Recipes, Lamb Recipes

Lamb ossobuco, black olives & tomatoes w/ wet polenta

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Veal is the traditional beast from which to cut an ossobuco, but it actually works wonderfully well with lamb and, in particular, in this braise with its great friends anchovy, rosemary, and black olives.

This dish sounds good, an easy checklist of quality ingredients that we all know go well together, but it is not until you actually eat it that you get to grips with just how delicious it is. It is crucial that you use a good-quality olive for this. The flavour that the olives lend to the braise is a crucial part of the recipe, and bad olives will simply not suffice. Spend an extra few bob and get something that is going to do this dish justice — I promise you won’t regret it.

Serves 2 (hungry people)

Ingredients

For the polenta

Shop the ingredients

Directions

First, the braise:

  1. You will need a large, heavy-bottomed pan. Place it over a medium heat, with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the ossobuco with salt and then begin to brown them off on both sides in the pan. Once browned, remove and set to one side.
  2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, plus a good pinch of salt. Sweat off the vegetables over a medium heat, stirring regularly for about 20 minutes. Until they are well softened and just beginning to colour lightly.
  3. Add the anchovies and red wine and bring to a boil. Then return the ossobuco along with the tomatoes, stock, black olives, and rosemary.
  4. Let the pot return to a simmer and maintain a gentle bubble over a low heat for about 2 hours with the lid slightly ajar, stirring delicately at 20 minute intervals so as not to break up the meat.
  5. After 2 hours, the lamb should be cooked and the sauce beautifully rich and reduced. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. If you think the sauce needs a little further reduction, then simply remove the lamb and allow it to bubble away for a little longer.

While that is cooking, begin with the polenta:

  1. Bring the water and olive oil to a boil. Season with a pinch of salt, and then pour in the polenta, whisking as you go. The whisking will prevent the polenta from forming any lumps.
  2. Immediately turn the pot down to the lowest heat possible and cook like this for about 40 minutes. Stirring very regularly.
  3. Add the butter and parmesan and stir as they rapidly melt into the pot, instantly enriching the polenta.
  4. Check the seasoning and consistency and adjust if necessary. Be careful as it will be molten hot. A little splash of water can be used to loosen it.
  5. Serve very quickly, as if allowed to cool, polenta can very quickly resemble cement!

For 15 years George worked in some of London’s most loved restaurants, including Padella and Primeur, and had a 5-year stint as Head Chef at the Garden Museum Café. George earned rave reviews for his simple, thoughtful cookery, his dishes were firmly rooted in the classics, and always paid homage to the produce. In 2021 George realised a long-held ambition and released his first cookbook entitled, A Year In The Kitchen. It celebrates the annual cookery cycle, taking readers on a journey through the British seasons, showcasing native produce, and inspiring year round creativity. In 2022 George left London behind, and moved back home to Yorkshire. His passion for seasonal cookery and reverence of quality British ingredients proved that for George, home is where the heart is. Like his food, George is led by the seasons, he’s open to new opportunities, and always following his heart.