Soupy Greek Lamb Shoulder
Four and a half hours in white wine and tomato until the shoulder gives up entirely. Risoni in the bottom of the bowl, lamb and all that soupy sauce over the top. Optional: wine. Not optional: napkins.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1.5kg lamb shoulder, bone in
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 carrot, cut into 1cm cubes
1 onion, cut into 1cm cubes
1 celery stick, cut into 1cm cubes
1 teaspoon sea salt
6 garlic cloves, smashed
2 cups (500ml) white wine
400g tin crushed tomatoes
1 small bunch rosemary
250g cherry tomatoes
250g risoni
gremolata, to serve
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180C.
Brown the lamb fat side down in a cold dutch oven over medium high heat for 10 minutes, until golden. Remove and set aside.
Wipe the pan, add the oil and saute the carrot, onion, celery and salt for 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes more.
Increase the heat to high and deglaze with half the wine. After a minute, add the remaining wine and the crushed tomatoes. Fill the tomato tin with water and add that too. Bring to a simmer.
Add the rosemary sprigs and place the lamb on top. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the lamb.
Cover with a baking paper cartouche and a tight fitting lid, and bake for 4 1/2 hours.
Shortly before serving, cook the risoni according to the packet instructions.
Serve in large open bowls with the risoni first, topped with the lamb and sauce, and finished with gremolata.
HINTS
Start the lamb fat side down in a cold pan. It renders as the pan heats instead of seizing, and you get a better crust for less effort.
The cartouche under the lid is what keeps it soupy. Without it, too much liquid escapes and you end up with a braise rather than a broth.
Cook the risoni at the last minute. It keeps absorbing liquid once it is drained and turns claggy if it sits.
NUTRITION (per recipe total, serves 4 - guide only):
Protein: 300g
Fat: 290g
Saturated fat: 130g
Carbohydrates: 230g
Sugars: 30g
Fibre: 20g
Sodium: 2500mg
This nutrition information is a guide only and may vary depending on brands, exact quantities, and ingredient substitutions used.