How to Cook Lamb’s Heart
If you’re looking for an adventurous and delicious meal, consider cooking lamb’s heart. This nutritious delicacy has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries and is particularly popular in traditional cuisines of Europe, North Africa, and South America. Far from being an odd choice, lamb’s heart is a lean, tender meat that is both tasty and healthy. Follow these steps to cook lamb’s heart successfully and savor this delightful dish.
1. Prepare your ingredients:
– 2 cleaned lamb’s hearts
– Salt and pepper
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 onion, diced
– ½ cup red wine (optional)
– Olive oil or butter for frying
2. Clean the lamb’s hearts:
First things first, you need to clean the lamb’s hearts properly. Rinse them in cold water to remove any blood residue and pat them dry with a paper towel. Trim off any excess fat or veins on the outer surface.
3. Butterfly the hearts:
To cook the hearts evenly, you’ll want to cut them open so they lie flat. Carefully slice each heart open lengthwise with a sharp knife, without cutting all the way through the other side.
4. Season the hearts:
Season both sides of the butterflied hearts generously with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
5. Sauté aromatics:
In a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil or a knob of butter. Once hot, add the diced onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they become translucent. Then add garlic and cook for another minute.
6. Sear the hearts:
Increase heat to medium-high and place the butterflied lamb’s hearts in the frying pan along with the sautéed onions and garlic. Sear each side of the heart for 4 to 5 minutes until browned.
7. Add wine (optional) and simmer:
If you’d like to add more depth of flavor, pour in ½ cup red wine over the hearts after searing both sides. Allow the wine to come to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for around 5 minutes until the liquid has thickened slightly.
8. Cover and cook:
Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pan with a lid, and let the hearts continue cooking for another 20 – 25 minutes until they are tender. Make sure to occasionally check if any additional liquid is needed. Add either more wine or a small amount of water if necessary.
9. Garnish and serve:
Once the lamb’s hearts are cooked through, transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving your dish with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
In summary, cooking lamb’s heart is a simple process that yields a unique and delicious meal that will surely impress your guests. This underrated cut of meat is flavorful, nutritious, and will introduce you to a world of culinary possibilities. Happy cooking!