Cooking Lamb- How to Cook Lamb?
When it comes to cooking lamb, there are several ways you can do so. The most popular method though is by grilling or stewing it with curry. But the possibilities of cooking lamb are endless. One only has to have the desire and imagination to experiment on new lamb dishes. However, if you are wondering how to cook lamb the conventional method, then here are some tips that you can follow.
Since lamb is a tender meat, the majority of different cuts can be used for any cooking method. The secret to cooking it lies in the marinade. Mutton, however, is less tender, but stronger in flavour. The marinade will add additional tenderness here, but should not be that strong.
Cooking Lamb at the Roast
Lamb Rack - A popular cut for many dishes
When you are planning to roast a leg of lamb, you can ask your butcher to prepare a butterfly cut of it if you do not know how to do it yourself. Afterwards you can marinate or stuff it with different seasonings, depending on your preferences. We collected here some typical seasonings for lamb.
To make sure that the meat has been cooked thoroughly, using a meat thermometer is advisable. The recommended temperature for roasting lamb is 400°F, 20-30 minutes per lb.
Lamb Braised or Pot Roasted
A lot of people are using pot roasting or braising as a way to cook mutton. The way to do this is to slow cook the lamb shanks or knuckles until the meat almost falls from its bone. Any cut can be used for this cooking method but a whole shoulder that has been boned and rolled, is usually perfect for this method. You can also use lamb neck pieces, which are the most being used for slow cooking. The British favourite known as Lancashire hotpot is an ample example. Likewise, the Irish stew uses the meat from the neck, yet sometimes lamb shoulder might be used as well.
The best way to slow cook lamb is to cook it in stock, wine, or tomato juice with carrots. Slow cooking usually takes 35 minutes per lb. at temperatures of 350°F.
Other Cooking Methods for Lamb
If you are planning to pan fry, grill or barbecue lamb, you can use just about any cut. Shoulder or leg steaks are excellently cooked as a whole. When you are going to cook stir fried or kebab dishes, you can use neck fillet or diced leg.
If you are planning to grill or shallow fry lamb, do so in 3-4 minutes per side on a hot grill before reducing the heat and continuing to cook for 3-6 minutes per side.
There are also several lamb dishes which make use of a combination of methods. A good example for this is the Shepherd’s Pie, where minced lamb is first fried before being placed in a potato topped casserole dish and baked in the oven.
Popular Lamb Dishes
Among many cuisines in the world, lamb is being used frequently. In fact, it is most common in rich and spicy stews, rice and kebab dishes of the French, Greek, Spanish (some variations of paella recipes) and Middle East. Mutton even frequents in many Indian recipes. For the Thai cuisine pad thai recipes have to be mentioned.
Cooking lamb does not have to be difficult. Sometimes grilling is just perfect.
