Slow Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce and Buttery Mashed Potatoes

I love lamb, slow cooked, especially when accompanied by fresh mint sauce, mashed or baby potatoes and spring vegetables. For me this is the ultimate comfort dish and my favourite Sunday dinner when I was a child.

Mint Sauce
45 grams fresh mint leaves – very finely chopped
150 ml malt vinegar
2 tbsp unrefined caster sugar
Lamb and Vegetables
2 kg shoulder of lamb, bone removed
Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 sweet Spanish onion – peeled, halved, thickly sliced
1 large red onion – peeled, halved, thickly sliced
450 grams carrots – peeled and thickly sliced on diagonal
250 grams turnip – peeled and cut into large chunks
200 grams parsnip – trimmed, central core removed, thickly sliced
50 grams celery – washed, trimmed, finely chopped
4 small sprigs thyme – just the top 7 to 8 cm
450 ml hot chicken or lamb stock
100 ml good quality red wine
Minty Potatoes
1 kg King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 sprigs fresh mint
100 grams unsalted butter
Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper

Mint Sauce

  1. Chop the mint, transfer to a small bowl, reserve.
  2. Put the vinegar and sugar into a stainless steel saucepan (i.e. non reactive) over a low heat, bring up to a simmer while stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Pour into the bowl, stir until well blended; cover and put to one side.

Lamb/Vegetables and Potatoes

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC; 360ºF; gas mark 4.
  2. Season the lamb with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Heat a large flame proof casserole dish over a medium heat, when hot add the oil – brown the lamb all over, put to one side.
  4. Add the onions, gently fry over a medium-low heat until translucent, add the carrot, turnip, parsnip, celery and sprigs of thyme, fry for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
  5. Return the lamb, pour in the wine, bring to the boil then add the hot stock.
  6. Cover and cook in the preheated oven for 2 hours, or until the meat is fully cooked and tender.
  7. Put the potatoes and mint into a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil, reduce heat to medium, cook for 15 minutes or until tender; add the salt after 10 minutes.
  8. Meanwhile, remove from the oven, take out the meat – cover and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
  9. Transfer the vegetables to a dish, keep warm.
  10. Remove the herbs and pour the cooking liquid into a blender, process until smooth, reheat, taste and adjust seasoning if required; keep warm.
  11. When the potatoes are ready, drain through a colander, put through a rice, add the melted butter and whisk until blended; season to taste.

To serve

  1. Carve the lamb, place onto a serving dish, arrange the vegetables around the meat.
  2. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a large bowl – serve with the gravy and mint sauce.
  3. If preferred – cook small new season potatoes with the mint in boiling water until tender, adding the salt at the end of cooking – these can either be peeled or unpeeled, toss in a little butter before serving.

Store Cupboard Cottage Pie

I love the combination of beef and mushrooms in this recipe as the mushrooms do enhance the flavour of beef, adding cheese to the topping makes this flavourful recipe even more delicious. If liked, replace some of the stock with an organic ale, around 100 ml.

6 servings

1 tbsp olive oil
225 grams mushrooms – clean, trim and slice (if using frozen, allow to thaw first)
450 grams lean minced beef (if frozen, allow to thaw in the fridge, drain and rinse if using tins)
3 level tbsp plain flour
360 ml beef, chicken or vegetable stock (or water plus stock cubes/Knorr stock pots)
1 tsp sea salt (or 1/2 tsp salt)
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or mushroom ketchup (catsup)
450 gram pack mixed frozen vegetables**
Topping
680 grams prepared floury potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 cloves garlic – peeled and lightly crushed
100 ml milk
55 grams unsalted butter
100 grams mature white Cheddar cheese … grated (divided)
30 grams finely and freshly grated Parmesan cheese
** I use Tesco casserole vegetables
Optional (add at step 7 with the meat)
1 level tsp sweet Spanish paprika
1/2 level tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 level tsp dried oregano flakes

