Capsicum and red wine slow-braised shoulder of lamb

Here in rural southwest France, tradition dictates lamb that is being roasted or braised is seasoned simply with parsley or rosemary and garlic, along with a generous amount of salt. Rarely is lamb adorned with gutsy spices or flavourings before roasting; simplicity is key. This delicious slow-cooked braised lamb recipe will take advantage of the last of your summer capsicum harvest.

Ingredients

1	Lamb shoulder, on the bone, at room temperature (Main)
½ cup	Olive oil, with a good flavour
3	Small onions, peeled and thickly sliced
6	Capsicums, 2 red, 2 yellow, 2 green; cored and quartered (Main)
4 large	Garlic cloves, use up to 6, peeled and thickly sliced
1 cup	Red wine, light-bodied
1	Bouquet garni
⅓ cup	Pine nuts, toasted, use up to ½ cup

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 180C.
2. Season the room temperature lamb all over well with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the oil on a large, flame proof, deep-sided roasting dish and add the onions and peppers and cook over a moderate heat until the vegetables have begun to soften and even taken on a little brown colour. Add the garlic and toss in the hot oil for a couple of additional minutes.
4. Add the red wine and bouquet garni and simmer until the mixture has reduced by half. Sit the lamb in the centre of the dish.
5. Roast in the preheated oven for 2-3 hours. Please note that the lamb shoulder here in France is much smaller than in New Zealand. Ideally the lamb should be well-browned and well-cooked. If it is browning too much, cover with a layer of foil. It is a matter of keeping an eye on it once the meat has cooked for two hours. Allow the lamb to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
6. Warm up any juices left in the dish along with the capsicums before carving or pulling the meat from the bone. Scatter the pine nuts over the lamb when serving. I like to add a handful of fresh rocket leaves to the capsicums when serving them.