Australian Lamb Marsala With Braised Winter Squash Food

LAMB MARSALA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the wine, garlic and oregano; set aside. Rub oil over lamb, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan; spoon some wine mixture over roast. Set aside remaining wine mixture., Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), basting occasionally with some remaining wine mixture. Remove from the oven; cover loosely with foil for 10-15 minutes., Meanwhile, pour pan drippings into a measuring cup; skim fat. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, saute mushrooms until tender. Add pan drippings and any remaining wine mixture; heat through. Slice lamb and serve with mushroom sauce.

BRAISED LAMB WITH SQUASH AND BRANDIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Place the racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven, and heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Halve the squash lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and discard them. Rub the flesh of the squash with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Place 3 sprigs each of thyme and sage on a small baking sheet. Place the cut side of the squash directly on top of the herbs. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add the quartered shallots cut-side down and cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid scorching. Season with salt and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
• Pat the lamb dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pot over medium-high. Cook the lamb on both sides until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Work in batches if necessary.
• Add the minced shallots and garlic to the pan, season with salt and stir to coat with the pan drippings. Add the whole peeled tomatoes and their juices, then add the stock or water and bring to a boil. Return the lamb shanks to the pot and add the remaining thyme and sage.
• Cover the pot with a lid or a piece of foil and move the pot to the bottom rack of the oven. Place the squash on the top rack. Bake the squash until the flesh is tender and a thin knife can be easily inserted, about 75 to 90 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Continue to cook the lamb until the meat is tender enough to pull with a fork, about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours total.
• Scoop out the squash with a spoon and place on a serving plate, then transfer the lamb to the plate and cover to keep warm. Remove the braised tomatoes from the lamb cooking liquid and discard along with any excess fat.
• Set the pot over medium heat and reduce the liquid to about 3/4 of its volume, about 5 minutes. Add the browned shallots and brandied fruit. Cook until shallots are tender and sauce is warmed through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the lamb and squash and garnish with mint leaves. Serve with steamed rice, couscous or thick slices of a crusty sourdough loaf.

LAMB CHOPS MARSALA

Steps:

• Trim all visible fat from the lamb chops.
• Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Add chops to the skillet; cook 7 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness.
• Remove chops from skillet; drain and set aside; keep warm.
• Wipe drippings from the skillet using a paper towel.
• In a bowl, mix together the water, wine, and tomato paste using a whisk.
• Add wine mixture, mushrooms, and onions to the skillet; cook over high heat, stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Spoon sauce over chops.