Oswald Rivera

Author, Warrior, and Teacher

Category: lamb and goat (page 2 of 4)

EASTER LAMB DISH

April 7, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Easter is upon us once more, and it brings back memories of the Easter meals back on the block. In Spanish Harlem it was either pernil (roast pork shoulder) or lamb. In my family, we preferred lamb (we had the pernil at Christmas). I didn’t find out about roast Smithfield ham for the holiday (as is popular in some Anglo households) until I left the block and my horizons expanded.

Today, lamb is still our favored dish for this time of year, and I’m always on the lookout for unique ways to prepare it. The recipe given below is Glazed Leg of lamb. The recipe itself is simple enough: we make slits in the lamb and stuff it with slivers of garlic; then we marinated it overnight in a mix of salt, pepper, turmeric and olive oil. When the lamb is roasted, the glaze used is a mix of apple jelly, rosemary and lemon juice. We serve the dish with sweet potatoes (yams). It makes for a great Easter meal or, for anytime you want that special leg of lamb extravaganza.

GLAZED LEG OF LAMB

Ingredients:

Leg of lamb (about 5 pounds)
3 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers
1 tablespoon turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup apple jelly
½ teaspoon rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup butter
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 pound sweet potatoes, washed, peeled and cut into chunks

Instructions:

  1. Day before cooking, rinse lamb under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. With a sharp knife make several slits in the lamb. Stud the slits with garlic slivers.
  2. In a small bowl, combine turmeric, salt, pepper and olive oil. Brush mixture over entire leg of lamb. Wrap lamb in aluminum foil, place in fridge and marinate overnight.
  3. Next day, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  4. Place lamb in a shallow roasting pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes per pound or until a meat thermometer registers 175 degrees for medium doneness.
  5. Meanwhile, combine jelly, rosemary and lemon juice in small saucepan. Brush on lamb during last hour of roasting time.

BAKED YAMS

  1. Combine butter, brown sugar and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Stir and cook over low heat until well blended.
  2. Pour butter mixture over sweet potatoes and arrange around lamb; and continue baking for the last 30 minutes of roasting time. Arrange on a serving platter and serve.
    Yield: 6 or more servings.

SHALLOT BUTTER SAUCE

March 1, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Here’s a treat: a sauce that can accommodate both meat and fish. We have it in Shallot Butter Sauce. Also, it’s so simple and so refined, it will transform a lowly pork chop or lamb chop, not to mention a fist steak, into a glorious dish. All you need is three basic ingredients: shallots, butter and a bit of white wine. That’s it. You can serve the dish with whatever accompaniment you like, be it rice, pasta or potatoes. We, in the Rivera clan, like it with a good hearty loaf of bread to sop  up the sauce as you enjoy the lamb  or pork chops (or fish).

The other thing that needs discussion is the time factor in terms of the item used with this sauce, I like to cook pork chops at an oven temperature of 375 degrees F.  It take about  25 minutes to cook depending on thickness. Some cooks prefer a 400 degree oven because it cooks faster. But I find that at the lower temperature, pork chops remain  tender and juicy rather than drying out. The same for Lamb chops. They take about 35-40 minutes to cook at 375º and 8-10 minutes at 400º.  Note that the longer baking time will give you a well done product. In my family we like chops well done. If you want medium or rare, then the baking time will be less. For fish steaks, it’s another story. It’ll be 25-30 minutes at 375º and 15-20 minutes at 400º.  How long to cook or how tender you want the product will be up to you.

SHALLOT BUTER SAUCE

Ingredients:

3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
½ stick butter (or more to taste)
3 tablespoons white wine, dry or sweet (your preference)

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan or skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  2.  Add shallots and cook, stirring until onion is soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  3.  Add wine and cook 3 minutes more.
  4.  Pour over 4 pork chops, lamb chops or fish steaks and bake in a preheated oven until tender (see above).
    Yield: 4 servings.

STEAMED LAMB CHOPS

December 22, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Steaming is a process well known in cooking. Our Chinese brethren have used it for centuries for cooking fish and chicken. But how about steaming meats like, let’s say, lamb?  I had some round bone chops on hand and I decided to give it a try, and it came out really good.

If you have a steamer, this recipe is a cinch. A wok also works. If you don’t have such an appliance, then you must improvise. I used a large skillet with high sides, placed a 5 oz. tuna fish can on the bottom, placed the seasoned lamb chops on  a plate atop the can and that became my steamer.  You can use a large sauce pan as well.  What’s the old saying about necessity being the mother of invention? Most times it’s true.

