This publish has been written in a collaboration with Swaledale Online Butchers, ‘a strictly whole-carcass, nose-to-tail butchers based mostly in Yorkshire.’ Their meat is of the best high quality, they usually provide to a few of the greatest eating places within the nation.

Braised shoulder of mutton is an iconic British dish, although I’m wondering how many people has ever tried it. That it was such part of our meals tradition is mirrored in the truth that it’s a very fashionable pub identify. The shoulder is made up of a number of muscle tissue, all of which work laborious, so gradual cooking is crucial. Braising is by far the easiest way to prepare dinner it: the meat sat within the cooking liquid goes splendidly tender while the remainder of the meat roasts and the pores and skin goes crisp.

Mutton and lamb go very effectively with anchovy, and I’ve chosen to roast my mutton unfold with Gentleman’s Relish, the spiced potted anchovy unfold. When you can’t pay money for it, don’t fear, you’ll be able to make some yourself, or just mash some canned anchovies with a couple of spices.

The shoulder takes 6 hours to prepare dinner, however don’t let that put you off; for the overwhelming majority of the time, you don’t must do something in any respect!

Serves 8

2 leeks or crimson onions, sliced

four good sized cloves of garlic, crushed with the flat of a knife

Eight sprigs or rosemary, marjoram or oregano

1 shoulder of mutton, on the bone

Salt and pepper

20g (half a bath) Gentleman’s Relish or ½ can of anchovies and ½ tsp every nutmeg, mace and cayenne pepper

125g butter, softened

500ml crimson wine

250 ml beef or mutton/lamb inventory

2 stage tsp cornflour

1 tsp brown sugar or 1 tbs redcurrant jelly

Preheat your oven to 120°C.

Strew the leek or onion, garlic and herbs over the bottom of roasting tin massive sufficient to suit your mutton.

On a board, season the underside of the meat, then place within the tin, pores and skin aspect up. If utilizing Gentleman’s relish, unfold it over the pores and skin of the mutton, then unfold the butter on prime of it. If utilizing anchovies, merely mash them with a few of the softened butter with the spices.

Season once more with salt and pepper – although maintain again just a little on the salt in case you have used Gentleman’s Relish – and pour the inventory and crimson wine over the lamb. Cowl with foil and braise within the oven for five ½ hours.

Take away from the oven and switch up the temperature to 220°C, take off the foil and pour the vast majority of the cooking liquor right into a saucepan. Watch out right here – it’s simpler to take away the mutton to a board, then pour the wine and inventory, then pop the mutton again within the pan.

Return the mutton to the oven for 25 minutes to crisp up, basting it half manner by means of the time. Take away, cowl with foil and permit to relaxation.

In the meantime, spoon off any fats from the liquid and place over a excessive warmth to cut back by half. Slake the cornflour in just a little chilly water and whisk into the decreasing gravy. Add the sugar or redcurrant jelly, style and proper for seasoning. Add extra sugar or jelly if required.

Take the meat from the bone and minimize into thick slices and place on a heat serving dish and pour the gravy by means of a sieve right into a gravy jug.

Serve with mashed potatoes, kale and carrots.