Spanish-style slow-cooked lamb shoulder & beans
Ingredients
- 2.5kg Lamb Shoulder
- 1 tblsp Olive Oil
- 2 chopped Onion
- 4 Chopped Carrots
- 1 Whole Garlic Bulb
- 500ml Chicken Stock
- 1200g Butter Beans
- 450g Roasted pepper
- 300g Black Olives
- 4 tablespoons Parsley
- 4 Cloves Garlic, Crushed
- 1 tablespoon Hot smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Rosemary
Instructions
- Combine the paprika, rosemary, crushed garlic and a generous pinch of salt to make a spice mix. Slash the lamb shoulder all over with a sharp knife and rub in the spices. If time allows, cover and marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours, though this is optional.
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan). Heat the olive oil in a large flameproof casserole over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and whole garlic bulb and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to the boil.
- Add the lamb to the pan, cover with a lid or foil and transfer to the oven. Cook for about 2 hours, until the meat is beginning to pull away easily.
- Remove the lid and lift the lamb onto a plate. Stir the butter beans, roasted peppers and black olives into the cooking liquid. Sit the lamb back on top and return to the oven, uncovered, for a further 1 hour 30 minutes, until very tender.
- Transfer the lamb to a board and shred with two forks. Stir the chopped parsley through the beans and serve the lamb on top.
Tips
- Trim the thickest pieces of fat from the lamb but leave enough to keep the meat succulent during the long cook.
- Brown the lamb shoulder on all sides before adding it to the slow cooker to develop a rich, roasted flavor.
- Add the beans only in the last hour of cooking so they absorb the juices without turning into a mushy paste.
Variations
- White Wine Braise: Use a dry white wine instead of red for a lighter, more aromatic sauce.
- Rosemary and Garlic: Add extra rosemary and a whole head of garlic for a more herbal, pungent flavor.
Storage
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of simple steamed greens or roasted carrots.
- Provide plenty of crusty bread to mop up the lamb fat and bean-infused juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use lamb leg?
Do I need to soak the beans?
Is this a very heavy dish?
instructions_source: editorial-classic