As noted, I used round bone lamb chops. Boneless will work just as good, if not better. I’m sure the recipe will work with with pork chops. I haven’t tried it with steak and, honestly, I don’t know if it will come out as good, You’re welcomed to try, and let me know the results. Also, for this recipe I used a seasoning mix of olive oil, cumin and coriander. You’re encouraged to experiment with whatever seasoning combination desired, be it  a simple combo of olive oil, salt and pepper, or anything else for that matter. The trick is to be creative (within reason).

STEAMED LAMB CHOPS

Ingredients: 

4 lamb chops of choice, 8-12 ounces (or more)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Rinse lamb chops under running water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2.  Brush with olive oil and season both sides well with coriander and cumin. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Place on a plate and  put dish inside the steamer. Put enough water to cover the bottom of the pan or skillet, being sure not to use too much or it might spill into the dish. Heat the water to  a fast boil, cover and steam lamb for approximately10 minutes or until tender. The steaming time will vary depending on the thickness of the meat. Boneless lamb chops will cook faster than bone-in. Serve immediately.
    Yield: 4 servings.

LAMB CHOPS WITH ROSEMARY

October 24, 2022 / / 0 Comments

One of my favorite meals is lamb chops. Thus I’m always looking for unique ways to prepare it. Well, it so happens that I still have  some fresh rosemary left from my summer garden. So, I came up with this recipe. It’s really simple: lamb cooked with the aforementioned rosemary,  some parsley, wine and butter. I also coupled it with one of my favorite grains, farro, that high-protein, high-fiber ancient grain that is similar to barley and is very prominent in the Mediterranean diet. I particularly like its nutty flavor and chewy texture. Farro is relatively easy to cook. Just rinse 1 cup farro in cold water before cooking. Add 2 cups water to a pot or saucepan and bring to a boil. Add farro, cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 25 minutes or until all of the water is absorbed. As you can see, it cooks just like rice. And like rice, I like to add a chicken bouillon cube to the water or cook it in  chicken broth. Let me add, it goes great with lamp chops cooked with rosemary.

LAMB CHOPS WITH ROSEEMARY

Ingredients:

4 lamb chops about 1½-inches thick
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
¼ cup red wine
3 tablespoons butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan or skillet and brown chops over medium-high heat. Turn heat to low and cook to desired doneness, about 7 minutes per side for medium. Remove  to a warm platter.
  2. Add rosemary, parsley and wine to original pan. Heat to boiling and reduce slightly. Stir in butter. Return lamb to pan, and coat with sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at once.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

IRISH LAMB STEW

October 19, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This is my version of Irish Lamb Stew. And we serve it with parsley dumplings; which is nothing more than a variation on Puerto Rican domplines.  In my version of the stew, I eliminate the browning of the lamb. I just put all ingredients in the pot and let it cook until the lamb is tender. I found that this saves time and gives the stew a flavor all its own.

IRISH LAMB STEW

Ingredients:

4 pounds lamb chuck, cut into cubes
2 carrots, washed, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 onions, peeled and quartered
2 potatoes, quartered (wash but do not peel)
4 whole black peppercorns
1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions:

  1. Place lamb in a stew pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
  2.  Skim foam from top. Lower heat and add remaining ingredients. Simmer, covered for 60 to 70 minutes or until lamb and vegetables are tender. Serve with parsley dumplings (see recipe below).
    Yield: 8 servings.

PARSLEY DUMPLINGS

Ingredients:

½ pound flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¾ teaspoon baking powder
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon olive oil
Water as needed
½ cup minced parsley

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper and baking powder.
  2. Beat eggs and olive oil together and add to flour mixture. Stir until blended with enough water to make a soft dough, usually about half cup. Stir in parsley.
  3.  Form dumplings, using about a tablespoon of dough in palm of hand. Drop dumplings into pot of boiling water. Cook until they expand, about five minutes. Remove with slotted spoon. Arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle with additional parley. Place on stew and enjoy.

GRILLED KEBABS

September 6, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This past Labor Day we did what countless other Americans did, we barbecued. In this case, it was grilled kebabs (or kebob, if you want). This is a very straight-forward meal. When we cook kebabs, we brush the meat with an olive oil-cumin mixture. You can also add ground dried chili if you want to spice it up a bit.  In addition, we added some chopped cilantro leaves for garnish.