  1. Put the potatoes into a large saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil, add a large pinch of salt then reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the potatoes are tender … around 25 minutes.
  2. Drain through a colander, cover with a clean tea towel and allow to ‘steam’ then pass through a ricer (or mash, if preferred).
  3. Warm the milk and butter, when the butter melts into the milk mix into the potatoes along with 50 grams of Cheddar cheese. Beat, using a wooden spoon, until smooth and creamy.
  4. Put the olive oil into a large heavy based frying pan, when hot add the mushrooms and cook over a medium-high heat until a light golden colour, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  5. Brush a 2.75 litre ovenproof dish with butter, set aside.
  6. Preheat oven to 180ºC, 355ºF, gas mark 4.
  7. Add the minced beef (with any of the optional ingredients, if using), brown while stirring, breaking up the meat as it cooks then sift in the flour, stir until blended and cook for two minutes.
  8. Gradually add the stock while stirring until incorporated before adding the seasoning, tomato ketchup, mushroom ketchup or Worcestershire sauce, the mixed pack of vegetables and cooked mushrooms.
  9. Cook while stirring often for 5 minutes then transfer to the prepared dish.
  10. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the filling, spread evenly with a fork.
  11. Mix remaining Cheddar and Parmesan, scatter over the potato topping.
  12. Bake in the preheated oven for approx. 40 minutes or until tinged with gold.
  13. Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes, subject to preference, before serving.

Scottish Potato Scones and Lorne Sausages

These are great with a full Scottish breakfast, but if your appetite isn’t up to so much food on a morning try serving with Lorne sausage and fried eggs or buttery scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. These are Scottish style as I decided, in my ultimate wisdom, to add some freshly snipped chives as I intended serving these with scrambled eggs. Omit these if you prefer a plain scone.

The Lorne sausages would be great on bonfire night, serve in a bun or with jacket potatoes and beans flavoured with crispy bacon bits.

250 grams floury potatoes, Maris Piper or similar – unskinned
50 grams plain flour
1/4 level tsp baking powder
30 grams unsalted butter
Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 to 2 tbsp finely and freshly snipped fresh chives
Olive oil and butter, to cook the scones
Optional extras
3 large fresh organic eggs
100 grams good-quality smoked salmon
Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges

  1. The majority of recipes use peeled potatoes, cut into chunks, then cooked in salted water until tender. Instead, and in my opinion a much better option, buy potatoes that are all of a similar size. Scrub the potatoes clean under cold running water then place into a large saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. When the water is boiling add the salt, cook until tender. I generally lift one out using a slotted spoon and gently squeeze to test whether they are ready. Cooking time will depend on size … small ones should be cooked for around 20 minutes before checking … prick with a skewer to ensure they are tender.
  2. Drain, allow to cool then halve and remove the flesh, put through a ricer into a baking bowl (or mash if preferred), sift in the flour and baking powder (salt if using), mix well.
  3. Finely snip the chives, add to the bowl with the softened butter, mix using a wooden spoon until blended. Optional … add a little cheese. Season lightly with pepper and bring the mixture together using your hands.
  4. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface or board, roll out to 6 mm thick, cut into circles of approx. 15 cm then cut each circle into quarters and prick with the tines of a fork.
  5. Warm a little oil and butter in a heavy based frying pan or griddle, cook for about 3 to 4 minutes each side or until a light golden colour.
  6. Serve with bacon, sausage and fried eggs (Lorne sausage if you can source this product).

Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs

  1. Whisk the eggs and season lightly. Put a knob of butter into a frying pan, once bubbling take the pan off the heat and pour in the eggs and return to a low heat.
  2. Use a rubber spatula to take the cooked layer of egg off the bottom each times it forms … this enables the uncooked egg to run underneath and gives a nice texture. Don’t overcook, the eggs should be moist … remove from the heat when the eggs look as if they are ‘three quarters cooked’. They will continue to cook. Stir lightly and serve immediately on the potato scones, with a piece of smoked salmon, drizzle very lightly with a really good quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and serve with a wedge of lemon.

Lorne Sausages

These are lovely square sausages, absolutely fabulous and one of my daughter’s (and mine) favourite treats for breakfast. We discovered these long before moving to Scotland for a short time in 2007.

225 grams minced lean beef
225 grams sausage meat
85 grams fresh breadcrumbs
55 ml water
3/4 level tsp sea salt
3/4 level tsp ground coriander
1/2 level tsp black pepper
1/4 level tsp fresh ground nutmeg

  1. Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
  2. Line a loaf tin with clingfilm, transfer the mixture to the tin lightly pressing down, cover with clingfilm and wrap in kitchen foil.
  3. Chill in the fridge until firm then unmould and cut into slices.
  4. Either fry or grill and serve with a traditional Scottish breakfast or in a roll for lunch. Try serving with oven baked chips and baked beans flavoured with crispy pieces of bacon.

