Thin Sliced Lamb Recipes

THIN-CUT LAMB SHOULDER CHOPS IN A SKILLET WITH SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim the fat from the outside edges of the chops. Salt them on both sides lightly, using 1/4 teaspoon. Spread the flour on a plate or on a piece of foil; dredge the chops in it on both sides to coat lightly, then shake off the excess flour.
• Put the oil and butter in the skillet, and set over medium-high heat. As the butter foams, lay the chops in the pan. Fry them on the first side for 2 minutes, then flip them over and fry for 2 more minutes-the meat should only be light brown; if chops are darkening too fast, lower the heat.
• Scatter the garlic in empty hot spots in the pan. Cook for a minute, stirring the slices until they're sizzling, then drop the anchovy bits into the hot spots and stir as they heat and melt away. Shake the skillet and sprinkle the peperoncino in the hot spots, and give them a minute of sizzling.
• Turn the meat over, so the first side is down again. Fry for 2 minutes-shaking the pan now and then-and flip over once more; by now there should be some nice caramelization on the meat.
• Spill the vinegar into the hot spots; shake the pan and tilt it to distribute the juices all around; sprinkle another 1/4 teaspoon salt all over. After about 2 minutes, turn the meat pieces again.
• Now plop the mustard into several different hot spots; shake and stir and caramelize it for a minute.
• Turn the meat one more time-it will be getting darker-and pour the broth into the skillet. It should come well up the sides of the meat, almost but not quite over the top. Get the juices boiling, then lower the heat to keep a lively bubbling simmer in the pan.
• Relax! Let the meat cook, the sauce thicken, and the flavors come together for 4 or 5 minutes. Taste the sauce-sprinkle in more salt if you like. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil all over to give the sauce more shine, if you want.
• When the sauce has become syrupy and looks the way you like it, sprinkle the parsley all over. Turn the meat once more, shake the skillet one last time, and take it off the heat.
• To serve, put a chop on a warm plate and spoon over some of the sauce.
• This intensely flavored dish beckons a mellow contorno, such as mashed or baked potatoes, or the Potato, Parsnip, and Scallion Mash (page 361).
• Polenta (page 215) would also be quite nice, or riso al salto (page 233), would be delicious to mop up the sauce.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut slits in the top of the leg of lamb every 3 to 4 inches, deep enough to push slices of garlic down into the meat. Salt and pepper generously all over the top of lamb, place several sprigs of fresh rosemary under and on top of the lamb. Place lamb on roasting pan.
• Roast in preheated oven until the lamb is cooked to your desired doneness, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Do not overcook the lamb, the flavor is best if meat is still slightly pink. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.