Summer slow-cooked lamb with tomato and fennel

Babiche Martens

If you are heading to the beach for the afternoon, place this lamb in the oven so when you arrive home the house will be filled with its amazing aroma. Then let the fennel and tomatoes work the magic while you relax with a cold glass of vino.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp	Olive oil
1 tsp	Salt
½ tsp	Freshly ground black pepper
4	Garlic cloves
1 Tbsp	Paprika
1 tsp	Cumin
1 tsp	Coriander
1	Leg of lamb, butterflied (Main)
2 cups	Beef stock
1	Fennel bulb, sliced lengthways
200 g	Cherry tomatoes
1 bunch	Fresh thyme

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 160C.
2. Into a mortar and pestle place the oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Crush to form a paste, then add the paprika, cumin and coriander mixing well. Smother over the lamb and place into an ovenproof dish leaving at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Pour the stock around the lamb, cover with foil and place into the oven for 4 hours.
4. Remove the foil, add the fennel and cherry tomatoes and thyme. Return to the oven uncovered for a further hour until the vegetable are soft and the lamb is pulling apart easily.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
6. Serve warm with pita pockets or a simple salad.

More tasty summer dishes from Angela

• Watermelon and blue cheese salad
• Tamarind and horseradish ribs