Lamb Gravy Food

LAMB & SHALLOT GRAVY

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and fry the shallots, carrot and celery for 7-10 mins, or until deep golden brown. Tip in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Pour in the wine and stir to combine everything, then simmer on a low heat for a few minutes, or until the wine has reduced by half. Add the rosemary and bay leaf, then gradually stir in the lamb stock. Simmer for 30 mins, uncovered.
• Strain the gravy through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and simmer on a low heat until thick and glossy, about 15-20 mins. Will keep frozen for three months.

TRADITIONAL GRAVY FOR ROAST BEEF, LAMB, PORK OR DUCK

Steps:

• First of all remove the meat or poultry from the roasting tin and have a bowl ready, then tilt the tin and you will see quite clearly the fat separating from the darker juices. So now you need to spoon off the fat into the bowl using a tablespoon, but remember, you need to leave 1-1½ tablespoons of fat in the tin. Then, using a wooden spoon, scrape the sides and base of the tin to release any crusty bits, which are very important for flavour. Next, place the tin over direct heat turned fairly low and, when the fat and juices begin to sizzle, add the flour, then quickly dive in with the wooden spoon using brisk circular movements. Speed is of the essence - gentle, faint-hearted stirring is not what's needed here: you should be mixing in the manner of a speeded-up film!
• Soon you will have a smooth paste, so now begin to add the hot stock, a little at a time, whisking briskly and blending after each addition. Now turn the heat up to medium and you will find that, as the stock is added and it reaches simmering point, the gravy will have thickened.
• Now your own preference comes into play. If the gravy is too thin, let it bubble and reduce a little; if it's too thick, add a little more liquid. Finally, taste and season with salt and freshly milled black pepper, then pour the gravy into a warmed jug ready for the table.
• For pork, which has pale juices, add onion to the roasting tin. This will caramelise during cooking and give colour to the juices. The onion may also be used with other joints and poultry to give colour.
• For lamb, add a teaspoon of mustard powder with the flour, a tablespoon of redcurrant jelly to melt into the gravy, and some red wine to add body.
• For duck, add the grated zest and juice of a small orange, along with a glass of port.
• For beef, add a wineglass of red wine or Madeira - this enriches the beef flavour magically.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH RED WINE GRAVY

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, remove the thin membrane and most of the fat from the lamb.
• Cut about 25 tiny slits all over the lamb; insert the garlic slivers.
• Combine the oil, lemon juice and rosemary; brush over the lamb.
• Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• On a greased rack in a roasting pan, roast the lamb in a 325 degree F oven for 1-3/4 to 2 hours, 25 to 30 minutes per pound, or until the meat thermometer registers 140 degrees F for rare or 160 degrees F for medium.
• Remove the lamb to a platter; cover loosely with foil and let stand for 15 minutes.
• To make the gravy, skim the fat from the pan.
• Add onion and cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 4 minutes or until softened.
• Pour in the wine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for 1 minute, stirring to scrape up the brown bits.
• Add the stock and return to the boil; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until reduced to about 1 cup.
• Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water; stir into the stock mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until thickened.
• Blend in the tomato paste.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Strain if desired.
• Slice the lamb and serve with the gravy.

EASY ROAST LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Remove all packaging from the lamb and keep a note of the weight to calculate the roasting time. Make incisions into the lamb using a small sharp knife, at an angle, about 5cm into the meat. Making the holes at an angle will mean more of the meat is flavoured, and the flavourings will be less tempted to be pushed out when roasting.
• Insert a short sprig of rosemary, a garlic slice and a small piece of anchovy (if using) into each of the holes, pressing in well with your finger. Season the meat all over with salt and pepper, then rub the lamb all over with the olive oil. Transfer to a roasting tin, sat on the onion slices. Roast for 20 mins.
• Lower the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and cook for another 15-20 mins per 500g (1 hr - 1 hr 20 mins for 2kg leg) depending on how pink you like your lamb. You can also check the internal temperature of the lamb if you prefer pinker meat - it will be 55C for medium (pink) and 70C for well done.
• Cover with foil and rest for 15 mins before carving. Save the tray juices and onion slices to make gravy.

SPRING LAMB WITH MINTED GRAVY

Steps:

• Starting 2-3 days BEFORE cooking, purchase spring lamb.
• At Easter time, it's a good idea to order it from a butcher in advance.
• Have the butcher take the bone out AND remove the gland, but tell him NOT to tie it.
• Ask for the string so you can tie it at home after marinating.
• At home, rub the lamb well, inside and out with the combined marinating ingredients.
• Roll up lengthwise and use the butcher's string to tie it up by tying lengths of string every 2-3 inches.
• Marinate the lamb for two days before cooking.
• On the day of cooking, plan on 2 hours of roasting time.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place lamb in roasting pan and roast (uncovered) for 20 minutes and then reduce heat to 250°F and continue baking for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meat thermometer should reach 140°F.
• Remove lamb from oven and let rest, covered in foil, while making gravy.
• Make one quart of brown gravy using a good quality beef base and diluting it with 3 1/2 cups hot water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and thicken with roux.
• Add the sherry and butter, whisking to blend well.
• Season with salt and pepper and stir in the mint jelly, stirring until melted.
• Serve with lamb.
• For roux: Melt 4 tbsp butter in saucepan over medium heat, and add 4 tbsp flour.
• Stir constantly with wooden spoon about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• (See "roux" search if you need further details).