Cabernet-Braised Lamb Shoulder

Michael Scelfo, Russell House Tavern•Updated: June 8, 2015 8:34 pm EST

Russell House Tavern serves this braised lamb shoulder over potato & parsley gnocchi and tops the dish with a soft poached egg

Cabernet-Braised Lamb Shoulder

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Prep Time

30

minutes

Cook Time

4

hours

Servings

8

servings

Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fennel seed
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 [5-pound] boneless American lamb shoulder roast
• 2 apples
• 6 cloves garlic
• 6 shallots
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 botle cabernet
• 4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 6 fresh bay leaves
• 8 sprigs rosemary

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix the fennel seed with 2 tablespoons of the oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the lamb.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Add the lamb shoulder and brown it well over moderately high heat, about 20 minutes. Transfer the lamb to a large plate. Wipe out the casserole.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of oil back into casserole and brown apples, garlic, shallots, carrot, & celery.
4. Return the lamb to the casserole. Add the wine, chicken stock, bay leaves and rosemary sprigs and bring to a boil. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and transfer the casserole to the oven. Braise the lamb for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, turning the meat occasionally, until tender.
5. Transfer the lamb to a large platter and cover with foil. Discard the vegetables, rosemary & bay leaves sprigs. Simmer the braising liquid until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 50 minutes.
6. Remove the strings from the roast. Slice the lamb, transfer to plates or a platter and spoon the sauce on top.