Boneless Cushion of Lamb with Festive Stuffing
Boneless Cushion of Lamb with Festive Stuffing
Serves: to serve 6
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Ready In: 1 hr 55 mins
ingredients
FOR THE STUFFING
3 oz - prepared minced (ground) meat
3 oz - fresh breadcrumbs
1 - grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon - freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
FOR THE LAMB
about 3 lb - lean boneless cushion of lamb shoulder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large - red onions
½ teaspoon - whole cloves
FOR THE GRAVY
1 pint - lamb stock
¼ pint - mulled wine
4 level tablespoons - plain flour
3 oz - prepared minced (ground) meat
3 oz - fresh breadcrumbs
1 - grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon - freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
FOR THE LAMB
about 3 lb - lean boneless cushion of lamb shoulder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 large - red onions
½ teaspoon - whole cloves
FOR THE GRAVY
1 pint - lamb stock
¼ pint - mulled wine
4 level tablespoons - plain flour
directions
- Prepare the stuffing... Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice. Mix the minced meat (ground meat), breadcrumbs, lemon zest and lemon juice together and set aside.
- Peel the onions, cut them in half and randomly 'pin' the cloves in the onion halves. Place these in the base of a non-stick roasting tin.
- If your lamb has been prepared but not stuffed, remove the butcher's string (or elasticated meat bands), unfold the meat and season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. With skin side down, spread the stuffing mixture evenly inside the joint, but do not overfill. Re-secure the cushion with new butcher's string or elasticated meat bands. (If the joint was stuffed by your butcher, simply deason it with salt and freshly ground black pepper.)
- Weigh the joint and place on top of the onions, then drizzle with the oil. Add the stock and wine. Cover the joint with aluminium foil and roast in a preheated moderate oven (Mk 3 - 325ºF - 170ºC) for about 1½ hours (see below for calculated times), basting occasionally. 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time remove the foil and return the lamb to the oven.
- Remove the lamb and the onions from the roasting tin, transfer to a warm platter, cover with foil and keep warm. Meanwhile, make the gravy... Spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and discard. Place the roasting tin over a medium heat and sprinkle in the flour. Stir well with a small whisk or spoon, scraping the base of the pan to release any rich, meat sediment. Once you have a smooth paste, stir in the lamb stock and mulled wine (best if you warm them first). Adjust the seasoning to taste and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until reduced to a well-flavoured gravy. Strain before serving with the lamb, seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes.