Ingredients
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4 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into 6-8 pieces, trimmed of fat
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1/4 cup olive oil
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, chopped
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2 cups water
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2 cups dry white wine
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salt and pepper, to taste
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4 -5 romaine lettuce, lettuces leaves separated and washed, cut crosswise into 2-inch thick pieces (Swiss Chard can also be used in place of lettuce)
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1/2 cup fresh dill, minced (please don't even think of using dried)
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2 eggs
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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1 1/2 lemons, juice of
Instructions
- In a large Dutch Oven, heat the olive oil till smoking and in it brown the pieces of lamb (you may have to do this in 2-3 batches) until golden-brown all over.
- When all the pieces are browned add onion, garlic, water and wine (you could use just water if you wanted to), salt and pepper to taste, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is very tender.
- Add lettuce and dill. You may have to cram it into the pot but it will reduce to practically nothing. Put the lid on the Dutch Oven and cook for 8 minutes. Remove lid, stir carefully not to break up meat and cook another 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
- In a large, heatproof bowl, whisk together eggs, cornstarch, lemon juice and a little salt and pepper to taste (remember, there is more in the pot).
- With a ladle, remove ladlefuls of the cooking liquid the meat and lettuce have cooked in and VERY slowly whisk it into the egg/lemon mixture. Keep doing this until, whisking all the while, until you have incorporated most of your cooking liquid - this tempers the egg-lemon sauce so it won't curdle when added to your lamb.
- Pour all the sauce into the pot, covering the lamb and lettuce. Turn heat up to medium-high and just bring to the boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Dinner is ready. Have lots of crusty bread around to sop up the delicious avgolemono sauce.