Simple Potato Gratin

1 lb 8 oz (680 grams) potatoes, well scrubbed
2 Marmande tomatoes
6 oz (170 grams) mature Cheddar cheese, grated – reserve 1 oz (28 grams) for the topping
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 fl oz (140 ml) whipping cream or a mixture of whipping cream and crème fraîche

  1. Brush an ovenproof dish with softened butter.
  2. Preheat oven to 180ºC, 355ºF, gas mark 4.
  3. Slice the potatoes very thinly (preferably using a mandoline), cover the base of the dish with a single layer.
  4. Add a layer of tomato followed by cheese, season with sea salt and pepper.
  5. Continue layering, ending with potatoes.
  6. Pour over the cream (or mixture or crème fraîche and cream), scatter reserved cheese over the top.
  7. Cook for 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.

Flash Fried Beef with Wild Garlic

I like to serve these with jacket potatoes sprinkled with a little sea salt flakes and organic unsalted butter or chunky oven chips (recipe at end of post), but they are also fabulous when served with mashed root vegetables or sweet potato mash accompanied by baby carrots and sweetcorn.

10 oz (285 grams) beef steak cut into strips (try freezing the steak before cutting)*
12 wild garlic leaves – wash roll lengthways and slice thinly (or fresh Spring garlic)
1 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Marinade
4 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp runny organic honey
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1 tbsp root ginger, finely chopped
6 fl oz (170 ml) extra virgin olive oil (I use late crop olive oil)
2 spring onions, white part only, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper

  1. *Slice the steak across the grain, or you risk the meat being tough.
  2. Place marinade ingredients into a large bowl, whisk to combine.
  3. Add the beef, cover and leave for 20 minutes then remove and pat dry with kitchen towel.
  4. Pour the olive oil in a large frying pan, when hot flash fry the beef strips.
  5. Remove from the pan and put aside (just fry until browned).
  6. Add in garlic leaves and stir fry until cooked, if you want the leaves caramelised, add a little sugar.
  7. Season to taste and serve with mashed root vegetables/sweet potatoes, baby carrots and baby sweet corn.

Chunky Oven Chips

3 large baking potatoes
Light and fruity olive oil
Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

  1. Peel the potatoes, cut into 1 cm wide slices, then cut each slice into 1 cm pieces.
  2. Lightly oil the roasting tin.
  3. Put the potatoes into a large bowl, drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
  4. Transfer to the prepared tin, season well.
  5. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until golden brown, crispy and tender in the centre.

Meatballs with Tomato and Vegetable Sauce

This recipe is great for children and adults alike, especially so for people who do not like the taste or texture of vegetables. Blitzing the sauces does get rid of this problem. I serve this dish with simple mashed or new season potatoes and bread to mop up the juices, spaghetti or tagliatelle … generally wholegrain, or make into a cottage pie style dish with either mashed potato or sweet potato topping.

If you cannot source belly pork mince then use a good quality pork sausage meat from the butcher.

300 grams belly pork mince
500 grams lean minced steak
1 small red onion – peeled and coarsely grated
1 medium sized carrot – trimmed, peeled and finely grated
1 to 2 tsp dried oregano
50 grams Parmesan – finely and freshly grated
1 medium sized fresh egg – lightly beaten
To cook
1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion – peeled and coarsely grated
1 banana shallot – peeled and coarsely grated
1 small yellow courgette – ends trimmed, coarsely grated
1 small green courgette – ends trimmed, coarsely grated
2 to 3 fat garlic cloves – pound, with pinch sea salt in pestle and mortar
Pinch unrefined sugar
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 x 400 grams tins chopped tomatoes (I use 800 grams very ripe fresh Italian plum tomatoes)
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt flakes
To serve
Cooked wholegrain tagliatelle or spaghetti
Small basil leaves
Freshly grated Parmesan
Fresh crusty bread
Require – large deep frying pan with lid

  1. Put all the meatball ingredients into a bowl, season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper, mix well (it´s easier to mix using your hands).
  2. Shape into walnut size balls, place onto a plate, cover and put into the fridge.

