Croatian Lamb Peka

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven

   1 min

   Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C with the fan on, or 220°C without the fan, which is equivalent to 425°F or Gas mark 7. This ensures a hot environment for even cooking of the lamb and vegetables.

2. 2

   Prepare the Lamb

   17 min

   If your lamb shoulder isn't pre-diced, take the time to chop it into large, even pieces, around 2 inches in size. This will help ensure uniform cooking and tenderness, and then set the pieces aside for later use.

3. 3

   Mix the Marinade

   5 min

   In a mixing bowl, combine 80 ml of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of garlic sauce, 1 tablespoon of tomato puree, a pinch of black pepper, and salt to create a flavorful marinade. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended and set aside to let the flavors meld.

4. 4

   Layer the Vegetables

   21 min

   In a large lidded casserole dish, begin layering the vegetables. Start with 600g of potatoes, followed by 1 chopped courgette, 1 chopped carrot, 1 chopped green pepper, 1 small aubergine, and top with 1 large chopped onion. Ensure the vegetables are evenly distributed to allow for proper cooking.

5. 5

   Add Lamb and Marinade

   5 min

   Place the diced lamb on top of the arranged vegetables in the casserole dish. Pour the prepared marinade evenly over the lamb and vegetables, then add 250 ml of white wine to enhance the dish's flavor and moisture.

6. 6

   Sprinkle Fresh Herbs

   6 min

   Generously sprinkle thyme, rosemary, and sage over the top of the dish. Keep the herbs on the surface for easy removal after cooking, allowing their flavors to infuse during the cooking process without overpowering the dish.

7. 7

   Cover and Cook

   1 min

   Take the lid of your casserole dish and cover it tightly. If you lack a lid, seal the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in. Place it in the preheated oven and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes, allowing the lamb to become tender and the vegetables to soften.

8. 8

   Remove Lid and Stir

   11 min

   Once the initial cooking time has elapsed, carefully remove the lid and check for tenderness. Discard any thick stems from the herbs and stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil to enrich the sauce, enhancing both flavor and texture.

9. 9

   Final Cooking Phase

   63 min

   Return the casserole dish to the oven but this time, leave it uncovered. Allow it to cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, watching for a nice golden color on the lamb and slightly caramelized edges on the vegetables.

10. 10

    Plating and Serving

    1 min

    Once cooked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving. Serve the dish warm, ideally accompanied by fresh homemade bread to soak up the delicious juices from the lamb and vegetables.