Lamb shoulder and vegetable stew recipe

Lamb shoulder, épaule d’agneau, is a typical autumnal dish in the South of France. Lamb shoulder usually weighs around 1kg and makes four generous servings. If you cook the lamb shoulder for just two persons you will have left-overs for the next day and you could make for instance lamb couscous or lamb parmentier.

The choice of vegetables in this recipe reflects autumn. Butternut squash, new potatoes, red bell pepper, shallot and garlic stew goes nicely with lamb shoulder.

Serve your lamb with a great red from Côtes du Rhône Villages.
Local experts say that some Syrah in the wine goes especially well with lamb, and we agree.

For 4 servings lamb shoulder

About 1 kg lamb shoulder
150 ml white wine
250 ml chicken stock
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
1 bouquet garni, a bunch of dried herbs
4 cloves garlic, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper

For 2 servings vegetable stew

3- 5 new potatoes, sliced
2 shallots
1 clove garlic
1 red bell pepper
About 200 g butternut squash cubes
2 tbsp. olive oil
100 ml white wine
100 ml chicken stock
A pinch of salt (optional)
Parsley to decorate

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Warm 1 tbsp. butter and 1 tbsp. olive oil over high heat in a heavy frying pan. Fry the lamb shoulder on both sides until nicely browned. Place it in an ovenproof dish fatty side up. Pour the white wine and chicken stock in the dish, add the garlic slices, bouquet garni and black pepper. Bake in the oven for 2 hours.

Meanwhile prepare the vegetable stew. Wash and slice the potatoes. Wash and chop the red bell pepper.  In a heavy casserole, such as Le Creuset, warm the olive oil over medium heat and start sautéing the potatoes and bell pepper. Stir frequently.

Peel and chop the shallots, peel and mince the garlic clove. Add to the casserole and reduce the heat somewhat. Add the butternut squash, white wine and chicken stock. Cover and let simmer until the vegetables are soft.

When the lamb shoulder is done, place it on a cutting board. Remove the fat crust on top of it and slice.

Place the sliced lamb on the plates and sprinkle with the juices from the baking dish.  Divide the vegetable stew on the plates and decorate with parsley.