Tune in to Food Friday this week, when Chef Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, will join us in the studio to talk about Easter brunch!
Chef Brian Alberg uses lamb from Lila Berle, who has been raising sheep in the Berkshires for many years. He makes sausages from the remaining meat after preparing this dish. Serve over polenta and garnish each dish with a thin slice of toasted multigrain bread.
Braised Lila’s Lamb
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces (about 4 slices) bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, sliced
¼ cup dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in water for 10 minutes, then rough chopped
1 can (about 15 ounces) diced plum tomatoes
1 bunch fresh kale, stemmed, leaves cut into strips
1 sprig fresh rosemary
¼ cup Madeira wine
1 quart chicken stock
1. Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper.
2. In a large, flameproof casserole, heat the oil over high heat. Add the butter and when it melts, brown the lamb, turning occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. Lower the heat to medium-high. Add the bacon, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until the vegetables start to brown.
4. Add the porcini, tomatoes, kale and rosemary. Return the lamb and any juices on the plate to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to dry.
5. Add the wine and stock. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cover the pan. Simmer for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and the sauce begins to thicken. Remove the lid and simmer for 15 minutes or until the sauce is thick. Serve and enjoy.
Note: This can be made ahead and cooled in the cooking liquid, then reheated the next day.
