lamb's liver
Author
Discussion

alman

Original Poster:

796 posts

230 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Got some lamb's liver, any ideas on how to cook it etc? Literally barely touched it before, just noticed how cheap it was in Tesco and thought i'd give it a go.

507bhp

7,192 posts

207 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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Take two good saute pans, in one put in some olive oil and butter, along with some finely sliced onions and some salt and pepper. Take them further than you ever have before, i.e., let them caremalise to a muddy brown colour without burning them. A little stock can help soften and adds to flavour. The further you go, the more concentrated the flavour.

With the liver, trim of any sinew and if it isn't already, cut into a manageable portion. Season liberally with salt and pepper and saute in the other pan. It is best served medium, i.e. still moist and pink. I wouldn't entertain rare liver, it's a functioning organ and unless you have Hanibal Lecter tendencies it may not appeal anyway. Having said that, it would be better rare than overcooked as it has a tendency to become very dry and sponge-like.

Once you're sure it's cooked to your liking, take out of the pan and leave to rest for 5 mins. In the meantime de-glaze your pan with half a glass of red wine and burn off the alcohol. Add some beef stock and let reduce to a good consistency. Season, and then add a small knob of cold butter to give the sauce a good sheen.

Slice your liver in two or three on an angle and serve along with the deeply savoury onions and some good buttery mash potato and some greens, with the gravy/sauce.

Enjoy and let us know how it was

Don

28,378 posts

304 months

Thursday 2nd October 2008
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507bhp's recipe is right on the money. As is not overdoing the liver! It's pus if you overdo it - goes rubbery with a lousy texture. Just done it's soft and delicious.

prand

6,229 posts

216 months

Friday 3rd October 2008
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Another vote for 507's - although I cook slightly a simpler version with the addition some nice smoked streaky bacon, and leave out the wine.

Mash is essential!

Wadeski

8,775 posts

233 months

Friday 3rd October 2008
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do you do a lot of chinese cooking?

if so, very thinly sliced liver quickly poached (and served) in a bubbling bowl of stock, peanut oil, rice wine, chilli bean sauce, and dried chillies is divine. Easy to make too - just get a wok, fry off the chilli bean sauce in the oil until you get a thick, fragrant red mixture. Add the chillies. Then add the wine, and burn off the alcohol. Top up with stock and bring back to a simmer. it should be an oily, meaty and fragrant. Add the liver (or kidneys) and let poach until JUST cooked - it should just take a minute.

Top the dish with crushed toasted peanuts, chilli flakes, shredded spring onions and szechuan pepper. pretty fiery, but great.

507bhp

7,192 posts

207 months

Friday 3rd October 2008
quotequote all
Wadeski said:
do you do a lot of chinese cooking?

if so, very thinly sliced liver quickly poached (and served) in a bubbling bowl of stock, peanut oil, rice wine, chilli bean sauce, and dried chillies is divine. Easy to make too - just get a wok, fry off the chilli bean sauce in the oil until you get a thick, fragrant red mixture. Add the chillies. Then add the wine, and burn off the alcohol. Top up with stock and bring back to a simmer. it should be an oily, meaty and fragrant. Add the liver (or kidneys) and let poach until JUST cooked - it should just take a minute.

Top the dish with crushed toasted peanuts, chilli flakes, shredded spring onions and szechuan pepper. pretty fiery, but great.
Now you're talking!! that sounds great!

Shaolin

2,955 posts

209 months

Wednesday 8th October 2008
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My Mum used to do a bacon and lamb's liver kebab thing which was fantastic.

Cut bacon into about 1/3rd rashers, roll round a piece of liver with a bit of parsley, stick this on a skewer and build them up. Cook in butter and serve with new potaotoes and green veg of choice. The bacon stops the liver from over-cooking and the two compliment each other really well.

Mark V8

1,535 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th October 2008
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507's method is uncannily like mine, only I combine the onions with a generous amount of sliced mushrooms, toss the sliced liver portions in heavily seasoned flour and add a good spoonful of redcurrant jelly to the sauce.


alman

Original Poster:

796 posts

230 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
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Cheers guys, tried it earlier using 507's method (except I didn't have any red wine to deglaze the pan with, just used some lamb stock) and was damn good. Think I slightly overcooked the liver but I can learn from that for next time and overall had a quality meal, nice one.

EmmaP

11,758 posts

259 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
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I find pig's liver sweeter than lamb's. I have an Italian recipe that I will post when I get a few minutes.