Best Passover Inspired Braised Lamb With Dried Fruit Recipes

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB, SAM'S WAY

Grilled Leg of Lamb, Sam's Way image

This lamb recipe comes from a feast that Mark Bittman and Sam Sifton prepared in Charleston, S.C. They found good lamb and decided to cook it two different ways, braised and grilled, to bring different textures and flavors to the plate - and also to nod to the tradition of the paschal lamb in Jewish and Christian springtime traditions.

Provided by Mark Bittman And Sam Sifton

Categories dinner, barbecues, main course

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped fine
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 boneless leg of lamb, 5 to 6 pounds, butterflied
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 handfuls pecan shells, or wood chips, soaked in water

Steps:

Combine the garlic, rosemary and olive oil in a bowl. Season the lamb with salt and pepper, then massage with the garlic and rosemary mixture and put the meat in the bowl. Cover and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Allow it to come to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes. Meanwhile, build a fire in your grill, leaving 1/3 of the cooking area free of coals.
When the fire is hot, sprinkle the pecan shells or wood chips over the fire and place the lamb fat side down. Sear each side of the lamb for approximately 4 minutes each, then remove the lamb to the side of the grill without coals and roast, covered, for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
Tent in foil for 10 to 15 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 543, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 45 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 757 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH DRIED FRUITS

Braised Lamb Shanks with Dried Fruits image

Categories Fruit Lamb Braise Spring Kosher Gourmet

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

For marinade
2 cups dry white wine
5 tablespoons olive oil
4 shallots, chopped fine
4 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 leek (white and pale green part only), halved lengthwise, washed well, and chopped fine
a bouquet garni composed of 1 bay leaf, 1 fresh thyme sprig, and 1/4 bunch fresh parsley sprigs tied together in a cheesecloth bag
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
6 lamb shanks (about 6 pounds total)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped
2 cups water
4 tart apples such Jonathan
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
6 dried figs, chopped
6 dried pitted dates, chopped
6 dried apricots, chopped
2 tablespoons raisins
1 cup packed fresh mint leaves, washed well, spun dry, and shredded fine

Steps:

Make marinade:
In a 9- to 10-quart heavy ovenproof kettle whisk together marinade ingredients.
Add shanks to marinade and toss to coat. Marinate shanks, covered and chilled, at least 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Transfer shanks with tongs to a plate. Pat shanks dry and season with salt and pepper. Pour marinade through a sieve set over a bowl and reserve vegetables, liquid, and bouquet garni separately. In kettle heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and brown shanks on all sides in batches, transferring to a plate. Add reserved vegetables to fat remaining in kettle and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add vegetables to shanks.
Add flour to kettle and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, 3 minutes, or until golden. Whisk in reserved marinade liquid and add reserved bouquet garni, shank mixture, and tomatoes. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes, or until liquid is reduced by half. Add water and braise mixture, covered, in middle of oven 2 hours, or until lamb is tender.
While shanks are braising, peel and core apples and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices. In a large heavy skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook apples, stirring, 2 minutes. Add orange juice and simmer, covered, 20 minutes. Keep apple mixture warm.
Arrange shanks around edge of a large platter and spoon apple mixture into center of platter. Keep shanks and apple mixture warm.
Bring braising liquid to a boil, skimming any fat that rises to surface, and discard bouquet garni. Add dried fruits and mint and simmer sauce 5 minutes, or until fruits are softened. Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over shanks. Serve any remaining sauce separately.