Caramelized Lemon Jus Food

CARAMELIZED LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Season the lemon curd with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
• To butterfly the chicken, place the chicken on a cutting board, breast side down. Using sharp kitchen shears, remove the backbone by cutting on either side of the backbone. (Save the backbone for stock.) Flip the chicken, setting it breast side up, and flatten by pressing firmly in the center; you should hear a crack.
• Pat chicken dry. Season the chicken on both sides with 2 teaspoons salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Use the handle of a fork or spoon to loosen the skin from the chicken breasts and thighs (you'll find openings at their tops).
• Spread about three-quarters of the lemon curd between the skin and meat. Use your fingers to massage the curd around so it spreads out under the skin. Spread the rest of the lemon curd in a thin layer all over the chicken skin. Drizzle with the olive oil.
• Pour 3/4 cup water into a large (at least 12-inch) oven-safe skillet, shallow roasting pan or sheet pan. (The water keeps the pan drippings from burning and keeps the chicken moist.) Add the chicken, skin side up. Tuck the wings under to prevent burning and turn the legs so the thighs face up. Roast until a thermometer registers 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh, 45 minutes to 1 hour, starting to check the chicken at 30 minutes. If at any point it starts getting too brown, cover it with foil. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

STUFFED BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB WITH CARAMELIZED LEMON JUS

Steps:

• Open lamb, boned side up, like book. Trim most sinew and fat, being careful not to cut any holes in meat. Make one 3/4-to 1-inch-deep full-length cut in each thick portion of lamb (do not cut through to work surface). Cover lamb with sheet of plastic wrap. Using rolling pin, pound to even 1- to 1 1/2-inch thickness (lamb will be about 8x19 inches).
• Peel off plastic wrap. Sprinkle lamb evenly with salt and pepper, chopped garlic, and lemon peel. Top with 15 sage leaves, spaced evenly apart. Cover with pancetta. Starting at 1 long side, fold lamb in half. Tie lamb tightly at 2-inch intervals into long roll. Using small knife, make deep slits in lamb and insert slice of garlic and piece of sage leaf in each slit. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Whisk lemon juice and oil in medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Brush mixture all over lamb and let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place lamb on grill and sear on all sides. Continue to grill until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130°F for rare, turning and brushing occasionally with lemon juice mixture, about 45 minutes. Transfer to cutting board. Let rest 10 minutes.
• Cut lamb into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve with Caramelized Lemon Jus.

LEMON-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and syrup is clear. Continue to cook, without stirring, until syrup comes to a boil, occasionally washing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Let syrup boil, gently swirling pan occasionally, until dark amber.
• Remove from heat; whisk in lemon juice, liqueur (if desired), butter, and 2 tablespoons water. (Caramel will steam and spatter.) Serve warm.

CARAMELIZED LEMON JUS

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill lemon slices until charred, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate; chop coarsely.
• Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add sage leaves, garlic, and grilled lemon pieces with any juices, then sugar. Cook until shallots start to color, about 5 minutes. Add wine and vodka. Using long wooden skewer, ignite liquors and let burn off, about 4 minutes. Add beef broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until jus is reduced to 3 cups, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.

CARAMELIZED SHALLOT JUS

Steps:

• Heat oil to smoking in a thick-bottomed 2-quart saucepan, add the shallots and the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and caramelize the shallots. When the shallots are nicely browned add the port and brandy. Reduce the liquid until syrupy. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce and thicken until the sauce naps (coats) the back of a spoon.

SALMON BAKED WITH HERBS & CARAMELISED LEMONS

Steps:

• Trim salmon tail and cut off the fins. Pat dry inside and out with kitchen paper. Score the skin of the fish on both sides with a sharp knife, at 2-3cm intervals. Rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay three large pieces of foil over a large baking tray, overlapping the long edges. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5.
• Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan, then fry lemon slices over a high heat for 2-3 mins until golden. Season; allow to cool slightly. Scatter a handful of herbs and lemongrass over foil, then sit salmon on top. Tuck caramelised lemon, herbs and garlic around and inside fish, splash over a little oil and scatter over salt, peppercorns and star anise.
• Fold the foil around the fish to make a shallow tent, scrunching the edges well to seal. Cook in the centre of the oven for 30-35 mins, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Remove from the oven and rest the fish for at least 10 mins, still wrapped in foil.
• Unwrap the fish and gently peel away the skin using a cutlery knife and discard. Use the handle of a spoon to scrape off any brown flesh on top of the pink flesh, then push the spoon head into the groove that runs along the length of the fillet, easing the flesh into two long strips. Push the spoon into the flesh where it joins the backbone, lifting it off the bone. Break the fish on the first side into 4 portions and lift onto serving plates. When the top half is served, pull off the backbone and head and serve the rest. Drain the juices into a small jug. Serve with caramelised lemons and a drizzle of the juices.