Ingredients:
2 pieces of best end of lamb neck
For the Stuffing:
150g fresh breadcrumbs
1 large onion
30g butter
100g dried apricots
1 tsp dried thyme
1 egg
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
1 large tin of apricots in syrup
1 medium onion
1 garlic clove
30g butter
2 tbsp double cream
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
Remove the bones from the meat and set aside. Now prepare the stuffing. Finely chop the onion then fry in the butter until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Combine the onion in a bowl with the breadcrumbs then add the apricots before mixing in the thyme and seasoning with salt and black pepper.
Beat the egg lightly then mix into the stuffing mixture. Arrange the meat flat on a work surface then spread the stuffing mix on the inner surface. Roll the meat up and bind with butcher's twine. Arrange on a rack in a roasting tin then dot with butter before seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
Cover the meat with foil then transfer to an oven pre-heated to 220°C. Roast for 30 minutes before reducing the oven temperature to 160°C and cooking for a further 30 minutes per kg (for medium). Remove the foil for the final hour of cooking. During the cooking process, baste the meat from time to time with the pan juices to prevent it from drying out.
In the meantime, prepare the sauce, Finely chop the onion and fry with the butter for about 3 minutes. Press in the garlic (with a garlic press) and fry the mixture for 2 minutes more (or until the onion is soft and translucent). Add the apricots (along with their syrup) and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue gently boiling, covered, for a further 12 minutes.
Season with salt and black pepper then take the sauce off the heat and allow to cool slightly before puréeing in a food processor. Return to the pan and heat through then stir in the cream (ensure the mixture does not boil once the cream has been added).
When the meat is done, remove the strings ten slice the lamb. Arrange the meat slices on serving plates, garnish with sprigs of watercress and serve accompanied by the sauce.