Fried Chicken Breasts

Prep20 m
Cook25 m
Ready In55 m

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
8 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Stir together flour, tarragon, salt, ginger, pepper, mustard powder, thyme, garlic powder, and oregano in a shallow bowl until well blended. Beat the egg together with the milk until smooth in a bowl. 

Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shake off excess, then dip in egg, and again in flour. Set breasts aside to rest for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge the chicken breasts in flour again, and shake off excess. Brown the chicken in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Place onto a baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 20 to 30 minutes.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/159972/tender-pan-fried-chicken-breasts/

Roast Duck

Summary: 425 F for 45 minutes, flip; roast 45 min, flip again and roast until done.

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 (5- to 6-lb) Long Island duck (also known as Pekin)
2 cups boiling-hot water
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

PREPARATION

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.

If necessary, cut off wing tips with poultry shears or a sharp knife. Remove and discard excess fat from body cavity and neck, then rinse duck inside and out. Prick skin all over with a sharp fork. Fold neck skin under body, then put duck, breast side up, on a rack in a 13- by 9- by 3-inch roasting pan and pour boiling-hot water over duck (to tighten skin). Cool duck, then pour out any water from cavity into pan. Pat duck dry inside and out, reserving water in pan, then rub duck inside and out with kosher salt and pepper.

Roast duck, breast side up, 45 minutes, then remove from oven. Turn duck over using 2 wooden spoons, and roast 45 minutes more. Turn duck over again (breast side up), tilting duck to drain any liquid from cavity into pan. Continue to roast duck until skin is brown and crisp, about 45 minutes more (total roasting time: about 2 1/4 hours). Tilt duck to drain any more liquid from cavity into pan. Transfer duck to a cutting board and let stand 15 minutes before carving. Discard liquid in roasting pan.

NOTES: 

I didn't pour boiling water over the bird, but did cut off excess fat and used the same method I use for roast chicken. I separated skin from meat and rubbed seasonings (salt, onion and garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest) directly on meat and on skin, then left the bird uncovered in the fridge for about 20 hours. I let it come to room temp before roasting. 

For the first 45 min or so, I used the convection oven setting, then switched to the regular oven setting. I had to wrap wings in tinfoil after about 45 min to prevent them from burning. 

Result was fall off the bone tender.  

Turkey in Convection Oven

Timing Guide for Convection Roasting

The timing we have established for roasting turkeys in Convection is based on the following criteria:
Letting the turkey sit outside of the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.
Cooking the turkey without stuffing.
Roasting the turkey on a rack in a shallow pan with the legs swinging free.
Cooking the turkey in the Convection Roast mode at 400 degrees for 20 minutes then reducing the temperature to 350 degrees/375 for large capacity ovens, for the remainder of the cooking time.
Cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 160-170 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh and allow it to rest for 20 minutes prior to carving, in this time the internal temperature rises to 180 degrees.

Turkey weight	Cooking time	Resting time
10-12 lb. turkey	1 ½ hours	20 minutes
12-15 lb. turkey	1 ¾ hours	20 minutes
15-20 lb. turkey	2 hours	20 minutes
20-25 lb. turkey	2 ½ hours	20 minutes

Roasted Leg of Lamb (Sear and Bake Method)

Summary: 425 for 20 min, 350 for 30 (boneless) to 45 (bone in) = rare


Prep time:
Cook time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Marinating time: 2 hours
Yield: Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients
Quick rub (rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, just enough olive oil to make a paste)

Marinade
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup white wine
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
2 Tbsp of fresh chopped rosemary or 1 Tbsp of dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper

Blend marinade ingredients in a blender, just a few pulses until well mixed.

Lamb Roast
One 6-pound leg of lamb, bone-in or boneless. (If boneless, the leg should be tied up with kitchen string by butcher.)

Marinade
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
1. If using rub, leave it on for several hours outside of the fridge, overnight or longer in the fridge. If marinating, marinate overnight, in the refrigerator. If refrigerating, bring to room temp. 

2 Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange two racks in the oven - a middle rack to hold the lamb, and a lower rack to hold a roasting pan with which to catch the drippings. Note that this arrangement of racks and pans, with the roast sitting directly on the oven rack, will create a natural convection of heat in the oven, causing the roast to cook more quickly than if cooked the traditional method in a rack in a roasting pan.

3 Remove the lamb roast from its marinade bag (you may want to temporarily place lamb in another roasting pan, just to make it less messy to work with.) Pat dry the marinade off the lamb with paper towels. Generously salt and pepper all sides of the roast. Arrange the roast fattiest side up, so while the lamb is cooking the fat will melt into the meat. Place the roast directly on middle rack of the oven, with a roasting pan on a separate rack a rung lower, to catch the drippings. You may also want to put some water in the bottom roasting pan, so that the drippings fall into the water instead of burning in the hot pan and smoking up your kitchen.

4. Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 350°F and roast an additional 30 minutes (for a 6 pound boneless roast) to 45 min - 1 hr (for a 6 pound bone-in roast). 

In general estimate 10-13 minutes per pound for total cooking time (for rare), including that first 20 minutes at high heat.

Note that the method of cooking directly on the oven rack will mimic a convection oven and the cooking time/oven temp needed will be less than you would need if you cooked the roast on a rack in a roasting pan. If you are cooking the roast directly in a roasting pan, rack or not, start the roast at 450°F and then reduce the heat to 325°F. Also, the shape of the roast will have an impact on the cooking time. Our roast was rather long and thin, so it cooked up fairly quickly. A thicker roast may take longer than expected.

Let stand for 25-30 minutes before carving. Cut away the kitchen string and slice with a sharp carving knife, 1/2 inch thick slices, against the grain of the meat.

5 While the roast is resting, use a metal spatula to scrape up the drippings in the roasting pan. Use the drippings to make a gravy, or use just the drippings themselves to serve with the lamb.

Roast Chicken Guidelines

1 5-6 lb chicken

425F for 1 hour to 1 hr 15 min (check periodically and tent with foil if necessary) 

How to Grill Lamb Chops and Asparagus

1 inch lamb chops

High heat on gas grill (about 450 F) for about 4 minutes on the first side, 3 min on the second side to achieve medium to medium rare temp. 

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Pencil asparagus about 4 minutes at high heat. 

Roasted Pork Tenderloin

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt
1 1/4 pounds pork tenderloin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

In separate bowl mix dry ingredients such as garlic powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, thyme and salt. Stir mixture with a fork until all the ingredients are well combined and they form a seasoning. This will be used as a rub to ensure the pork is well seasoned throughout. Sprinkle the rub over the tenderloin with a dry hand, then rub the pork with the seasoning over both sides of the meat, pressing gently so the seasoning adheres well to the tenderloin.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and heat. Add the minced garlic and saute, stirring, for 1 minute. Put tenderloin in the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, searing each side using tongs to turn the meat. Transfer meat to a roasting pan and bake for 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

2006, Ellie Krieger, All Rights Reserved

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/pork-tenderloin-with-seasoned-rub-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Mititei (Romanian Beef Sausages)

Makes 40 sausages

Ingredients

• 2lbs lean ground beef
• 2tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3garlic cloves, peeled and crushed into a paste
• 2teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄2teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2teaspoon red pepper flakes, crumbled
• 1⁄2teaspoon paprika (hot or sweet(your choice)
• 1teaspoon caraway seed
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Combine beef, oil, garlic, baking soda, thyme, red pepper, paprika, caraway seeds, and 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl.
Season with salt and pepper and knead for 5 minutes, wetting your hands frequently to help keep mixture moist.
Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 5 hours.
With wet hands, roll meat, 1 tablespoons at a time, into small balls, then shape balls into sausages about 3'' long and 1'' thick. Heat a grill pan over medium heat.
Cook sausages in batches, turning frequently, until well browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Serve as an hors d'oeuvre or with potatoes as an entrée.


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More involved recipe...

• 1 kg(2.25lbs) beef chuck
• 3 tsps summer savory(or regular savory, if you can't find summer savory)
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp Turkish cumin (or caraway?)
• 1/4 tsp star anise, ground
• 1 tsp+a pinch kosher salt
• 2 tsps freshly ground pepper
• 2 tsp baking soda ( I used 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Liquids:

• 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup beef stock

1 head of garlic, crushed
1/2 cup warm water


Day 1:

1. Get your beef and spices all ready, along with the lemon juice and baking powder.
2. Grind beef 3 times. Yes, 3 times...ok, if you insist 2x (but I did mine 3x)! That is very important. Do not cut any fat out! The fat plays a very important role by making the mititei tender and juicy.
3. Place the meat in a large bowl.
4. Combine spices including salt and set aside.
5. Combine gelatin and beef broth and set aside to dissolve.
6. After it has dissolved, warm the gelatin broth to about 140 deg F...to activate the gelatin. Don't allow to boil, as boiling will deactivate the gelatin and it won't work properly. You just want the broth to get hot.
7. Let gelatin mixture cool slightly... setting it aside.

