Stir Fried Navarin Food

STIR-FRIED NAVARIN

Steps:

• Cut the lamb in slices less than one-half-inch thick against the grain, then cut the slices into pieces about an inch wide and one-and-a-half inches long. Trim away any fat.
• Mix the soy sauce, one tablespoon of the wine and the five-spice powder together in a bowl. Add the lamb, mix well and allow to marinate 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in the vinegar in a small bowl and mix in the remaining wine and the oyster sauce. Set aside.
• Shortly before serving, heat a wok or a large skillet. Add the oil. Drain the lamb and add it, stirring over high heat just until the pieces can be separated and lose their redness. Remove the lamb from the wok and place in a shallow bowl.
• Add the garlic, stir-fry for a moment, then add the onions, turnip slices, snow peas and asparagus. Stir-fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about four minutes. Add the chicken stock and cook for a minute longer.
• Stir in the cornstarch mixture, bring to a simmer, then return the lamb and any of its juices to the wok. Stir for a moment to reheat the lamb, add the scallions, rosemary and parsley, stir once more, then serve.

NAVARIN OF LAMB & SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Trim all the veg and peel the carrots. Boil a large pan of water and have a bowl of heavily iced water ready. Working in batches, cook the turnips for 3 mins, scoop into the iced water, then scoop out to drain. Repeat the process, cooking the carrots for 4 mins, the leeks for 5 mins, the peas and broad beans together for 1 min and finally the onions for 8-10 mins. Use a clean cloth to rub the skins off the turnips. Put all the vegetables in separate piles on a plate. TIP: Use the timings for cooking the baby vegetables only as a guideline, as they can vary in size. To be sure the vegetables are cooked properly, add a few more than the required amount to the water for you to test as they cook.
• Slice the lamb fillets into finger-thick pieces, then season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large non-stick frying pan, then fry the lamb pieces for 2 mins on each side for rare or 3 mins on each side for medium. Tip the lamb into a colander with a bowl underneath to catch the juices, then leave in a warm place. TIP: When you cook lots of pieces of meat together, place them in the pan like points on a clock face - this makes it easy to remember which needs turning and removing from the pan first.
• Place the pan back on the heat and tip in the wine. Boil vigorously until reduced to a sticky syrup, then pour in 200ml of the chicken stock and any lamb juices from the bowl. Boil down until reduced by about half, then whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the chopped tarragon. Pour the sauce into a small bowl, then wipe out the pan with kitchen paper.
• Heat a drizzle of oil and add the turnips and onions. Sizzle until starting to brown, then sprinkle over the sugar and a pinch of salt. Cook, shaking the pan constantly, until the veg are caramelised. Add carrots, leeks and balsamic, bubble for a moment, then add the stock. Bring to the boil, add the peas and broad beans, then boil for a few mins until all the liquid has nearly evaporated. Turn off heat.
• To serve, dress each bowl by placing a few pieces of lamb on the base, spooning the smaller vegetables around the lamb and balancing the carrots and leeks on top. Pour the hot sauce over everything, scatter with tarragon leaves and finally drizzle with olive oil.

NAVARIN D'AGNEAU

Steps:

• Halve the lamb steaks and cut off any excess fat. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil over a medium heat in a large flameproof casserole that has a tight-fitting lid. Fry the lamb until it 'seizes' - it should be a little coloured all over but not charred. Bring a kettle of water to the boil.
• Transfer the lamb to a plate and rinse out the casserole. Add the veg (but not the spring onions) and cover with boiling water. Season and cook for 15 minutes, then drain into a colander over a bowl. Measure 450ml/16fl oz of the cooking liquid, crumble in the stock cube and stir to dissolve.
• Mop the fatty juices from the lamb with kitchen paper. Heat the remaining oil in the casserole over a medium-high heat. Add the lamb, season and sprinkle with the flour, then stir for a minute. Tip in the stock, wine, onions and herbs and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low, cover and cook gently for 1 hour, stirring a few times.
• Add the veg and stir well, cover and cook for a further 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. (Cool then freeze for up to 1 month or keep chilled for up to 24 hours.)
• Lift out the meat and veg into a warm serving bowl.With the casserole over a low heat, stir in the cream, grate in the lemon zest and squeeze in the juice. Adjust the seasoning, spoon over the lamb and veg, sprinkle with herbs and serve.

STIR-FRIED NOODLES

Steps:

• Cook the noodles according to pack instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan, then stir-fry the ginger, garlic, carrot, pepper and mangetout, sugar snap or frozen peas over a high heat for 2-3 mins.
• Drain the noodles thoroughly, add to the pan with the onions and beansprouts, if using, then stir-fry for 2 mins.
• Mix together the soy sauce and vinegar, stir into the pan, then cook for 1-2 mins. Divide between individual plates or bowls and serve immediately.