The lamb available in today's market hardly
requires a typical English mint sauce (the tartness was originally
designed to cut through the stronger taste of mutton), but the
flavor combination of the two has become a welcome tradition.
Mint Sauce
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh
mint
3/4 cup beef broth
1/3 cup minced shallots
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Combine 1 cup mint, broth, shallots, vinegar
and sugar in heavy small non-aluminum saucepan. Stir over medium
heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cover and let stand 2 hours.
- Strain sauce into large glass measuring
cup. Place cornstarch in same saucepan. Gradually whisk in sauce.
Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir until
sauce thickens slightly and turns translucent, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Stir in remaining
2 tablespoons mint. Season with salt and pepper.
Makes about 1 1/4 cups.