8. Add the lemon juice to baking soda. Let it sizzle.

9. Add baking soda mixture to the ground beef.
10. Mix the meat with your hands to incorporate the baking soda. (or do this in a mixer)
11. Add spices and 1/2 cup of previously warmed beef -gelatin broth( that has been cooled down a tiny bit) ... a little at a time as you mix the meat mixture with your hands.

12. Continue mixing and adding spices/broth for 30-40 minutes. Yes your hand will hurt! But this step is very important. The meat mixture will begin to stick to your hand. You will eventually feel the meat sort of become like a "bread dough", if you can imagine that(I've contemplated on doing this in a mixer, haven't personally done it so... I've used the mixer to knead the meat and it works wonderful! I use the paddle attachment and beat on medium for 10-15 minutes. Highly recommend the mixer!).

13. Cover the bowl well with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
14. Place the rest 1/2 cup gelatin broth in the fridge as well....it will solidify in the fridge.

Day 2:

1. Take meat out and let it come to room temp. Warm( don't boil) the gelatin broth until it is liquefied (it should have become gelatinous from sitting in the fridge overnight).
2. Crush whole head of garlic.
3. Add warm water to the crushed garlic and let it sit for a half hour.
4. Strain garlic and reserve the garlic-water.
5. Mix meat with your hands while adding the rest of the broth a little at a time. Do this for 15 minutes. 6. Add the garlic water little by little and mix again for another 15 minutes.
7. Cover meat well and refrigerate for another day or for another few hours. In case you do this in the morning, and want to fire the grill in the evening.
8. Otherwise, let sit in the fridge until next day.

Day 3 (or Day 2 evening):

1. Take meat out and bring to room temp.
2. Shape the mititei into about 3 inch long by 1 1/2 inch thick.
3. Brush with oil on all sides.
4. Heat up grill on high.
5. Oil the grill so that the mititei will not stick.
6. Place mititei on the hot oiled grill....still on high heat.
7. Turn mititei about 3-4 times, a total of about 6-7 minutes (as per my grill during winter time). You can brush the mititei with a garlic water(similar to the one that is added to the meat mixture)... as you grill them(I skipped that). Just be careful and don't burn them or overcook them. If need be test one for doneness.
8. Serve with a side of fries and a bit of Dijon mustard. You can likewise serve them with some fresh french bread, accompanied by some Dijon mustard.We absolutely loved the mititei! Hope you enjoy yours as well.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings Romanian Sausages

• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 to 9 finely chopped garlic cloves or to taste
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes or to taste
• 1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika or to taste
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION

Place 1 pound ground chuck, 1 pound grou7nd pork, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons water, 3 to 9 minced garllic cloves, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika, 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, 1 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl and mix thoroughly, wetting your hands frequently to keep the meat moist. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.

Using slightly dampened hands, divide mixture into 18 equal portions and form into oval sausages about 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick.

Grill, broil or pan fry 7 minutes per side or bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Serve with tomato and green onion salad,sour cream sprinkled with paprika, baked potato or french fries, or rice.

"Mititei" make great appetizers and are wonderful cold the next day in a sandwich.

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Saveur's version

SERVES 6–8

INGREDIENTS

2 lb. ground pork
2 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 tbsp. hot paprika
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. dried thyme
2 tsp. caraway seeds
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1½ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
9 cloves garlic, minced

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until evenly combined, and form into about twenty-two 3"-long, ¾"-thick wide sausages.

2. Heat a cast-iron grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat, and brush with oil. (Alternatively, arrange an oven rack 4" from broiler and heat broiler to high.) Working in batches, add sausages, and cook, turning once, until lightly charred in spots and cooked through about 5 minutes. (Alternatively, place sausages on a foil-lined baking sheet, and broil, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through.)

