Lamb Shoulder with Mint Chutney

This is the last of the series of recipes I have developed for JamieOliver.com and his series of ’10 recipes to save your life’. Slow cooked Lamb Shoulder with a mint chutney is probably one of my most cooked meals when entertaining a crowd as it can be prepared ahead and requires little time of me in the kitchen once the guests arrive (I hate missing out). This makes it a timely recipe ahead of the festive season and one I know you are just going to love.

The chutney is optional but highly recommended. We make it spicy, but you can always leave out the chilli if spice isn’t your thing. It does seem to loose some of it’s spiciness when combined with the lamb (my kids handle a two chilli chutney fyi).

Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.

Lamb shoulder with Mint Chutney

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 4 hours

Total 4 hours 15 minutes

 

One of my all time favourite meals, this slow cooked Lamb Shoulder is a firm family favourite. The fresh Mint Chutney is so worth a little extra effort, it takes the lamb to another level.

Ingredients

• 1 lamb shoulder (1.5-2kg approx.) bone in (if it has the shank attached, have your butcher cut the tendon at the base so it doesn't pop up when it is cooking and pierce the foil)
• 1 lemon, halved and bases trimmed so they can sit flat, flesh side up
• 6-7  small cloves garlic, peeled and halved (or quartered if large)
• ⅔ cup water

Baste

• 2 tablespoons  rosemary leaves, chopped finely
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Grind black pepper, to taste

Mint Chutney

• Large bunch of mint (cup firm packed), leaves picked off the stems
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1-2 red chillies, whole
• Pinch sea salt
• Juice one lemon
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 250℃/480℉.
2. Prepare the baste by mixing all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
3. Place the lemon halves in a large roasting tray, flesh side up.  Sit the lamb on top of the lemons (so the lemon acts like a rack).
4. Pierce the flesh of the lamb with a pairing knife 12-14 times. Push the slivers of garlic into the holes.
5. Rub the lamb with the marinade and add the water to the bottom of the tray.
6. Now cover with foil making sure the edges are sealed well. I use at least 3 pieces of foil and tuck it under the tray so it is firmly sealed. The lamb needs to steam to make it fall apart when it's done. Any gaps in the foil it can dry out so take your time and seal it carefully.

7. Put it in the oven and immediately turn it down to 150℃/ 290℉. Cook for 4 hours.

8. Whilst that's cooking make the chutney by combining the mint, garlic, chilli and salt in a food processor and processing to a paste. Mix in the lemon juice and vinegar and store in the an airtight container in the fridge until the lamb is ready to serve.

9. When the lamb is ready, remove the foil and put it under the grill for 5-10 minutes or until the top is crispy.
10. Rest the lamb for a few minutes before serving with the mint chutney and tongs to pull apart the meat.

Variations

Serve

I love this with a big fresh salad or steamed veggies simply dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. My ebook 'Well Nourished - Sides and Salads' has plenty of fabulous accompaniments to this delicious meal - it's a bargain at $9.95. Check it out HERE.

Garlic-free

Replace the garlic in the baste with 1 tsp of cumin powder and a good pinch of chilli flakes. Replace the garlic (that's inserted into the meat) with pieces of anchovy fillets. Omit the garlic in the mint chutney.

 

I'd love to hear how you like this, one of my families all time favourite meals. Post a comment below or rate this recipe.

Course: Main Course