Braised Pag Lamb Shoulder

Braised Pag lamb shoulder with olive oil mashed potatoes and grilled baby leeks

The wonderful Croatian island of Pag, best known for its eponymous sheep’s milk cheese, also (and unsurprisingly) produces absolutely stunning lamb. This is a great winter’s dish, with the meat falling off the bone and packing a flavourful punch, thanks to both the hint of acidity from the vinegar and the richness of the Plavac Mali, the superstar red wine of the Croatian islands.

Prep Time 10 minutes 

Cooking Time 4 hours 15 minutes

 

Lamb shoulder

1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) whole shankless lamb shoulder

2 tablespoons olive oil

120 g (1 cup) whole French shallots

5 garlic cloves, crushed

1 bottle Plavac Mali red wine (or Zinfandel, Primitivo or any medium/full-bodied red wine)

125 ml (½ cup) red wine vinegar

1 sprig thyme

1 sprig rosemary

2 bay leaves

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil mashed potatoes

800 g (1 lb 12 oz) potatoes, whole and unpeeled

200 ml (generous ¾ cup) olive oil

Grilled baby leeks

20 baby leeks

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

 

Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F).

Season the lamb shoulder well with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep flameproof casserole dish over high heat for 2 minutes. Carefully add the lamb shoulder and brown all over. Remove the lamb and set aside.

Turn the heat to low, add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened.

Return the lamb to the dish and cover with the red wine and vinegar. Add the thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. Cover the casserole and cook in the oven for 3½ hours or until the lamb is very tender.

Remove the lamb and cover with foil in a warm place. Strain the liquid through a sieve and return the cooking juices to a saucepan over low heat. Simmer the liquid until it reduces to a sauce consistency, then keep warm.

Meanwhile, to make the olive oil mashed potatoes, place the potatoes in a large deep pan of cold water and boil until cooked through. While still hot, peel the potatoes and purée in a food mill or mouli. Beat in the oil and season with salt.

To make the grilled baby leeks, trim the roots of the leeks, brush with olive oil and season with salt. Place on a hot grill and cook for 1 minute on each side.

Serve the lamb on a platter with the sauce, olive oil potato mash and baby leeks.

—Serves 4