Balsamic Braised Leg Of Lamb Recipes

BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH CELERY ROOT PURéE

Steps:

• To prepare the lamb: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Rub the lamb with 1 tablespoon of oil, and season it with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the stock and wine to a boil; allow to reduce for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the carrots and parsnips, 1/4 teaspoon salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, rosemary, sage and bay leaf. Turn off the heat and add just enough stock to cover the vegetables. Place the lamb, fatty side up, on top of the vegetables.
• Transfer the pot to the oven, uncovered, and cook for 25 minutes. Then add the remaining stock, cover the pot and reduce heat to 325 degrees. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, at a bare simmer, reducing heat if necessary, then turn the lamb over. Cook 1 1/2 hours longer and turn the lamb over again. Uncover the pot and stir in the olives. Cook another hour, turning the lamb after 30 minutes. At this point the lamb should be soft enough to cut with a serving spoon. If not, cover the pot and continue to cook until it is.
• After the lamb has cooked for about 3 hours, prepare the celery root purée: In a large saucepan, combine the celery root, peeled garlic cloves and bay leaves. Pour in 12 cups water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, discard the bay leaves and transfer the celeriac and garlic to a food processor. Add the butter and nutmeg; process until very smooth. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Keep warm.
• Just before serving, mash the finely chopped garlic and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to form a paste. Stir it into the lamb's pan juices.
• To serve, make a bed of celery root purée on each plate. Cut the lamb with a serving spoon, and lay some of it over the celery root, along with some vegetables and pan juices.

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300ºF/150ºC
• Season the lamb well with salt and pepper.
• In a Dutch Oven or heavy bottomed saucepan with a lid, brown the lamb shanks in one tablespoon olive oil on a medium high heat. Turn occasionally until they're golden, for around 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the shanks to a plate and sprinkle them with the flour.
• In the same heavy based pan, cook the onions, carrots, celery and garlic over a low heat until soft - around 10 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic.
• Add the balsamic vinegar and wine to the pan, bring to the boil and reduce down until the liquid thickens somewhat, around 5 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, bring to the boil and carefully lay the lamb shanks back into the sauce.
• Cover with a lid, transfer to the oven and cook for 2 to 2½ hours or until the lamb easily pulls apart with a fork.
• Serve with a garnish of scattered parsley and/or sliced chili, if desired.

LAMB CHOPS WITH BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• In a small bowl or cup, mix together the rosemary, basil, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub this mixture onto the lamb chops on both sides. Place them on a plate, cover and set aside for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place lamb chops in the skillet, and cook for about 3 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare, or continue to cook to your desired doneness. Remove from the skillet, and keep warm on a serving platter.
• Add shallots to the skillet, and cook for a few minutes, just until browned. Stir in vinegar, scraping any bits of lamb from the bottom of the skillet, then stir in the chicken broth. Continue to cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced by half. If you don't, the sauce will be runny and not good. Remove from heat, and stir in the butter. Pour over the lamb chops, and serve.

ROSEMARY BALSAMIC LAMB WITH VEGETABLE MASH

Steps:

• Put the celeriac, swede and potato in a large steamer, then steam for 25 mins until softened.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the onions for 10 mins until softened and golden. Push to the side of the pan, then add the lamb and rosemary and stir-fry over the heat until browned, but still a little pink in the middle - try not to overcook it as it will become tough and will need a longer cook to become tender again. Add the bouillon and balsamic vinegar with 200ml boiling water. Stir to make a sauce.
• Mash the steamed veg and spoon half into the centre of two plates. Top with half the lamb and gravy, scatter with the parsley and serve with the spinach and peas. Chill the remaining lamb and veg to reheat and serve on another evening.

WINE-BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. Place lamb in large roasting pan. Rub all over with half of minced garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place halved heads of garlic around lamb, cut side up. Scatter 1 bunch thyme over and around lamb. Roast lamb 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Boil wine in large saucepan for 5 minutes. Pour wine around lamb. Cover and roast until lamb is very tender, about 2 hours 45 minutes longer. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, uncovered, 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm, covered, in 350°F oven for 30 minutes before continuing.)
• Transfer lamb and heads of garlic to platter. Tent with foil. Using slotted spoon, remove thyme sprigs and garlic skins from pan juices. Place roasting pan over medium-high heat on stovetop. Bring juices to boil. Add butter and remaining minced garlic. Boil until juices thicken slightly, about 12 minutes. Season jus with salt and pepper. Slice lamb; spoon jus over.

BALSAMIC LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Combine all but the lamb.
• Trim fat from lamb and marinade in above up to 24 hours.
• Foil line a baking pan, place lamb on a rack in pan.
• Roast at 450 F for 20 to 30 minutes until thermometer reads 140 F (for rare).
• Tent with foil and let stand 10 minutes.
• Serve with pan juices.