A HEARTY lamb roast will be on the menu for many people this Easter but that does not mean you can’t mix up the tradition a little.
We Love Our Lamb has teamed up with Nelly Robinson of nel. in Sydney to create a lamb roast with a modern twist that Robinson said was simple to recreate at home.
“Tradition is entrenched in Easter celebrations, so I’ve stayed true to the classic flavours of a lamb roast but updated it with fresh sides including pumpkin mash and a delicious and light yoghurt-based sauce,” he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The slow-roasted lamb falls right off the bone and will be sure to impress your guests.”
Nelly Robinson’s 4-Hour Lamb Shoulder with Mint, Pumpkin, Chargrilled Broccolini and Black Sesame Yoghurt
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 3-4 hours
Serves: 4 people
INGREDIENTS
LAMB SHOULDER
1 oyster blade lamb shoulder
(approx. 750g)
150g mint
150g rosemary
100g olive oil
1 tbsp salt
500ml vegetable stock
250g water
PUMPKIN MASH
1 butternut pumpkin, skinned and diced into 2cm cubes
3 sprigs thyme
1 garlic clove, sliced thinly
1 shallot, peeled
150ml vegetable stock
150ml milk
ROAST SWEET POTATOES
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 8 pieces
100ml olive oil
100ml veg oil
2 sprigs rosemary
2 cloves garlic
CHARGRILLED BROCCOLINI
1 bunch broccolini
100ml olive oil
BLACK SESAME YOGHURT
150g black sesame seeds
3 tbsp honey
500g yoghurt
1 lemon juiced
Salt
METHOD
1. Lamb: Set oven to 155C. In a blender, add the mint, rosemary, salt and oil. Blend to a paste. Rub on the lamb and place in a deep tray. Pour the water and stock into the tray and place in the oven for 3-4 hours, until the meat falls from the bone.
2. Black sesame yoghurt: In a small pan roast the black sesame seeds, being careful not to burn them, remove from the pan and cool. Once cooled, place them in a blender, add honey and blitz until smooth. Combine the yoghurt, lemon and salt in a bowl and add the blended paste. Set-aside until serving.
3. Pumpkin mash: In a pot, add a little oil and heat. Add the shallot, garlic and pumpkin and cook on a medium heat for 2-3 mins, making sure not to add any colour. Add the thyme and cook for another 1-2 mins. Add the stock and milk and cook slowly for 10 mins. Once cooked, drain excess liquid off and mash. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Roast sweet potatoes: Place the sweet potato in a pot of salted water and boil until just cooked. Drain the water and shake the pot to give the sweet potato some rough edges that will crisp nicely when roasted. Place in a deep tray with the oil, garlic and rosemary and put in the oven at 230C for 10 minutes. Turn and cook for another 10 mins until crispy.
5. Chargrilled broccolini: While the sweet potato is cooking, put a pot of salted water on the stove and bring to the boil. Place the broccolini in and cook for 3 mins then run under cold water to stop them cooking. To chargrill, cook the broccolini either on the BBQ or in a pan on high for 8-10 mins, turning occasionally until charred and tender. Pour some olive oil over and toss in a bowl with salt to serve.
COOKING TIPS
For a quick and easy alternative to the black sesame yoghurt, you can use a good quality Greek yoghurt and stir in some honey, lemon and salt.
To save time on the pumpkin mash, put the pumpkin, stock and milk in a pot for 15 minutes then mash and season.