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Lamb: Roast Leg of Lamb, Food 911

Source of Recipe

Tyler Florence


List of Ingredients

1 roasted garlic bulb
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 pounds whole leg of lamb, bone in
salt and pepper to taste


Recipe

In a small bowl, mash together the roasted garlic cloves, rosemary, lemon and oil; set aside. With a sharp knife, trim away the white skin that covers the lamb (also called fell) as well as the excess fat. Pull up the layer of fat and fell, cutting as you go to expose the meat underneath. Next, remove the tailbone and hipbone at the large end of the lamb.

Cut off the tailbone that protrudes out of the leg. Then, cut under and around the hipbone, scraping the meat away to expose the leg joint. Cut through the tendons around the joint and separate the hipbone. Cut down the length of the leg and remove the thighbone. The leg of lamb is now boneless. Divide the meat into 3 large pieces, this will facilitate quicker cooking. Score the surface of the lamb and rub it with the garlic paste. Roll up each boneless piece of lamb and tie with heavy kitchen string or butcherís twine to hold the roasts together. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill overnight.

Prepare a barbecue. Season the lamb roast generously with salt and pepper, then place on the hot grill. Sear the outside of the meat until brown all around, but do not char. Close the grill cover and roast for 30 minutes. The lamb is done when it is still pink and the internal temperature reads 135ºF. Allow the roast to stand 10 minutes to let the juices settle before cutting off the twine and slicing.


ROASTED PEAR SAUCE
4 red skinned Bartlett pears
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
6 garlic cloves
2 shallots
1 quart chicken broth, low sodium
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Split the pears in half and cut out the core. Brush the flesh with 2 tablespoons olive oil and place face down on a hot grill. Wrap the garlic and shallots in an aluminum foil pouch, pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil along with a little bit of water to create steam and seal. Place the packets on the hot grill and roast until soft, about 15 minutes. In a saucepan, combine remaining oil, chicken broth, rosemary and vinegar. Add the grilled pears, roasted garlic and shallots to the saucepan. Cook until the mixture reduces by half. Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Serve with Leg of Lamb.