Slow-braised, Milk-fed Lamb Shoulder With A Saffron Sauce And Cumin Roast Potatoes

Slow-braised, Milk-fed Lamb Shoulder With A Saffron Sauce And Cumin Roast Potatoes
  • Author: Vivek Singh

This recipe features slow-braised, milk-fed lamb shoulders marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, then roasted to perfection. Accompanying the succulent lamb skewers are crispy and fragrant cumin potatoes, served with a rich saffron sauce drizzled over the top. The final touch of edible gold leaf adds a touch of elegance to this impressive dish. Enjoy the delightful combination of tender lamb, aromatic spices, and crispy potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.

— Constant Cookbook

Ingredients

  • 2 lamb shoulders
  • 2 tbsp red chilli powder
  • 5 tbsp ginger
  • 6 tbsp garlic
  • 250ml/9fl oz malt vinegar
  • 500g/1lb 2oz plain yoghurt
  • 3 onions
  • 2 tsp royal (black) cumin
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • oil, for greasing
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 3 cinnamon
  • 5 green cardamom
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp chaat masala
  • edible gold leaf (for decorating)
  • 1kg/2lb 4oz Maris Piper or King Edward
  • 100g/3½oz duck fatvegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp whole cumin
  • 1 tbsp crushed chilli
  • , to taste sea salt
  • 2 tbsp chopped coriander
  • 4 tbsp single cream
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • pinch saffron
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

Instructions

  • For the slow-braised, milk-fed lamb shoulder, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
  • With the tip of a sharp knife, cut small incisions in the lamb shoulders at approximately 5cm/2in intervals.
  • Mix together the red chilli powder, ginger paste, garlic paste, vinegar, yoghurt, fried onions, royal cumin and salt, then massage them over the lamb, rubbing and pressing the spices into the knife cuts. Set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Put the shoulders in an oiled roasting tin. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon and green cardamom, and then cover the tin with foil. Place in the oven and braise for 2½ hours, or until the meat is very tender and ready to fall of the bone. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Remove the shoulders from the liquid and allow them to dry. Pass the liquid through a fine sieve and reserve to make the sauce.
  • Take the meat off the bone and cut into 5cm/2in cubes. Thread them on to 8-10 metal skewers and roast on a barbecue or under a very hot grill, basting frequently with the melted butter, until crisp and well browned. Finish with a drizzle of lemon juice, any leftover melted butter and the chat masala.
  • For the cumin potatoes, put an empty roasting tin in the oven (one big enough to take the potatoes in a single layer) and preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
  • Drop the chopped potatoes into a large pan and pour in enough water to barely cover them. Add salt, then wait for the water to boil. As soon as the water reaches a full rolling boil, lower the heat, and simmer the potatoes uncovered, reasonably vigorously, for two minutes.
  • Meanwhile, put your choice of fat into the hot roasting tin and heat it in the oven for a few minutes, so it’s really hot.
  • Drain the potatoes in a colander and shake the colander back and forth a few times to bruise and fluff up the outsides. Sprinkle with the cumin and chilli flakes, and give another shake or two so they are evenly and thinly coated. Carefully put the potatoes into the hot fat – they will sizzle as they go in – then turn and roll them around so they are coated all over. Spread them in a single layer making sure they have plenty of room.
  • Roast the potatoes for 15 minutes, then take them out of the oven and turn them over. Roast for another 15 minutes and turn them over again. Put them back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or however long it takes to get them really golden-brown and crisp. The spices will speckle the potatoes.
  • For the saffron sauce, bring the reserved cooking juices to the boil in a small pan and simmer until the volume of liquid has reduced and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper if needed and stir in the cream, garam masala, saffron and fresh coriander.
  • To serve, pour the sauce over the meat skewers and sprinkle over edible gold leaves for decoration. Scatter the potatoes with more salt and chopped coriander and serve straight away.

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Prep Time

PT30M

Yield

Serves 8-10