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Maple-Balsamic Braised Wagyu Spareribs
Slow-braised ribs with a savoury sauce, a little maple sweetness and fresh thyme. Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables.
Serves: about 2 · Time: about 3½ hours
Ingredients
- 800 g Wagyu spareribs
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Approximately 400 ml lamb or beef broth (homemade broth above works well)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 150°C / 300°F. Pat the ribs dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Brown the ribs in a heavy, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Remove and pour off excess rendered fat, leaving a little for the onion.
- Sauté the onion until softened. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, broth and thyme. Scrape up the browned bits, then return the ribs to the pot. The liquid should reach roughly halfway up the meat; adjust as needed.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover tightly and braise in the oven for approximately 3 hours, checking from 2½ hours, until fork-tender.
- Remove the ribs and thyme stems. Skim excess fat from the sauce and simmer to thicken. Taste, adjust seasoning and spoon over the ribs.
Garlic, Thyme & Sage Roasted Half-Leg of Lamb
A classic roast with garlic, lemon and a modest touch of sage. Slice at the table and serve with the roasting juices.
Serves: about 4 · Time: varies by size; use a meat thermometer
Ingredients
- ½ lamb leg
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 4 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 onion, thickly sliced
- A splash of water or broth, plus more for the pan juices
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Mix the garlic, oil, lemon zest, thyme, sage, salt and pepper.
- Rub the mixture over the lamb. Place on the onion slices in a roasting dish and add a splash of water.
- Roast for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven to 170°C / 340°F.
- Continue roasting until the centre reaches 63°C / 145°F, measured in the thickest part away from the bone. Begin checking after about 1 hour total, or earlier for a small piece. Weight, shape and bone content determine the cooking time.
- Transfer the lamb to a board, loosely cover and rest for 15–20 minutes before carving.
- Remove excess fat from the roasting juices. Add a little water or broth and scrape up the browned bits, using stovetop heat only if your roasting dish is stovetop-safe. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve with the lamb.
Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Garlic-Thyme Butter
A smaller Thanksgiving centrepiece, finished with fragrant butter, lemon and fresh parsley. Lovely with roasted potatoes or squash.
Serves: 1–2 · Time: about 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 lamb chops
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Pat the chops dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chops for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
- Lower the heat and add the butter, garlic and thyme. Spoon the foaming butter over the chops, keeping the garlic from burning.
- Check for an internal temperature of 63°C / 145°F, away from the bone. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and the chopped parsley.
A note on cooking: Times are guides; thickness, weight and ovens vary. Use a food thermometer. Cook ground beef and raw beef, pork and lamb sausages to 71°C / 160°F. The whole-cut lamb recipes above use 63°C / 145°F followed by a rest of at least 3 minutes.
Fresh herbs: Divide the herbs among the dishes you choose to make. Parsley adds freshness, thyme suits roasting and braising, and sage is especially lovely with pork, apples and the roasted lamb leg.