麻豆约拍

This is simple dish that would be perfect for a Sunday lunch.听 The shanks are best cooked the day before & left to cool in the liquor.听 Swiss chard could be substituted with large leaf (but not baby size) spinach or even spring greens.听

Serves 4听

Prep time 10 mins

Cooking time听1 and a half to 2 hours听听

Ingredients

1 leek

1 onion, peeled

2 carrots

4 large lamb shanks

10 peppercorns

3 cloves garlic, lightly crushed

1 bay leaf

1 sprig fresh thyme

A little olive oil

A little clear honey

1 bunch Swiss chard

A squeeze of lemon juice

A good knob of butter

200g cooked (or canned & drained) chick peas

2 tbsp Gremolata (see recipe below)

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper听

Method

Roughly chop the leek, onion & carrots.听

Place in a large flameproof casserole with the shanks, peppercorns, garlic, bay & thyme.听

Cover with cold water, add some salt to taste, bring to the boil (skim off any scum) then cover & cook on a gentle heat for 11沤2 - 2hrs until the meat is very tender.听 Remove, cool & chill. (Remove any solidified fat from the surface.)听

Next day, remove the shanks & set aside.听 Strain the liquor & boil down until reduced to 200ml.听 Set aside.听

Heat the oven to 180C, Gas 4.

Brush the cooked lamb shanks with a little oil & roast for about 12 mins until piping hot & lightly browned.听

Remove, brush with some honey & return to the oven for another 5 mins.听 Remove & keep warm.听

For the chard, cut the stalks from the leaves & slice into 2cm lengths.听 Roughly slice the leaves.听

Boil the stalks first in salted water with the lemon juice for 4 mins.听听

Gremolata Recipe听

Makes about 80g听

Ingredients

100g flat leaf parsley

1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

Grated zest 1 lemon

About 3 tbsp olive oil

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper听

Method

1.听听听听Pick off the leaves of the parsley & place in a food processor or blender with the garlic & lemon zest.

2.听听听听Blitz for at least a minute gradually drizzling in the oil until you have a rough pur茅e.

3.听听听听Season with salt & pepper.

4.听听听听Store in a clean screw topped jar & use as required.

5.听听听听Chill until ready to use.听 Keeps for up to 1 week.

听

Nigel's Top Tip听

Store the Gremolata in a jar, as it'll keep for up to a week; it's lemon zesty hit will brighten up many a winter dish.