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Oven Roasted Bone Marrow: Quick Dinner Recipes

Bone marrow, often overlooked, is a culinary delight that deserves a spot on your dinner table. This rich, buttery delicacy has a unique umami flavour and can transform a simple meal into an indulgent experience. Perfect for those evenings when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, oven roasted bone marrow is both quick to prepare and extraordinarily delicious. In this article, we’ll explore a few straightforward recipes that showcase this delectable ingredient.

Understanding Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue found inside large bones, often sourced from beef or lamb. When roasted, it becomes wonderfully creamy and can be easily spread on crusty bread, added to soups, or served as a luxurious side. It’s rich in nutrients, making it not only a treat for your taste buds but also a wholesome addition to your diet.

Selecting the Right Bones

When shopping for marrow bones, look for femur bones cut into 2 to 3-inch segments. You can find these at most butchers or in the meat section of your local supermarket. Ensure they are fresh and have a good amount of marrow inside – the more marrow, the better!

Basic Oven Roasted Bone Marrow Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 large beef marrow bones
• Sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (such as rosemary or thyme), optional
• Crusty bread, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Prepare the Bones: Rinse the marrow bones under cold water. Pat them dry with a paper towel and arrange them on a baking tray, cut-side up.
3. Season: Generously season the exposed marrow with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to sprinkle some fresh herbs over the top for added aroma and flavour.
4. Roast: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for about 15-20 minutes, or until the marrow is bubbly and has begun to brown slightly on the top. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
5. Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve with warm crusty bread for spreading.

Variations to Elevate Your Dish

While the basic recipe is fantastic on its own, here are a few variations to elevate your oven roasted bone marrow experience.

Bone Marrow with Garlic and Herbs

Ingredients:

• 4 large beef marrow bones
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions: Follow the basic recipe but mix the minced garlic and herbs with the salt and pepper before seasoning the marrow. This variation adds a fragrant punch and can be served with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.

Bone Marrow with Spiced Breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• 4 large beef marrow bones
• 50g stale bread, finely crushed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Sea salt, to taste

Instructions: Mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil, paprika, parsley, and salt. After roasting the marrow bones for about 10-15 minutes, remove them from the oven and spoon the breadcrumb mixture on top. Return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the crumbs are golden and crispy.

Bone Marrow Soup

Ingredients:

• Roasted marrow bones (from the basic recipe)
• 1 litre beef stock
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 sticks of celery, chopped
• Fresh herbs, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions: After roasting the marrow bones, scoop out the marrow and set it aside. In a pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft. Add the beef stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in the marrow, season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

Conclusion

Oven roasted bone marrow is a simple yet sophisticated dish that can dazzle your family and friends. Whether enjoyed on its own or incorporated into a hearty soup, this rich, savoury treat is sure to become a favourite in your culinary repertoire. So, why not elevate your next dinner with this delectable delicacy? You may just find that bone marrow quickly becomes a regular feature on your menu. Enjoy!