Best Braised Leg Of Lamb With Olives And Celery Root PurÉe Recipes

BALSAMIC-BRAISED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Cut the leg of lamb into 4 even pieces.
• Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil in an 8-quart stovetop pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the lamb pieces and bones all over with salt and pepper. Working in batches (to not overcrowd the pot), sear the meat and bones in the hot oil until well browned on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside. Pour off excess oil from the pot and then add the garlic, fennel, jalapenos, onions and red bell peppers. Sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze with the beef stock and balsamic vinegar. Add the seared lamb and bones back the pot, close the pressure cooker and cook on low heat until fork tender, 45 minutes.
• Remove the lamb from the braising liquid and pull into large chunks. Remove the bones from the pot, and discard. Strain the braising liquid and then add it back to the pot. Cook over medium heat until the liquid is reduced by half. Turn off the heat, add the lamb back to the pot and spoon the reduced liquid over the top to glaze. Keep warm until ready to serve.

BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH CELERY ROOT PURéE

Steps:

• To prepare the lamb: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Rub the lamb with 1 tablespoon of oil, and season it with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the stock and wine to a boil; allow to reduce for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the carrots and parsnips, 1/4 teaspoon salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, rosemary, sage and bay leaf. Turn off the heat and add just enough stock to cover the vegetables. Place the lamb, fatty side up, on top of the vegetables.
• Transfer the pot to the oven, uncovered, and cook for 25 minutes. Then add the remaining stock, cover the pot and reduce heat to 325 degrees. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, at a bare simmer, reducing heat if necessary, then turn the lamb over. Cook 1 1/2 hours longer and turn the lamb over again. Uncover the pot and stir in the olives. Cook another hour, turning the lamb after 30 minutes. At this point the lamb should be soft enough to cut with a serving spoon. If not, cover the pot and continue to cook until it is.
• After the lamb has cooked for about 3 hours, prepare the celery root purée: In a large saucepan, combine the celery root, peeled garlic cloves and bay leaves. Pour in 12 cups water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, discard the bay leaves and transfer the celeriac and garlic to a food processor. Add the butter and nutmeg; process until very smooth. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Keep warm.
• Just before serving, mash the finely chopped garlic and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to form a paste. Stir it into the lamb's pan juices.
• To serve, make a bed of celery root purée on each plate. Cut the lamb with a serving spoon, and lay some of it over the celery root, along with some vegetables and pan juices.

BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the lamb and season with salt and pepper.
• In a large pot (with a tight-fitting lid), add the oil and heat it over a high flame.
• Place the lamb in the pot and let it sear on all sides until golden brown (about 12-15 minutes).
• Remove from the pot and drain off all of the oil except for 2 tablespoons.
• Add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the wine to the pot and reduce by ¾.
• Place the lamb back into the pot and cover completely with chicken stock; bring to a simmer (about 15 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Put the lid on the pot and place in the oven, and cook for 3 hours.
• Add the carrots, celery root, rutabaga and cippolini onions to the pot and cook for 1 more hour, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
• Remove the lamb and place it on a serving platter.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables and arrange them around the lamb.
• Strain the remainder of the sauce and put it back in the pot; reduce by 3/4 (approximately 20 minutes) until thickened and richly flavored.
• Season with salt and pepper.

BRAISED LEG OF LAMB WITH OLIVES AND CELERY ROOT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Rub the lamb all over with 1 tablespoon of oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a medium saucepan, over medium high heat, and bring the stock and wine to a boil and let reduce for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven, over medium heat.
• Add onions to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add carrots, parsnip, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, rosemary, sage and bay leaf; turn off heat and add enough stock to just cover the vegetables.
• Place the lamb, fatty side up, on the vegetables, and place in oven for 25 minutes.
• After 25 minutes, add remaining stock, cover pot, and reduce heat to 325 degrees F; cook 1 1/2 hours (pot should barely simmer, reduce heat, if necessary).
• Turn lamb over and cook an additional 1 1/2 hours, covered.
• Turn lamb over again, uncover pot and stir in olives; cook another half hour, turn lamb, and cook, uncovered a half hour more or until lamb is soft enough to cut with a spoon!
• Meanwhile, after the lamb has cooked about 3 hours, start the puree.
• In a large saucepan, combine celery root, peeled garlic, and bay leaves; pour in 12 cups of water and 2 tablespoons kosher salt.
• Turn burn to medium high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain, discard bay leaves, and transfer to a food processor.
• Add butter and nutmeg; process until smooth.
• Taste and add salt, if needed.
• When ready to serve, mash the minced garlic with 1/4 teaspoon salt to form a paste; stir into the lamb's pan juices.
• Serve with a bed of celery root puree, top with a piece of lamb, scatter some of the vegetables, and drizzle with pan juices.