Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Shallots and White Wine

★★★☆☆
Serves: 8 Origin: Contemporary

Ingredients

  • Lamb
  • 1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in lamb shoulder, or 1 (4- to 5-pound) boneless lamb shoulder, tied1 (6- to 7-pound) bone-in lamb shoulder, or 1 (4- to 5-pound) boneless lamb shoulder, tied
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided30 ml plus 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper15 ml black pepper
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided60 ml plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium-size yellow onion, roughly chopped1 medium-size yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 6 large shallots, halved lengthwise6 large shallots, halved lengthwise
  • 1 large carrot, roughly chopped1 large carrot, roughly chopped
  • 2 large celery stalks, roughly chopped2 large celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 1 large garlic head, halved crosswise1 large garlic head, halved crosswise
  • 1 bunch thyme sprigs1 bunch thyme sprigs
  • 1 cup dry white wine240 ml dry white wine
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice240 ml fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon wildflower honey15 ml wildflower honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar15 ml apple cider vinegar
  • 2 (3-inch-long) orange peel strips2 (3-inch-long) orange peel strips
  • Lemon-Oregano Gremolata
  • 1/2 cup packed finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley120 ml packed finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil60 ml plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar30 ml apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano15 ml finely chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice5 ml lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste5 ml fine sea salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper5 ml crushed red pepper
  • 1 large garlic clove, grated1 large garlic clove, grated

Instructions

  1. Make the Lamb
  2. Sprinkle lamb evenly with 2 tablespoons salt and black pepper. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, or chill, uncovered, at least 8 hours or overnight. (If lamb chills overnight, let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.)
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in lower third position. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add lamb, fat side down; cook, undisturbed, until deep golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully turn lamb over; cook, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove lamb from Dutch oven. Discard drippings from Dutch oven. Wipe Dutch oven clean.
  4. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to Dutch oven; heat over medium. Add onion, shallots, carrot, celery, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add garlic and thyme; cook, stirring often, until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in wine, orange juice, honey, vinegar, and orange peel strips. Nestle lamb, fat side up, on vegetable mixture; bring to a boil over medium. Remove from heat, and cover Dutch oven. Transfer to preheated oven, and roast until lamb is fork-tender, 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  5. Make the Gremolata
  6. Stir together all gremolata ingredients in a bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
  7. Remove lamb from Dutch oven, and transfer to a large serving platter. Tent lamb with aluminum foil; let rest 30 minutes before slicing or shredding meat. Serve with gremolata.
Suggested pairing: Earthy, emphatic Pinot Noir. Originally appeared April 2020.
Wine Pairing: Medium Red — Burgundian Pinot Noir — elegant and food-friendly for a French main.
Source: Aria Alpert Adjani, Food & Wine
wine-unreviewed