Lamb Neck Fillets

Lamb neck fillets are situated under the shoulder joints, directly next to the cutlets, they are great for a stew ideally cooked slowly.

Ingredients

1 tbsp sunflower oil
200g smoked streaky bacon, preferably in one piece, skinned and cut into pieces
900g lamb neck fillets, cut into large chunks
350g baby onion, peeled
5 carrots, cut into large chunks
350g small button mushroom
3 tbsp plain flour
2 bay leaves
small bunch thyme
350ml red wine
350ml lamb or beef stock
a large splash of Worcestershire sauce
For the cobbler topping
350g self-raising flour
4 tbsp chopped mixed herb, including thyme, rosemary and parsley
200g chilled butter, grated
juice 1 lemon
5 bay leaves
beaten egg, to glaze.

Method

STEP 1
Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. In a flameproof casserole, heat the oil, then sizzle the bacon for 5 mins until crisp. Turn up the heat, then cook the lamb for 10 mins until brown. Remove meats with a slotted spoon, turn the heat up to the maximum, then add the onions, carrots and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 mins until starting to colour, then stir in the flour. Return the meat to the pan with the herbs, and pour over the wine, stock and Worcestershire sauce. Season, then cover and braise in the oven, undisturbed, for about 1 hr 20 mins.

STEP 2
After about 1 hr, make the topping. Tip the flour and herbs into a large bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Add the butter and mix using a fork. Make a well, then add the lemon juice and 3 tbsp water. Gently bring them together to make a soft dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 1.5cm thick, then cut into rounds using a 7.5cm pastry cutter. Re-roll the trimmings, then cut out more rounds until the dough is used up. After 1 hr 20 mins, take the casserole from the oven, remove the lid, then arrange the circles of dough, overlapping, around the edge of the dish, sticking bay leaves between them. Brush with egg and bake for 45 mins until golden.