Sauce

  1. If using fresh tomatoes in the sauce, either halve and grate into a large bowl or remove the skin and blitz using a food processor or liquidiser; if using tinned – blitz and sieve.
  2. Warm the oil in a large deep frying pan; when hot add the onion, shallot, yellow and green courgette and garlic – cook for approx. five minutes while stirring occasional, or until soft.
  3. Stir in the sugar and vinegar, cook for one minute then add the tomatoes, cover and simmer for five minutes.
  4. Allow the sauce to cool a little then process until smooth – or to taste, using a liquidiser or stick blender.
  5. Return the sauce to the frying pan, season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, cover and simmer gently over the lowest heat setting while browning the meatballs.
  6. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, brown the meatballs in batches ensuring they are evenly browned.
  7. Add to the sauce – cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (and gently) or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Jersey Royal Roast Potato Salad

4 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion – peeled and sliced
2 banana shallots – peeled and sliced
3 lemon thyme sprigs
4 slices of pancetta (or streaky bacon)
900 grams whole unpeeled Jersey Royal potatoes – washed
6 whole unpeeled garlic cloves
2 tbsp Canadian pure maple syrup
Pinch salt and pepper
Garnish – 1 rounded tbsp finely chopped fresh lemon thyme leaves

  1. Preheat oven to 100ºC, 210ºF.
  2. Lightly oil a roasting tin, add the onions and shallots and season lightly; drizzle with remaining oil, add a sprig of thyme, cover the tin with foil and cook in the preheated oven until tender; approx. 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Leave to cool then separate into rings.
  4. At the same time, cook the pancetta – on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper, place a second sheet of paper over the top – for 15 minutes, or until crispy and golden – put to one side.
  5. Increase oven temperature to 180ºC, 355ºF, gas mark 4.
  6. Place a roasting tin in the oven to preheat.
  7. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until tender, drain well.
  8. Remove the roasting tin from the oven when hot, drizzle the oil over the tin and very carefully add the potatoes and garlic, plus a sprig of thyme.
  9. Return to the oven for approx. 5 minutes, or until a light golden colour – toss half way through.
  10. Remove from the oven, drizzle the syrup over the potatoes, add the onion, mix well then return to the oven for two minutes.
  11. Transfer to a serving dish, lightly crush the pancetta and scatter over the potatoes.
  12. Garnish with finely chopped thyme leaves.

Minted Lamb burgers with Oven Baked French Fries and Chilli Cucumber Relish

100 grams fresh spearmint (or other mint, to taste), leaves only
100 grams pitted black olives
1/2 red onion, peeled and quartered
100 grams bread crumbs
700 grams minced lamb, not too lean
To Serve
6 hamburger buns or try lightly toasted small ciabatta rolls
Chilli Cucumber Relish
3 Golden Gourmet shallots, peeled and finely sliced
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, quartered and finely sliced
2 fat garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 fresh red jalapeños chillies, seeded and finely chopped
1 tbsp finely grated ginger
4 tbsp white rice vinegar
Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

  1. Preheat the griddle to medium

Relish

  1. Place the shallots, cucumber, garlic, chillies and ginger into a bowl.
  2. Add the rice vinegar and toss to evenly mix the ingredients.
  3. Season to taste.
  4. Cover with cling film and refrigerate until burgers are ready.

Burgers

  1. Add the mint, black olives, red onion and bread crumbs to a food processor, pulse until well blended.
  2. Transfer to a large bowl, add the minced lamb and mix well to thoroughly combine.
  3. Mould the meat mixture, using your hands, into 6 patties and place on the hot, oiled griddle.
  4. Cook the patties for 6 to 7 minutes each side or to taste, depending on how thick the burgers are.
  5. Toast the buns then top with the burger and a little of the salad

Note

  1. Golden Gourmet shallot is mild tasting and a common ingredient used in casseroles and salads

Try serving accompanied by oven baked French fries with home made tomato ketchup.

Oven Baked French Fries

4 baking potatoes
1 dessert spoon (2 tsp) virgin olive oil
1 tsp sea salt flakes (I use Maldon)

  1. Preheat oven to 230ºC, 450°F, gas mark 8.
  2. Wash, peel and cut potatoes into even sized slices, cut each slice into fries.
  3. Place onto a clean tea towel and pat dry.
  4. Place onto a lightly oiled baking sheet in a single layer and lightly spray with the oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, turn and bake for a further 10 minutes, then turn again.
  6. Turn off the oven, leave for 5 minutes, remove and serve immediately.

