Shallot Marmalade Recipes

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.

BISON STEAK AU POIVRE WITH RED WINE SHALLOT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Combine the ground peppercorns and salt and liberally coat the bison steaks.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium-high heat melt the butter with the oil and sugar. Add the shallots and caramelize them for 10 minutes. Add the wine, turn down the heat to a simmer and reduce liquid to 1/4 of its original amount. Remove from heat. Add thyme and season.
• On a hot grill, cook the steaks to the desired doneness.
• To serve, top each of the steaks with a spoonful of the shallot marmalade. The marmalade can be hot, warm or room temperature.

SHALLOT MARMALADE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium-sized heavy-duty skillet or saucepan, heat the oil and sauté the shallots over moderate heat with a pinch of salt and pepper, stirring frequently, until they’re soft and wilted, which should take about 10 minutes. 2. Add the beer, sugar, honey, vinegar, and prune pieces or raisins, and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the shallots begin to caramelize. While cooking, continue stirring them just enough to keep them from burning. 3. The jam is done when the shallots are nicely caramelized, as shown in the picture in the post. (Do not overcook; there should still be some juices in the pot when it’s ready.)

SHALLOT MARMALADE

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients (use only a little salt and pepper to begin with) in a large non-reactive sauté pan with 2 cups of water. The shallots should be completely covered. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and gently simmer the shallots, uncovered, until the liquid is completely absorbed, 30-40 minutes. Stir from time to time, more frequently at the end. You may need to lower the heat to keep the shallots from burning. Taste for seasoning, adding salt, pepper, vinegar, or honey, to taste. The marmelade should be a little sweet, a little sour, and very highly seasoned. Transfer to clean (even sterile) jars and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.