Greek Lamb with Spinach, Pinenuts and Feta

Turn the slow cooker on to pre-warm while gathering and preparing the ingredients.

Defrost the spinach if frozen and place between two dinner plates. Squeeze the plates over a sink and allow excess moisture to fall away. Press as firmly as possible as you want the spinach to be as dry as possible. If using fresh spinach, wash the leaves, remove the stalks and cook the leaves in a saucepan with only the water that clings to the leaves until wilted. Drain and chop finely.

Mix the spinach together with the spring onions, parsley, dill, feta and parmesan cheeses and pine nuts. Season well with pepper.

Using skewers, secure the opening of the boned leg of lamb at the knuckle end. Pack the filling into the cavity where the bone has been removed. Use skewers and or string to secure the opening at the top of the leg of lamb to ensure the filling is well-enclosed.

Brown the lamb as well as possible in a dash of oil in a hot frying pan. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Scatter in the onion and garlic and pour in the wine and olive oil. Season with pepper and salt and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Carefully remove the lamb from the slow cooker. Scatter in the chick peas, parsley, olives and lemon rind and stir to mix. Cover and cook on high for a further 30 minutes while the lamb is resting.

Serve the lamb sliced with spoonfuls of the chick peas and juice and accompany with grilled sliced aubergine and baked vine tomatoes.

^{This recipe is from Allyson Gofton’s cookbook Slow, which features Alan Gillard’s gorgeous photography and is available now at all good booksellers}