An aromatic and light take on a traditional hotpot, created with British heritage breed lamb for outstanding flavour.
Method
First, rub 2 lamb henrys with my favourite spice, ras el
hanout, a North African blend of up to 50 spices including rose
petals, cardamom and coriander (you can find this in most good
delicatessens).
Next, break the garlic cloves once and massage with a splash of
olive oil into the lamb, then marinade overnight.
The following day, chop 2 large onions and soften them in olive
oil in an earthenware pot, big enough to hold the lamb.
Add the flesh from 4 plum tomatoes. To do this, plunge the
tomatoes in boiling water for 10 seconds then refresh in ice cold
water, the skin should then easily peel away, then cook the
tomatoes to a pulp with the onions and the zest of a lemon.
Next, add 300ml of light chicken or vegetable broth, bring to a
simmer then reduce by a third. Thicken with a tablespoon of
cornflour mixed with cold water and stirred into the hot
broth.
Separately fry the lamb on all sides until golden and
caramelized, then add the lamb to the broth and cover with a tight
fitting lid. Cook in the oven for 3 hours on 140ºc, the meat is
perfectly cooked when it falls apart with tenderness.
To finish, add a handful of roughly chopped fresh mint and
basil leaves to the pot.
Serve in deep bowls with plenty of the aromatic juices and a
bowl of cous cous or steamed rice on the side.