Poached Lamb With Garlic Food

LAMB CHOPS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dry the lamb chops well and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Lay chops in the pan and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the sides of the lamb registers 125 degrees F, about 4 minutes per side. After cooking the lamb on each side, stand it up on it's edges to brown the sides as well, about 2 minutes more. Reduce the heat if needed so the browned bits remaining in the pan don't burn. Remove chops from the skillet and set aside in a warm place.
• Pour off all but 1 1/2 tablespoons fat from the skillet. Add the garlic and cook, tilting the skillet to keep the garlic submerged in the fat, and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Add the wine and rosemary, stirring up browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and simmer over high heat until syrupy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth and cook until reduced by about half, another 5 to 6 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and briskly whisk in the butter. When the butter has incorporated, whisk in the mustard and heavy cream. Season with additional salt and pepper.
• Serve 2 chops per person with the sauce.

SLOW-ROAST LAMB WITH PRUNES & ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Remove any loose skin from the garlic bulbs and slightly fan the cloves without removing them from the root. Put on a sheet of foil, then drizzle with the 2 tbsp oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap in the foil, and roast in the oven for 30-35 mins until soft. Leave to cool.
• For the marinade, put the prunes in a jug with 100ml boiling water for 10 mins until soft. Squeeze the roasted garlic flesh from the skins into the jug, then add the rest of the marinade ingredients. Whizz together using a hand blender until smooth.
• Put the lamb in a large baking dish. Make small incisions with a sharp knife, then pour the marinade over, massaging it into the holes. Cover with foil and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins or up to 24 hrs.
• Turn the temperature up to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put the lamb in the oven, immediately turning it down to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Cook for 3-4 hrs, until the lamb has pulled away from the bone. Remove from the oven.
• Pour the juices into a jug, then skim off the layer of fat. Turn the grill to high, then brown the lamb for 10 mins. Remove, loosely cover with the foil, and rest for 20 mins before shredding the meat.
• Add 1½ tbsp of the juices to a saucepan over a medium heat and mix in the flour or cornflour. Cook for 3 mins, stirring, until it starts to colour, then add the wine, and simmer to reduce the liquid by half. Stir in the remaining meat juices. Taste for seasoning, then serve with the lamb.

BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB ROASTED WITH GINGER AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Put the oil in a small pan over medium heat. When hot add the rosemary, ginger, garlic, 3 teaspoons of the salt, and pepper. Sauté for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool, then rub the paste into the lamb. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 and up to 24 hours.
• Take the lamb out of the fridge 2 hours before cooking. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°F.
• Set a large nonstick saucepan over high heat and heat the pan for 2 minutes. Keeping the heat high, sear the lamb on both sides in batches. Scrape any scraps of rosemary and ginger in the saucepan onto the seared meat after each batch.
• Arrange the lamb on a sheet pan and put in the oven to roast. Start checking the smaller pieces for doneness after 10 minutes. The largest piece will take about 20 minutes. If you have a meat thermometer, use it now. My thermometer broke about 6 years ago (memo from the school of antique cooking habits) so I use a metal trussing skewer. I stick the skewer into the center of the meat, wait 5 seconds, then touch the skewer to my cheek. If the metal is warm, the meat is done. This trick caused an uproar of consternation in the catering office, prompting a chorus of "How warm?" -- so maybe a meat thermometer is the way to go. Aim for 350°F.
• Allow the lamb to rest for 20 minutes. Thinly slice and serve warm or at room temperature.

SPICY LAMB WITH GARLIC COUSCOUS

Steps:

• FOR THE LAMB.
• Trim off any fat.
• In a small bowl combine the chili, cumin, garlic and coriander.
• Rub the mix into the lamb, you can allow it to marinate for up to 4 hours but it isn't essential.
• Cook the lamb on a preheated, oiled grill plate until browned and cooked to your liking.
• Remove from grill, sprinkle with a little sea salt and cover to keep warm.
• FOR THE COUSCOUS.
• Combine the stock, garlic and peas in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the couscous and oil.
• Cover and stand for about 5 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff with a fork.
• TO SERVE.
• Slice the lamb, place on top of a mound of couscous and add a dollop of yoghurt.

POACHED LAMB WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Place the lamb, fat side up, in a 2-quart round or oval souffle dish with sides at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Sprinkle garlic cloves around and under the lamb. Pour the broth and cream over all. Cover tightly with microwave plastic wrap. Cook at 100 percent power for 15 minutes.
• Pierce the plastic with the tip of a small knife to release steam, then uncover carefully. Turn the lamb over, re-cover, and cook 15 minutes longer.
• Remove the lamb from the oven, pierce the plastic, and uncover. Place the lamb on a platter, and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand for 15 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
• Scrape the cooking liquid and garlic into the bowl of a food processor, and puree until smooth. Pour back into cooking dish. Stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook, uncovered, in the microwave oven for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Slice the lamb 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Pour the sauce onto a platter, and arange the lamb on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.