Fresh Tomato Ketchup

1 kg whole ripe tomatoes – skinned, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 large onion – peeled and sliced
100 grams light soft brown sugar
155 ml apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic – crushed
1 tbsp tomato purée
1/2 tsp original French Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp ground mace
1/2 cinnamon stick *
4 whole cloves *
Bay leaf *
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns *
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

  1. Put the tomatoes and onion in a large, heavy based saucepan, stir.
  2. Cover, simmer, stirring occasionally for 60 minutes, or until soft.
  3. Push the tomatoes and onion through a sieve and return to the pan.
  4. Add the sugar, vinegar, garlic, tomato purée, mustard, ground all spice and ground mace.
  5. Put the items (marked *) in a piece of muslin and tie with string, add this to the pan.
  6. Simmer until thick, stirring often.
  7. When ready remove the muslin bag and check the taste, adjust if necessary and add seasoning to taste.
  8. Allow the ketchup to cool then decant into bottles and add the screw caps.
  9. Store in the refrigerator.

Sweet Potato Scamorza Pizza

Scamorza is an Italian cheese similar to mozzarella with a fresh milky flavour, traditionally made from buffalo milk but now produced using cows’ milk (ewes’ milk versions are available in the South East of Italy). The cheese has a distinctive pear shape due to the way the cheeses are hung during the ripening process. The cheese has a creamy colour; the smoked version (Scamorza Affumicata) has a golden/brown rind.

Alternately, use any combination of smoked/unsmoked cheese, either/or Scamorza/Mozzarella.

One 30 cm ready rolled pizza crust
20 ml (4 tsp or 2 dessert spoons) virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
2 medium sized sweet potatoes
100 grams Scamorza affumicata – sliced
100 grams unsmoked Scamorza – sliced
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
To dress – aged balsamic vinegar

  1. Preheat oven to 220ºC (425ºF, gas mark 7).
  2. Peel the potatoes, slice very thinly using a mandoline then rinse under cold running water and pat dry with kitchen paper towel (if preferred, cook the whole unpeeled potatoes in boiling water for about 4 minutes, drain then allow to cool and remove the skin – thinly slice using the mandoline – the potatoes should not be tender as they may disintegrate while slicing).
  3. Pound the garlic and olive oil – using a pestle and mortar – to a paste, brush over the pizza crust.
  4. Arrange the two types of cheese around the base then top with a layer of sweet potatoes.
  5. Brush with olive oil (or melted butter if preferred), sprinkle with the herbs.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for approx. 18 to 22 minutes – or until the potatoes are tender, the crust crispy and browned – baking time will depend on how thinly you slice the potatoes.
  7. Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving.

Multi Coloured Potato and Vegetable Salad

4 cups small potatoes, preferably multi-coloured
1 banana shallot – peeled and very finely chopped (reserve half for the dressing)
1/2 long Spanish red pepper – trimmed, seeds removed, chopped
1/2 long Spanish yellow pepper – trimmed, seeds removed, chopped
1 small green courgette – trimmed and diced
1 small yellow courgette – trimmed and diced
55 grams tinned sweetcorn kernels – drained and rinsed
55 grams frozen peas – cooked according to pack instructions, drained
Dressing
50 ml English apple cider vinegar
1.5 tsp Dijon original or wholegrain mustard
1 clove garlic – peeled and finely chopped
85 ml fruity virgin olive oil (we use late crop from Andalucia)
1/2 tsp Maldon sea salt flakes and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Garnish
Herbs – finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves and chives

  1. Wash the unskinned potatoes under cold running water using a soft bristle brush, leave whole.
  2. Cook the potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until fork tender.
  3. Drain, place the colander over the saucepan and cover with a tea towel; leave for five minutes then cut into bite sized pieces.
  4. While potatoes are cooking warm a little olive oil in a large frying pan set over a medium heat.
  5. When hot, add half of the chopped onion – cook for one minute then add the bell peppers – cook for another minute.
  6. Finally add the courgette – cook until softened while stirring often.
  7. Transfer the potatoes, sweetcorn, peas and cooked vegetables to a salad bowl, toss until evenly distributed.

Dressing

  1. Whisk the vinegar, mustard, chopped garlic and shallot.
  2. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking to an emulsion – add the salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Pour over the potatoes and vegetables, toss gently to combine.
  4. Serve while warm (or chilled), garnished with the chopped herbs.