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How to Grill Sausage and Drumsticks

Drumsticks: 350 (medium heat) on grill for 25-30 min

Sausages (Italian): indirect heat, also about 350, for 25 min

Both drumsticks and sausages can be zapped in microwave for about 1 min (high power; or 2 min low power) before grilling. 

Persian Turkey (or Lamb) Kebabs

Persian Turkey Kofta Kebabs
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 3 kebabs • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 185.4 • Fat: 8.3 g • Protein: 22.9 g • Carb: 5.1 g • Fiber: 0.8 g • Sugar: 0.3 g
Sodium: 114.5 mg (without the salt)

Ingredients:

20 oz 93% lean ground turkey
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic. minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (I have subbed cilantro for a different, but also great, flavor)
2 tbsp bread crumbs (I skipped; could use oats, but it would be looser)
1/4 tsp allspice (I used about 1 tsp)
1/4 tsp coriander (I used about a tablespoon) 

(I also added ground cumin)
1/4 tsp paprika (I used about a tablespoon)
1/4 tsp chili powder (I used 1-2 tsp)
salt and fresh pepper (to taste)

Directions:

In a large bowl combine the ground turkey, onion, garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, spices, salt and pepper until evenly blended. (I used a food processor for a smoother texture) 

Divide into a heaping 1/4 cup portions so you get 12; roll into log shaped ovals. Place on a cookie sheet and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least 30 minutes before grilling.

When ready to eat, preheat grill to high heat. Carefully insert the skewer through the formed meat.

Grill for 10 to 15 minutes on indirect heat turning occasionally, until meat is no longer pink.

Serve with yogurt tahini sauce (plain yogurt, tahini, minced garlic, lemon or lime juice, salt, optional honey) or yogurt cucumber sauce. 

How to Grill Duck Breast

Season duck. (I use some combination of salt, garlic or onion powder, rosemary, pepper, cumin, usually.) Then....

1.

Grill the duck breasts skin side down over moderate heat until lightly charred and crisp, about 3 minutes. Turn the breasts and cook for about 4 minutes longer for medium-rare meat. Transfer the duck to a carving board and let rest for 5 minutes.

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2. 

Heat a grill to medium (make sure it's not too hot since the key is to cook duck slowly to render the fat) and wipe down the grates with an oiled towel. Place the duck skin-side down on the grate and cook until the skin is seared and the fat is rendered, 4 to 5 minutes. (If there are occasional flare-ups from the fat, move the duck around on the grill to a new spot away from the flame each time.) Flip the duck over and place on a cooler part of the grill. Cook for an additional 5 minutes for medium-rare. Let rest for 5 to 7 minutes before cutting against the grain into thick slices.

Meatloaf (Basic Recipe)

1. With Breadcrumbs (Non-GF) 

Original recipe makes 8 servings
PREP10 mins
COOK1 hr
READY IN1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1/3 cup ketchup

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and bread OR cracker crumbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased 5x9 inch loaf pan, OR form into a loaf and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and ketchup. Mix well and pour over the meatloaf.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

*** Note: Onions don't cook all the way through. Would be better to sautee onions before mixing them in.


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2. With Oatmeal (GF) 

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• Topping:
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.

Topping:

Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour.

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Pork Shoulder Recipes

Matilda, Maple, and Garlic Pork Shoulder with Crispy Skin
Serves 4 to 6 to 8

• 6 to 8pounds bone-in, skin on pork shoulder
• 3tablespoons fennel seeds, toasted, crushed
• 14pieces garlic cloves, crushed
• 3tablespoons kosher salt
• 1/2cup olive oil
• 1teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4cup grade b maple syrup
• 1big bottle of Matilda, or another malty fruity ale
• 2teaspoons malt vinegar

