100. Rioja-braised lamb shanks with chorizo & garlic

Home Cooking Made Easy p127

It seems fitting to be cooking the final recipe from the challenge today on New Year’s Eve. So fasten your seatbelts readers, (or passengers) for one final ride on the rollercoaster that is my Home Cooking Made Easy 2012 Challenge.

77. Minted lamb & coriander burgers with cucumber yoghurt

Home Cooking Made Easy p116

I’m sure most of you use the word “minted” as a synonym for “cool,” “ace,” “hip,” etc. E.g. “That car is well minted bruv.” But I must advise you that this recipe title is in fact referring to the common herb, mint, and not urban speak.

73. 74. and 75. Rack of lamb, white chocolate mousse and bubble wrap sugar

Home Cooking Made Easy p96, 188 and 225

Lorraine describes this dish as “the ultimate dish to prepare if you are in a hurry.” I would have thought the ultimate would be that great student dish, pasta and salt, or even quicker, toast.

34. and 35. Roast leg of lamb with roast broccoli

Home Cooking Made Easy p135 and p153

Spring has sprung, little lambs are gambolling in the fields, what better way to celebrate than to slaughter, roast and eat one of them!

21. Decadent rosemary & Worcestershire sauce shepherd’s pie

Home Cooking Made Easy p58

I remember once arriving at an event where someone shook my hand and said “Warm welcome.” I thought, I’ll be the judge of that and replied “Insincere handshake.” I feel the title of this recipe is a bit like this – let the taster decide if it’s decadent or not.

7. Lamb, chickpea & pear tagine

Home Cooking Made Easy p112.

I think Lorraine has some sort of a pear obsession, because there are six recipes in this book featuring pears. Contrast that with only one apple recipe, and you get a woman whose fruit priorities are seriously skewed.