05 December, 2012

lamb, not mutton.

lamb on buns

boneless leg of lamb
salt/pepper
African spice blend
olive oil

dried black mission figs
red wine
caramelized onions
fresh chevre cheese

buns, (preferably small and dense enough to handle the juice)

  • take 2-3 lb boneless leg of lamb out of 'sock', it usually is comes boned and rewrapped in a cotton netting, salt and pepper and rub with an aromatic african spice blend: cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, fresh ginger and garlic, cumin, sumac, cayenne. coriander...etc coat in olive oil( 3 tbsp)  tie into dense bundle and place in hot oven, reduce heat to 300 F and roast to medium/med rare. for maybe 1 hour or more,  to an internal temp of 120 F or less. rest and slice.
  • prepare fig compote by reconstituting figs in warm red wine for 2 hours or more, salt pepper , maybe a little honey. bring to boil on stovetop, reduce heat to simmer and cook until soft, puree and hold.
  • carmelize onion by heating slowly to a dark brown and sticky consistency(30+ minutes)
  • to serve, warm buns, place 2-3 oz sliced, warmed lamb on on bun, dollop of both compote and caramelized onion , add a knob of fresh goat cheese and serve open faced.

23 November, 2012

thanksgiving 2012

menu
entree: roasted spatch-cocked*  whole chicken  with herb stuffing, including bacon and meatballs(my 7 yr old son's idea)

sides: roasted asparagus
          bacon braised green beans
          pureed sweet potatoes
          garlic mashed potatoes
          cranberry relish
          pan gravy

wine: 2011 dearly beloved table red, central coast California

* this is an actual term for  a semi, de-boned bird, drumsticks and wings are left intact. the breast bone ,ribs, spine and thigh bones are removed.
recipes and procedures to follow.

       



06 June, 2012

summertime, a reason to cook for friends

i'm ready for jasmine lime green tea, roasted vegetable ratatouille, and maybe some over-cooked meat on the hibachi.  i'll get to that stuff in a little bit.
 i don't feel like writing, i should at least shoot out a photo. i'll find one later.

good afternoon