After allowing the meat to come to room temperature, use a sharp knife to score the skin, making 1/2 inch stripes over entire surface. Preheat oven to 450. Toast fennel seeds in a skillet over medium heat, until fragrant (3 minutes); crush using mortar and pestle, set aside. Place garlic and salt in empty mortar mortar and grind together to make a paste. Slowly add olive oil, then sprinkle in cayenne, black pepper, fennel.
Rub about 1/3 of the paste over the skinless side of the meat, then place skin side down on a roasting pan in lower third of oven. Cook for 30 minutes. Meanwhile stir the syrup and vinegar into the remaining paste.
Turn the oven down to 225. Carefully flip the shoulder (use a clean towel), then use a rubber spatula to spread the remaining paste over the shoulder, pushing it into the scored skin.
Return to oven and cook for 18 hours or longer (you can put it in the oven at bedtime and leave it in until you serve it as an early supper the next day, which is what I did; I just turned it all the way down to 150 for a couple of hours late in the afternoon), pouring 1/3 of the bottle of beer over it at several intervals, and basting with the drippings 2-3 times. Seriously. Before serving, turn up the heat to 450 for ten minutes if the skin is not crispy enough. Put it on a platter, and let people pull off pieces, like wild animals. They will fight over the skin.
Serve with my Fresh Fennel and Red Pepper Chow-Chow (under "condiments"), and mashed sweet potatoes with apples. Leftover pork, Chow-Chow, and spicy mayo sandwich on ciabatta: very good idea.

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Cochinita Pibil Recipe

Yield: Serves 4-6, depending on appetite.

If for some reason you don’t eat all your cochinita pibil at one sitting, it will keep for several days in the fridge. Achiote is an essential ingredient for this recipe, there is no substitute.

Ingredients
3-4 pounds pork shoulder
1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
1/2 cup lime juice, juice of 4-5 limes
1 teaspoons salt
3 ounces of red (rojo) achiote paste, available in Latin markets
Pickled red onions (optional), for garnish
Dry Mexican cheese (queso seco), for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Lime wedges, for garnish

Method

1 The night before or the morning before you plan to serve this, mix the orange and lime juice with the achiote paste and salt in a blender until combined. Be sure to rinse the blender soon afterwards, as the achiote stains. Cut the pork into chunks of about 2 inches square. Don’t trim the fat, as you will need it in the braising to come. You can always pick it out later. Put the pork in a non-reactive (glass, stainless steel or plastic) container, then pour over the marinade mixture. Mix well, cover and keep in the fridge for at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.

2 Cooking this takes 3-4 hours, so plan ahead. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large casserole with a double layer of heavy-duty foil, or a triple layer of regular foil – you want a good seal. (Traditionally, cochinita pibil is wrapped in banana leaves, which add a wonderful flavor to the pibil. So, if banana leaves are available—you may be able to get them at the same store as the achiote paste, or at an Asian market—consider using them. Just heat the leaves first to make them more pliable.) Pour in the pork and the marinade and close the foil tightly. Put the casserole in the oven and bake for at least 3 hours. You want it pretty much falling apart, so start checking at the three-hour mark.

3 When the pork is tender, take it out of the oven and open the foil. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon to a bowl, then shred it with two forks. You don’t have to shred the pork, but I like it this way. Pour enough sauce over the meat to make it wet.

To serve, either use this as taco meat or eat it the way we do: Over rice, garnished with cilantro, lime wedges and queso seco, a Mexican dry cheese a little like Greek feta. Pickled red onions are a traditional garnish, and if you like them, they’re good, too.

Read more: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cochinita_pibil/#ixzz3XXWDcCdm

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Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Caramelized Onion and Apple Confit
Serves 4

• 2 1/2pounds pork shoulder (butt) - boneless and tied
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2tablespoons olive oil
• 4large yellow onions, halved, thinly sliced
• 1/4cup Calvados brandy
• 1large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut in 1/2" cubes
• 2garlic cloves, chopped
• 1teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1cup apple cider
• 1cup chicken stock
• 1tablespoon Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Pat the pork dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a large oven-proof pot or Dutch oven with a lid. Brown pork on all sides, turning with tongs, 6-8 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate.
Pour off excess fat from pot. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are very soft ad deep golden brown, 18-20 minutes.
Add Calvados and stir to deglaze pan. Add apple, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
Return pork to pot, nestling it down in the onions. Add cider and chicken stock. Cover pot and place in oven. Reduce heat to 325 F. Braise until meat is very tender, 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Return pot to cooktop. Transfer pork to a cutting board and remove kitchen strings. Boil onion and apples until thickened and liquid slightly reduced, 1-2 minutes. Stir in mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cut pork in serving pieces and arrange on serving platter or individual dinner plates. Spoon onion apple confit over and around the meat.

