Spring Lamb With Minted Gravy Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and fry the shallots, carrot and celery for 7-10 mins, or until deep golden brown. Tip in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Pour in the wine and stir to combine everything, then simmer on a low heat for a few minutes, or until the wine has reduced by half. Add the rosemary and bay leaf, then gradually stir in the lamb stock. Simmer for 30 mins, uncovered.
• Strain the gravy through a fine sieve into a clean saucepan. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and simmer on a low heat until thick and glossy, about 15-20 mins. Will keep frozen for three months.

Steps:

• Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary, and rub the herbs into the surface of the lamb. Arrange rosemary sprigs on the bottom of a roasting pan. Lay lamb rack(s) over sprigs. Let meat come to room temperature before roasting.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Roast lamb, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 125 degrees (for medium-rare). Let rest on a cutting board.
• Put turnips in a wide medium saucepan over medium heat and cover with 1 inch of water. Season with salt, add butter and bring to a brisk simmer. When turnips are fork-tender, about 5 minutes, add greens and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 more minutes. If desired, bring the water to a boil and let evaporate. Let turnips brown slightly in the remaining butter, if you like.
• Cut lamb racks into 4 thick chops or 8 thin chops, slicing between the bones.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Use a sharp knife to make little slits all over the lamb, then insert a slice of garlic into each hole. Tip the onions and carrot into a large flameproof roasting tin, then place the lamb on top and season. Pour 250ml water into the base of the tin and roast in the oven for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, make the crust by mixing together all the ingredients and seasoning well. Remove the lamb from the oven and turn the heat down to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Brush the lamb all over with the mustard, then pack on the crust in a thick layer - don't worry if any falls in the tin, this will be used in the gravy later (you probably won't use the entire crust, so set aside what's left for later). Return the lamb to the oven and cook for a further 1 hr 30 mins. Check the lamb during cooking and add more water to the base of the tin if it dries out.
• Remove the lamb from the tin, cover lightly with foil and leave to rest for 30-40 mins - if covered too tightly, the crust will go soggy.
• To make the gravy, put the roasting tin with the vegetables still in it directly on the heat and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 min, then add the wine, scraping any flour from the bottom of the tin. Let it bubble for 1 min, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 10-15 mins until thickened, stirring in a little of the reserved crust for a thicker gravy. Strain the gravy through a sieve into a pan, discarding the vegetables left in the sieve. Add mustard to taste and stir through the butter. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Starting 2-3 days BEFORE cooking, purchase spring lamb.
• At Easter time, it's a good idea to order it from a butcher in advance.
• Have the butcher take the bone out AND remove the gland, but tell him NOT to tie it.
• Ask for the string so you can tie it at home after marinating.
• At home, rub the lamb well, inside and out with the combined marinating ingredients.
• Roll up lengthwise and use the butcher's string to tie it up by tying lengths of string every 2-3 inches.
• Marinate the lamb for two days before cooking.
• On the day of cooking, plan on 2 hours of roasting time.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place lamb in roasting pan and roast (uncovered) for 20 minutes and then reduce heat to 250°F and continue baking for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meat thermometer should reach 140°F.
• Remove lamb from oven and let rest, covered in foil, while making gravy.
• Make one quart of brown gravy using a good quality beef base and diluting it with 3 1/2 cups hot water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and thicken with roux.
• Add the sherry and butter, whisking to blend well.
• Season with salt and pepper and stir in the mint jelly, stirring until melted.
• Serve with lamb.
• For roux: Melt 4 tbsp butter in saucepan over medium heat, and add 4 tbsp flour.
• Stir constantly with wooden spoon about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• (See "roux" search if you need further details).