Lamb shoulder with tahini yoghurt,pickled cucumbers,pomegranate and herbs.
Lamb shoulder with tahini yoghurt,pickled cucumbers,pomegranate and herbs.William Meppem

This marinated,slow-cooked lamb shoulder satisfies the hordes and beautifies the table. This is a really tasty way to cook lamb shoulder so that it falls off the bone. I like to serve it with cous cous or rice. A good dollop of harissa for extra spice doesn't go astray,either.

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Ingredients

  • 2 x 1.25kg lamb shoulders

  • 2 roasted red capsicums,peeled,seeded

  • 2 Lebanese cucumbers

  • 4-8 store-bought flatbreads (Lebanese bread,roti or naan),depending on size

  • seeds from 1/2 pomegranate

  • 1 bunch coriander leaves

  • ½ bunch mint leaves

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 tbsp chardonnay vinegar

  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper

For the marinade

  • 1½ cups Greek yoghurt

  • 4 cloves garlic,chopped

  • 80g ras el hanout (Moroccan spice mix)

  • 40g cumin powder

  • ½ cup olive oil

For the tahini yoghurt

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 clove garlic,finely chopped

  • 1 tbsp chopped oregano

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • ¾ cup Greek yoghurt

  • ¼ cup tahini

For the pickling liquid

  • 2½ cups water

  • 2½ cups white wine vinegar

  • 2½ tbsp castor sugar

  • 2½ tbsp table salt

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 5 cloves garlic

  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns

  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds

Method

  1. Step1

    Mix marinade ingredients,rub over lamb,then refrigerate at least overnight.

  2. Step2

    Remove lamb from fridge one hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 130C.

  3. Step3

    Place lamb in a roasting dish with 200ml water. Cover with foil and cook for 2½ to 3 hours. Reduce heat to 110C and cook for another 1½ to 2 hours. Add water if needed.

  4. Step4

    For the yoghurt:heat oil in a frying pan on a low heat. Add garlic and oregano and fry until garlic is golden,then add lemon juice to stop cooking process. Place mixture in a bowl with yoghurt and tahini and season to taste. Combine with a little water until it has a dolloping consistency.

  5. Step5

    For the pickling liquid: bring all the ingredients to the boil,then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.

  6. Step6

    Cut capsicum into bite-sized pieces. Cover with hot brine and allow to cool.

  7. Step7

    Cut cucumbers lengthways and slice into bite-sized chunks. Submerge in pickling liquid for at least one hour. Drain well.

  8. Step8

    Warm the flatbread in the oven.

  9. Step9

    Place capsicum,cucumber,pomegranate seeds,coriander,mint leaves and pieces of warm flatbread in a large mixing bowl. Dress with oil and vinegar and season.

  10. Step10

    Serve lamb warm from the oven (it will be tender enough to pull away using just a fork). Serve with tahini yoghurt and a salad.

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Neil PerryNeil Perry is a restaurateur,chef and former Good Weekend columnist.

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