When we grill kebabs, we prefer lamb; but you can use beef or pork, if that’s your desire. In case you get rained-out, or the weather is not cooperative, the dish can also be prepared by broiling indoors. Either way, have fun.

GRILLED KEBABS

Ingredients:

1 pound lamb or other meat, cut into chunks
1 pound cherry tomatoes or bigger tomatoes cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 large onion, peeled and cut into chunks
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 coarsely ground dried chili, optional
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leave

Instructions:

  1. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 minutes. Heat a charcoal or gas grill. If you are using charcoal or briquettes, be generous, you want a broad fire.
  2.  Thread meat and vegetables alternately on skewers. Mix olive oil and cumin, and brush on the meat and vegetables. Sprinkle with half of the chili and some salt and pepper. Let the kebabs sit while grill heats up.
  3.  When fire is hot but not scorching, place kebabs on grill. Brush them with the olive oil-cumin mix  once or twice as they cook. Grill until they begin to brown and become tender, about 10-15 minutes. Place on a serving  platter and sprinkle with remaining chili. Sprinkle with cilantro for garnish, and serve.
    Yield: 4 servings.

 

LAMB SHOULDER ROAST

August 11, 2022 / / 0 Comments

In the Puerto Rican cooking pantheon one of the most renowned dishes is Pernil or Roast Pork Shoulder. It is a holiday treat usually served with rice and pigeon peas. Recently we had a lamb shoulder on hand, and the idea occurred to prepare it the same we do pernil; and it came out great.

Since this is lamb and not pork, I tweaked it a bit by adding herbs that would enhance the natural flavor of lamb. Also, I added assorted vegetables along with a broth that contains either red wine or rum. The red wine gives it a milder flavor, the rum gives it a sweeter flavor, your choice. Still, the recipe adheres to our Nuyorican tradition. So, if you want that special dinner, this is it. Family and guests will love you for for it.

LAMB SHOULDER ROAST (Nuyorican Version)

Ingredients:

Lamb Shoulder Roast, 3½-4pounds
4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon turmeric
2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano or 1 tablespoon dried
1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon fresh chopped marjoram or1 teaspoon dried
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
½ cup red wine or dark rum
3 onions, peeled and cut into wedge
3 zucchini (yellow or green or a combination of both), cut into ½-inch chunks
½ cabbage, rinsed, patted dry and cut into wedges
bunch of fresh spinach, rinsed and patted dry

Instructions:

  1. Wash lamb under cold running water, and pat dry with paper towels.
  2.  With a sharp knife make various slits in the fat and meat of the shoulder. Stud the slits with garlic slivers.
  3.  Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper. Combine 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and turmeric and brush the lamb with the mixture.  Season with the oregano, dill and marjoram. Place in a zip-lock bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  4.  Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive  oil in a large skillet or fry pan. Sear lamb over high heat on all sides.  Lower heat to medium, pour in wine or rum. Bring liquid to boil, cover and simmer (on medium-low heat) for 45 minutes. Arrange  onions, zucchini and cabbage around lamb and simmer, covered, for another ½ hour. Stir in spinach and cook 5 minutes more.
    Yield: 4 servings.

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB

July 11, 2022 / / 0 Comments

This recipe could be called grilled half leg of lamb since that’s what I used this time for the lamb. I happened to have a half leg on hand, and it seemed a perfect summer day for grilling. Let me add that, in the recipe given, you can also used a butterflied leg of lamb. Let’s say 4-pound butterfly leg.  Note that when grilling the lamb, use indirect heating so that it doesn’t char and the interior cooks to perfection.

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB

Ingredients:

Half leg of lamb, about 2-2½ pounds
1 cup dry red wine
2 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
¼ cup chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Wash lamb under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels
  2. In a bowl,  whisk together the red wine, garlic, rosemary, mustard and olive oil. Put the red wine mixture and the lamb in a greaseable plastic bag.  Turn the bag several times to be sure all the lamb is coated with the liquid. Refrigerate overnight.
  3.  Preheat the grill to indirect heating. If using coals, arrange them in a circle, leaving the middle empty. If using a gas grill,  light the burners on one side of the grill.
  4.  Remove the lamb from the bag and discard the leftover liquid. Generously season the lamb with salt and pepper.
  5.  Place the lamb on the grill away from direct heat, either in the center of coals or on the opposite side of the grill. Close the lid. Cook the lamb until a thermometer registers 140 degrees F. in the center of the meat, or to desired doneness, about 10 to 15 minutes per side.
  6.  Remove lamb from the grill and let it rest on a serving platter for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with favorite grilled vegetables such as zucchini and/or potatoes.
    Yield: r4 servings.

