Straight from the Tenuta Torciano Cookbook, here's an idea for a truly special Easter table, with fantastic red wines to pair.
A dish with history
Why lamb at Easter
Everyone knows Italy is famous the world over for its exceptional cuisine. This Easter we want to offer you a recipe that suits the tradition best: Tuscan Paschal Lamb. Like turkey at Christmas, lamb has long been associated with Easter, though its religious ties most likely date back to Christianity. The lamb has a central meaning during Passover, although some believe its place in this Jewish custom is purely sacrificial, rather than on the table.
The recipe
Tuscan Paschal Lamb
Difficulty: Easy · Preparation: 60 minutes · People: 4
Ingredients: lamb 800 grams (carré), shallot 1 unit, garlic 1 unit, extra-virgin Tuscan olive oil IGP 2 spoons, butter 30 grams, rosemary 1 unit (small branch), red wine 1 glass, salt to taste, pepper to taste.
Brown the meat in a couple of tablespoons of oil, turning it often so it colors evenly. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer it to a baking dish and bake for half an hour at 180°.
Pour half a glass of water into the pan, put it on the heat and collect the bottom of the meat.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan and add the chopped shallot and garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Brown for 2-3 minutes and deglaze with the wine.
Add the lamb water, bring to a boil and reduce over medium heat. Strain the sauce through a sieve, put it back in the saucepan and add a teaspoon of cornstarch if it's too liquid. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest before slicing. Coat with the sauce and serve.
Wine pairing
Recommended wines for the Paschal lamb
Note: the following wines are a selection of exceptional products, recommended by us for the perfect pairing with this dish. More options can be found on our wine list, in the online shopping section: www.torciano.com. Many red wines from classic vines are a wonderful natural match with lamb, but it's important to pay close attention to the cut of meat, and how you cook and serve it.
Chianti Classico Riserva, Godenzio 2015 2016 — € 39
To earn the "Riserva" quality of Chianti Classico, more years of aging and a higher alcohol content of 12.5% are required. The grape variety is Sangiovese Grosso, grown on hilly land with polychrome schist soils at an altitude of 400m above sea level. Intense ruby red tending to garnet, with a complete, elegant and penetrating scent, and a full, smooth taste. It pairs with noble game and aged cheeses, and its quality and structure make it excellent for hearty meat-based first courses or roast game, as well as stronger, more particular meats like lamb, vegetable soufflé, mature cheeses and spicy flavors.
Supertuscan IGT, Baldassarre 2014 — € 42
A blend of Sangiovese Grosso, Cabernet and Merlot, grown on clay soils under a particular climate — the right ingredients for a superior red nectar. Intense ruby color tending to garnet with aging, an elegant, complete bouquet with hints of wood among the typical herbaceous notes, and a dry, full, smooth taste. Its quality and structure make it excellent for first courses and risottos with wild boar and hare sauces, or hearty meat dishes like game roasts, spicy vegetable soufflé and seasoned cheeses.
Brunello di Montalcino 2013 — € 63
A strong personality with a dry, full, soft and well-balanced taste. Excellent paired with meat dishes like Florentine steak and grilled fillets, and exceptionally good with spicy cheeses and game. The 2013 harvest saw a hot summer, but temperatures stayed regular through the year, with significant rains in May and June. In September, Tuscany saw thunderstorms at the start of the month, creating some discomfort during the grape harvest but helping to make this wine great.
FAQ
How long does the Tuscan Paschal Lamb take to prepare and how many people does it serve?
The recipe has easy difficulty, takes 60 minutes of preparation and serves 4 people.
What are the main ingredients for the recipe?
You need 800 grams of lamb (carré), one shallot, one garlic unit, 2 spoons of extra-virgin Tuscan olive oil IGP, 30 grams of butter, one small branch of rosemary, one glass of red wine, and salt and pepper to taste.
Which wines are recommended for the Paschal lamb?
The recommended wines are Chianti Classico Riserva Godenzio 2015 2016, Supertuscan IGT Baldassarre 2014 and Brunello di Montalcino 2013.
What is the price of the Chianti Classico Riserva Godenzio?
The Chianti Classico Riserva, Godenzio 2015 2016 costs 39 euro.
What is the price of the Brunello di Montalcino recommended for the pairing?
The Brunello di Montalcino 2013 costs 63 euro.
