James Martin Slow Roast Lamb Food

SLOW COOKED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 120C/fan 100C/gas ½. Put your largest lidded casserole on the hob and brown the seasoned leg of lamb on all sides - do this very thoroughly until it is a good dark brown as it will not brown during the cooking. (If you don't do it now, it will end up beige.) If the lamb sticks, add a drizzle of oil - legs of lamb differ. Allow 10 mins on a high heat and put on the cooker fan to remove the smoke. Pour away any fat that has collected in the bottom of the pan.
• Throw in the vegetables, followed by the wine and stock. Season and bring to the boil, then clap on the lid and put in the oven. Bake for 7 hrs, turning twice. After 5 hrs the meat will be cooked and offer no resistance to the knife.
• There is no need to rest the meat when cooked in this way, but to finish the sauce, transfer the meat and vegetables to a serving dish. Strain the sauce into a jug and pour or blot away the fat with kitchen paper. Pour the sauce into a pan then boil the liquid hard to reduce by a quarter, by which time it will be rich and flavoursome. Adjust seasoning, add the Armagnac if you wish, and serve alongside the lamb, which should be served with a spoon, a la cuillère as the French call it.

SLOW-ROAST SHOULDER OF LAMB WITH ANCHOVY & ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Finely chop the rosemary, then mix with the garlic, capers, anchovies, olive oil and zest and juice of 1 lemon, reserving the used lemon halves. Make 3-4 slashes across the top of the shoulder, then rub the rosemary mixture all over the lamb.
• Scatter the onion into the base of a large roasting tin, cut the remaining lemon in half, squeeze the juices into the tin, and place all the used lemon halves in the tin with the onions. Place the lamb on top and roast for 1 hr. Pour in the wine and roast for a further 3 hrs until the meat is really tender. Leave to rest for 15 mins then serve, pulled into chunks rather than carved, with any pan juices.

SLOW-ROAST PERSIAN LAMB WITH POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. In a small bowl, mix the molasses with the cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Scatter the onion over a casserole dish or a deep roasting tin. Place the lamb on top of the onions. Pour the glaze over the lamb. Rinse the bowl out with about 200ml water, then pour it around - not over - the lamb.
• Cover the dish with a lid or the tin with a large piece of foil. Roast the lamb, undisturbed, for 3 hrs, then remove the lid or foil and continue to roast for 30 mins to give the lamb colour. When the lamb has had its time, pour off the juices, remove as much fat as possible, then pour the juices back over the lamb.
• Just before serving, gently toss all the salad ingredients together. Serve the lamb with its sauce, the salad and some warmed flatbreads.

SLOW-ROASTED LAMB SHOULDER AND HOMEMADE MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• For the lamb, place the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme and rosemary in the bottom of a large, deep roasting tin. Put the lamb on top and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and pour the stock in the bottom.
• Roast for 30 minutes uncovered. Then lower the temperature to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3. Cover the roasting tin with aluminium foil and cook for a further 4 hours.
• For the mint sauce, put the chopped mint in a small bowl and add the vinegar and sugar and stir until well combined. Set aside until ready to serve.
• For the roast potatoes, put the potatoes into a large saucepan, cover with water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the beef dripping into a large roasting tray and preheat in the oven.
• Drain the potatoes in a colander and shake around a little to roughen up the edges.
• Add the potatoes to the preheated fat and turn carefully, or until coated in the fat. Sprinkle with salt and place in the oven for 30 minutes, until starting to turn golden-brown and crisp. Turn the potatoes and return to the oven for a further 20-30 minutes.
• When the lamb is very tender, remove it from the cooking juices and allow to rest. Keep warm until ready to serve.
• For the glazed parsnips and cabbage, preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• Place the parsnips, sherry and honey in a baking tray and mix to coat the parsnips. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, turning half way through, until the parsnips are tender and golden-brown.
• Heat a little oil in a large frying pan and stir fry the cabbage for 1-2 minutes, then add the butter and stir to coat.
• To serve, shred the lamb and place on serving plates. Place the roast potatoes, parsnips and cabbage next to the lamb. Serve with the mint sauce, gravy and grated chestnuts (if using).