Culinary Bliss

I watched a new series on BBC Two HD last night, viz. Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food.

Generally I stopped viewing cookery programmes several years ago. I simply got bored of them, though I do watch Hairy Biker "repeats" occasionally.

However, I'm glad I recorded Tom Kerridge's show.

This large chef (a good sign!) is truly inspirational and this is reflected in the fact that his pub ~ The Hand and Flowers ~ has two Michelin stars.

I drooled when I watched him preparing the slow roasted lamb shoulder with thinly-sliced potatoes and onion.

He cooked it in the oven at a mere 130c for five or six hours and the lamb literally fell off the bone.

Here's the recipe:

Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with boulangère potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 6 large waxy potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 bunch thyme, leaves picked
• salt and black pepper
• 1 whole lamb shoulder
• 1 garlic bulb, peeled and separated into cloves
• 568ml/1 pint chicken stock
• cooked French beans (or other green vegetables), to serve

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 130C/275F/Gas 1.
   
2. In a bowl combine the onions, potatoes and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
   
3. Layer the potatoes and onions in a roasting tin and place the lamb on top skin-side up.
   
4. Cut small incisions in the lamb using a small knife and stick the whole garlic cloves in the holes, pushing them into the meat to prevent them burning while the meat cooks.
   
5. Pour the chicken stock over and place in the oven for 4-5 hours, or until the potatoes are crisp on top and soft inside.
   
6. When cooked, remove the lamb from the oven, cover with aluminium foil and set aside to rest for 20 minutes.
   
7. Serve with French beans (or any green vegetable of your choice).