SARCHICHA CON CEBOLLA Y UVA (Sausage with Onion and Raisins)

May 31, 2022 / / 0 Comments

In Nuyorican cuisine it is common to add raisins to certain meat recipes.  Think of pasteles (root plants stuffed with meat) and carne guisada (beef stew). We also add it to sausage. In this case the recipe given: Sarchicha con Cebello y Uva (Sausage with Onion and Raisins).  This is a simple dish to prepare. It’s just sausage cooked with onion and raisins, to which we add garlic, salt, pepper and a little white wine, that’s it. Normally, we pair this dish with white rice. In my family we like it with potatoes or bianda (root plants like cassava, pumpkin, green bananas, etc.). This time around we serve it on a bed of steamed cabbage and parsley potatoes and it was great.

Be aware that we refer to sausage as “sarchicha.” I’ve been informed that this is a colloquialism.  If you look it up in an English-Spanish dictionary, it refers to sausage as “embutidos.” Back on the block, we never beard of this embutidos thing. To us it was always sarchicha or sarchichas (plural). And that’s what we call this recipe, end of story.

In Latino culture, the sausage used would be chorizo, the spicy Spanish version. But you can substitute beef, pork, chicken or turkey sausage. In my family, we are partial to lamb, and that’s what is used in this recipe. Look, even if it’s Libby’s canned sausage, you’re still gonna love this dish.

SARCHICHA CON CEBOLLA Y UVA
(Sausage with Onion and Raisins)

Ingredients:

2 pounds fresh kielbasa lamb sausage
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced into thin rings
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons black raisins or more to taste
Salt and black ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup dry white wine

Instructions:

  1. Remove sausage casing if it has such. Rinse sausage links under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Then sliced into 1/4-inch rounds.
  2.  In a large skillet or fry pan, heat olive oil and butter. Add sausage and onion. Stir fry on medium-high heat until sausage is browned and onion is soft. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more.  Season with salt and pepper.
  3.  Stir in raisins and cook for 2 minutes. Lower heat, cover and simmer 4 minutes.
  4.  Add wine to pan and cook over high heat, stirring, until most of the wine has been absorbed. Serve immediately.
    Yield: 4-6 servings.

EASTER LAMB (Greek Style)

April 13, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Here we are: it’s Easter again. In the past I’ve done various posts for Easter, all featuring the traditional Easter Lamb. I’ve done a post on lamb Nuyorican Style (03/29/10); a lamb shanks version (03/28/13); and Easter Lamb with Pineapple (04/13/17).

This time we’re doing Easter Lamb Greek Style. Just like back on the block, lamb is the traditional dish among Greeks and Italians. This recipe I got years ago from a Greek friend. Just another way of preparing a very popular dish, and a very delicious one.

EASTED LAMB (Greek Style)

Ingredients:

1 leg of lamb, 6-7 pounds
2½ tablespoons lemon juice
1½ tablespoons salt or more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ tablespoons oregano
1 large garlic clove, peeled and slivered
1 tablespoon turmeric
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 large potatoes, cut in quarters, or 18 small ones
1 cup hot water
4 large carrots cut into chunks about ½-inch thick
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced

Instructions:

  1. Night before, wash lamb and place on a large sheet of aluminum foil to cover lamb (may have to use 2 sheets). In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon oregano. Rub this mixture well  over meat. With a  knife, cut small deep slits on top and bottom of lamb. Insert garlic slivers in each slit. Then brush with a mix of the turmeric and olive oil. Place lamb in the fridge and let it marinate overnight.
  2.  Next day, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash potatoes and drain (do not peel).  Set aside. Place lamb in a roasting pan, fat side up and bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Add water, carrots and onion. Lower heat to 325 degrees and continue roasting 3 hours. Turn meat.
  3.  Sprinkle potatoes with remaining lemon juice, salt, pepper and oregano. Arrange potatoes around lamb and continue roasting until potatoes are browned on all sides and meat is tender. Arrange lamb on a large serving platter and surround with potatoes and carrots. I’m told that in Greek cuisine this dish is served with plenty of green salad.
    Yield: 6 servings.
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