Lamb Cutlets Reform Recipes

Alexis Soyer invented this dish at the Reform Club - maybe the late arrival of a tricky and hungry club member, as well as an ingenious chef who had to make the most of what he had in his kitchen, might explain the creation of this somewhat strange concoction. But the tangy sweet and sour sauce works and is one of Soyer's best-known dishes. It's in danger of becoming a forgotten classic, but I think it's worth reviving. I suppose it goes back to the days of disguising inferior cuts of meat - the gentleman's club equivalent of the fish finger or fried chicken in a basket! The recipe has been altered over time - but this is pretty close to the original. I wouldn't suggest using cheap meat of course, but coating the cutlets in breadcrumbs keeps them juicy and seals in the flavour. It is best to keep the garnish separate, so it can be eaten as it is or mixed into the sauce. About Alexis Soyer: Celebrity chefs are nothing new. One who really was the Jamie Oliver of his time, was Alexis Soyer. He was involved with charity work as well as being a popular figure on the culinary circuit, chef de cuisine of the Reform Club and author of many cookery books. During the potato famine of 1847 he went to Ireland to help victims by setting up soup kitchens - he claimed he could provide 100 gallons of soup for £1 including expenses. Like high-profile chefs today he was often asked to cook for large numbers at prestigious events and in June 1838 rose to the challenge of cooking breakfast for 2,000 people for Queen Victoria's coronation. He designed the Reform Club's kitchens, installing advanced technology gas ovens, which became a bit of a tourist attraction and source of envy among his peers.

Provided by French Tart

Categories     Ham

Time 35m

Yield 4 Reform Cutlets, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

• Ingredients

Nutrition Facts : Calories 269.4, Fat 18.1, SaturatedFat 9.6, Cholesterol 154.8, Sodium 630, Carbohydrate 15.5, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 4.6, Protein 11.5

Reform sauce is piquant and deliciously seasoned with herbs and spices. It was invented in the 1830s by Alexis Soyer. At the time he was Chef de Cuisine of the Reform Club in London's Pall Mall, a favourite meeting place for politicians after Parliament. The club still exists with Lamb Cutlets Reform a popular item on the menu.

Provided by Millereg

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 cutlets, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

• Ingredients

Nutrition Facts : Calories 461.6, Fat 28.2, SaturatedFat 9.5, Cholesterol 68, Sodium 479.2, Carbohydrate 41.8, Fiber 11.6, Sugar 3.3, Protein 12