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Braised Pork Shoulder with Oranges, Fennel and Olives

Serves 4

2pounds Boneless Pork Shoulder
Olive Oil
1/2Large Red Onion, diced
1/2teaspoon Fennel Seeds
1tablespoon Tomato Paste
1Fennel Bulb, cut in 1/4"-1/2" wedges, a few fronds reserved
1cup Dry White Wine
4Small Blood Oranges (or any thin-skinned orange), quartered (or cut in eighths if using larger oranges)
1/2cup Flavorful Black Olives (such as Kalamata)
2cups Chicken Stock (preferably homemade, low-sodium if using canned)

Preheat oven to 325°.
Cut the pork shoulder crosswise into 4 even pieces. Secure each piece with kitchen twine so they will stay together while braising. Season with salt and pepper. Heat about 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy, lidded pot. Brown the meat on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Remove meat from pan and transfer to a rimmed plate. If there is more than a thin coating of fat in the bottom of the pot, drain some off. If the pot seems too dry to sauté onions in, add a little oil.
Sauté the onion in the Dutch oven until softened, about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt. Add fennel seeds and tomato paste to clear spots; toast the seeds and caramelize the tomato paste, about 1 minute. Stir to combine with the onions. Add the fennel wedges, season lightly with salt, and sauté, coating with tomato paste and onions, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the oranges and olives and return the pork to the pot, along with any accumulated juices. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. When the liquid reaches a simmer, cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Braise until the meat is tender and just starting to fall apart, about 2 hours. Flip the meat halfway through.
Transfer the pork, fennel, oranges, and olives and to a rimmed plate or bowl. Remove the string from the pork and tent with foil.
Meanwhile, place the Dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat. Simmer until the liquid has reduced slightly, about 10 minutes. Taste and season, if necessary, with salt and pepper.
Divide the pork, fennel, oranges, and olives between warm plates (or serve it family style on a large platter). Spoon the reduced braising liquid over the meat and garnish with fennel fronds, if desired.

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Roasted Lamb Leg

For a 7 lb semi-deboned leg of lam, roast 1.5 to 1.75 hours at 350F.


Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (7-pound) semi-boneless leg of lamb, aitchbone removed, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch thick, and lamb tied
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth

PREPARATION

Pat lamb dry and score fat by making shallow cuts all over with tip of a sharp small knife.

Pound garlic to a paste with sea salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a heavy knife) and stir together with rosemary and pepper. Put lamb in a lightly oiled roasting pan, then rub paste all over lamb. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Roast lamb in middle of oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches into thickest part of meat (do not touch bone) registers 130°F, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand 15 to 25 minutes (internal temperature will rise to about 140°F for medium-rare).

Add wine to pan and deglaze by boiling over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Season pan juices with salt and pepper and serve with lamb.

Rack of Lamb Roast

Barefoot Contessa: 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 racks of lamb, "frenched" (see note)

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the salt, rosemary, and garlic until they're as finely minced as possible. Add the mustard and balsamic vinegar and process for 1 minute. Place the lamb in a roasting or sheet pan with the ribs curving down, and coat the tops with the mustard mixture. Allow to stand for 1 hour at room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Roast the lamb for exactly 20 minutes for rare or 25 minutes for medium-rare. Remove from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then cut into individual ribs and serve.

Note: "Frenching" refers to scraping the meat off the tips of the bones. Ask your butcher to leave 1/8 inch of fat on the meat.

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Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rack-of-lamb-recipe.html?oc=linkback

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Epicurious:

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 20 min

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr

INGREDIENTS

For lamb
2 (8-rib) frenched racks of lamb (each rack 1 1/2 lb), trimmed of all but a thin layer of fat
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

For herb coating
1/2 head new garlic or 3 large regular garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Special equipment: an instant-read thermometer


PREPARATION

Brown lamb:
Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot, at least 2 minutes. Meanwhile, pat lamb dry and rub meat all over with salt and pepper. Add oil to hot skillet, then brown racks, in 2 batches if necessary, on all sides (not ends), about 10 minutes per batch.

Transfer racks to a small (13- by 9-inch) roasting pan.

Coat and roast lamb:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.

Stir together garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and oil. Coat meaty parts of lamb with herb mixture, pressing to help adhere. Roast 15 minutes, then cover lamb loosely with foil and roast until thermometer inserted diagonally into center of meat registers 120°F, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. (Internal temperature will rise to 125 to 130°F for medium-rare while lamb stands.)

Cut each rack into 4 double chops.