-high and cook off any remaining liquid, allowing the lamb to brown a little. Cut the peaches in half and remove their pits, then cut each of them into 12 or 16 wedges. Stir in the peaches and continue to cook, gently tossing or stirring the mixture, until the peaches are glazed and quite soft but still intact, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon juice and most of the parsley; taste and adjust the seasoning. Garnish with the remaining bit of herb and serve.

GRILLED LAMB KEBABS WITH SMOKY PEACHES

Steps:

• Build a fire in your grill; when the coals are all covered with gray ash and the temperature is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill for 3 to 4 seconds), you are ready to cook. (For a gas grill, turn all burners to high, lower cover, and heat for 15 minutes, then turn burners to medium-high.)
• Mix the yogurt and mint together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Trim the lamb of most but not all fat and cut it into 32 large chunks, about 1 inch square. Add them to a large bowl with the olive oil, curry powder, salt and pepper, and toss well to coat, then thread onto 4 skewers.
• Put the skewers on the grill directly over the coals. Also put the peaches on the grill, cut side down, and cook until just slightly charred and softened, about 6 minutes. Take off the grill and cut into large wedges (about 6 per peach).
• At the same time, cook the lamb, turning to expose all 4 sides to the direct heat of the coals, until done to your liking, about 2 to 3 minutes per side (8 to 12 minutes total) for medium rare. (To check for doneness, cut into one of the chunks and check to see if it is cooked to your liking - remove from the heat when it is slightly less done than you want it to be when you eat it.)
• Put the peaches and lamb into a large bowl. Add the garlic, basil, vinegar and Tabasco, toss to coat, season with more salt and pepper if needed, and serve (over rice if you wish), accompanied by the yogurt and mint.

LAMB WITH PEACHES

Steps:

• Place lamb in a 12-inch skillet (cast iron preferred) and turn heat to medium-high.
• Season with salt, and add cinnamon, cayenne, onion and wine (water).
• Bring to a boil, cover and adjust heat so the mixture simmers steadily.
• Cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours, checking and stirring every 15 minutes or so, adding a little more liquid in the unlikely event that the mixture cooks dry (this probably means the heat is too high, turn it down a bit) When the meat feels tender when poked with a sharp knife, remove the onion and cinnamon stick, then turn the heat to medium high and cook off any remaining liquid, allowing the lamb to brown a little.
• Cut the peaches in half and remove their pits, then cut each of them into 12 or 16 wedges.
• Stir in the peaches, and continue to cook, gently tossing or stirring the mixture until the peaches are glazed and quite soft but still intact, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon or lime juice and most of the parsley and cilantro.
• Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Garnish with what's left of the herb and serve.

SPICED GRILLED LAMB WITH PEACH CHUTNEY

Steps:

• If using bamboo skewers, place them in a bowl of water. Prepare the lamb: in a large bowl, combine the pepper, allspice, cumin, coriander, chili, cardamom, ginger, garlic, oil and a generous pinch of salt. Rub the mixture on the lamb and marinate for at least six hours in the refrigerator.
• Make the chutney: place the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves on a square of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine. Place the sachet in a 6-quart saucepan with the mustard seeds, pomegranate seeds, ginger, chili, maple syrup, vinegar and orange juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the peaches and gently simmer on medium-low heat until the peaches are very tender and the liquid thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 60 to 75 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a heatproof container to cool. Refrigerate.
• Heat a grill or nonstick skillet to high. Place no more than six lamb pieces on a skewer. Season generously with salt. Cook to desired temperature, 3 minutes on each side for medium rare. Take care not to burn the spices. Drizzle with lime juice and serve with chutney.

LAMB STEW WITH PEACHES AND VERJUICE

Steps:

• Dry lamb with paper towels and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the lamb in batches, making sure the pan is not crowded, and brown well. Remove lamb cubes to a platter as they are browned.
• Pour off fat or, if necessary, add oil so you have about 2 tablespoons total. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, for another 2 minutes.
• Put meat and any accumulated juices back into the pan and add enough chicken stock to cover meat. Bring to a boil, then skim any film off the top, reduce heat to medium-low so the liquid is at a slow simmer, cover and cook until lamb is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add peach quarters and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add peaches to stew along with verjuice, and continue to cook, covered, until the peaches are very soft but not disintegrated, about 20 minutes. Add mint, adjust seasoning as necessary, and serve.

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH ARUGULA, AGED GOAT CHEESE, CALIFORNIA PEACHES AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• For the lamb chops:
• Lightly pound each chop and place them in a re-sealable bag. Add the rest of the ingredients and let marinate for a minimum of 3 hours
• For the vinaigrette:
• Puree the shallots, vinegar and mustard in a blender or food processor for 30 seconds, then pulse in olive oil. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of chopped chives. Don't worry about arugula burning from vinaigrette - it is hardy and meant to be wilted. Set the vinaigrette aside.
• Toss peach halves with the brandy and sugar. Allow to macerate for 1 hour. Grill quickly, just allowing for peaches to get charred.
• Toss arugula with the vinaigrette, then top with the goat cheese. Garnish with remaining chives and the toasted the almonds. Serve immediately.
• Remove lamb chops from marinade. Grill quickly over high heat until nicely charred and rare. Serve at room temperature.