Armenian Lamb (recipe)

Submitted by Baron Hrolf Herjolfssen, O.P.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2lb (900g) fillet end of leg of lamb
• 1oz (30g) butter
• 2 medium sized onions, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 - 3/4 pint (250-450ml) stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato purée

Method

1. Cut the meat from the bone and divide into 2-inch squares. Heat the oil in a sauté pan or deep flameproof casserole, drop in the butter and, when foaming, brown the meat a few pieces at a time.
2. Remove the meat, add the onions and garlic and cook slowly for five minutes, stirring from time to time. Add the flour and spices and continue cooking a further 3-4 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée and 1/2 pint of stock, away from the heat, and blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Return pan to the stove and stir until boiling; reduce the heat, add the meat to the pan, cover and cook for 45-60 minutes on top of the stove of in the oven at 350°F/180°C or Mark 4. Stir the mixture occasionally, adding more stock if necessary. Season to taste.
4. Dish up the meat on a serving dish, piling it up neatly. Reduce the gravy to a thick sauce, if necessary and spoon it over. There should be sufficient to moisten it. Arrange pilaf at each end of the dish or serve it separately. Serve with a green salad in season.