James Martin, who will be in Aberdeen next week, knows a thing or two about Scotland’s blackface sheep.
The celebrity chef is headed to the city for Taste of Grampian to host demos and showcase his new book, James Martin’s Islands to Highlands.
While at the Saturday June 4 event, James may well share some recipes that include the blackface breed, which has its origins in the Scottish Highlands.
But if you want a preview, then have a go at making this blackface lamb steaks with ratatouille and salsa verde recipe.
It is sure to bring a smile to all faces.
Blackface lamb steaks with ratatouille and salsa verde
Serves 4
Ingredients
- small bunch of heather
- 4 x 200-g lamb steaks
- sea salt and freshly ground
- black pepper
For the ratatouille:
- 50ml olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 courgette, diced
- ½ aubergine, diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 4 tomatoes, diced
- small bunch of basil, torn
For the salsa verde:
- small bunch of mint,
- leaves picked and chopped
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 tablespoons nonpareille capers
- small bunch of flat-leaf parsley,
- chopped
- 4 anchovies, chopped
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 50ml olive oil
Method
- Light your BBQ. When the coals are silvery in colour, it’s ready to cook on.
- Scatter the heather over the coals, then place the rack onto the BBQ.
- Place the lamb onto the rack and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, seasoning as you go. Lift onto a board and let rest.
- To make the ratatouille, heat a flameproof pan on the BBQ until hot then add the oil and stir in the onions and garlic. After 1 minute, add the diced courgette, then after another minute, stir in the diced aubergine. Cook for a further 1 minute, then stir in the pepper, followed by the tomatoes and basil. Season, then gently simmer for a further 2 minutes.
- To make the salsa verde, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and season well.
- To serve, spoon the ratatouille into a bowl. Place the lamb onto 4 dinner plates and spoon over the salsa verde. Drizzle over a little more olive oil if you’d like to, and let everyone help themselves to the ratatouille.
Taste of Grampian to return next month
Taste of Grampian – which will be held on June 4 – is designed to be a fun day out for all of the family. Attendees can look forward to celebrity chef demos, masterclasses from local chefs, wine and gin tastings, workshops and more.
This will be the first time the festival will take place at P&J Live, moving from Thainstone Exchange and The Mart in Inverurie.
Ticket prices start from £12 for general admission and children under the age of 12 go free.
Click here if you want to purchase tickets.
- James Martin’s Islands to Highlands Islands is on sale from Quadrille publishers for £25. Photography by Peter Cassidy.
