Amongst the many dishes that can be made with lamb, the roast leg of lamb is considered one of the most delectable. The meat, when cooked to perfection, exudes a tender and flavorful profile that tantalizes the taste buds. To elevate the taste of this dish even further, a marinade is often used to infuse the lamb with a burst of flavors and aromas. Whether you prefer a marinade that is tangy, savory, or infused with herbs and spices, there are countless options to suit your palate. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for creating delicious and simple marinades that will transform your roast leg of lamb into a culinary masterpiece.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
DELICIOUS SIMPLE MARINADE FOR ROAST LEG OF LAMB
This was a recipe that I originally got from allrecipes.com and have since modified. It is very simple and quick to make, but it yields one of the most delicious tasting roasts I've ever had. Be prepared for people to ask for seconds!
Provided by Slains Girl
Categories Low Protein
Time 15m
Yield 1/2 cup, 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix together all the ingredients. Taste and make adjustments to seasoning according to taste.
- Using a sharp knife, make several small slits into the leg of lamb to allow marinade to penetrate. Thoroughly baste the leg of lamb in the marinade.
- Place the lamb, along with the marinade, in a dish big enough to hold the meat. Pour the remaining marinade over it, and place in the refrigerator.
- Allow to marinate overnight, turning once. Baste meat once more before putting into the oven to roast.
- Enjoy!
LEMON-ROSEMARY ROAST LEG OF LAMB
We've taken the classic approach of studding the lamb with garlic and coating in a generously seasoned rub. Giving it time to marinate is the key, then roast for a crispy exterior and tender, juicy inside.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Trim the excess fat from the lamb, leaving a 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of fat. Using a sharp knife, make small slits, about 1/2 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart, all over the surface of the lamb. Fill each slit with a slice of garlic.
- Grate the lemon zest into a small bowl (reserve the lemon). Add the rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper. Rub the mixture all over the lamb. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove the lamb from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature about 1 hour before roasting. Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Set a rack in a roasting pan and set the lamb fat-side up on the rack. Cut the reserved lemon in half and squeeze the juice over the lamb; drizzle with the olive oil and rub all over to coat. Add the lemon halves to the pan. Roast until the fat on the lamb starts to sizzle, about 20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350˚ F and continue roasting the lamb until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 130˚ F for medium rare to medium, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes more. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 20 minutes before carving.
CHEF JOHN'S ROASTED LEG OF LAMB
I've done more than a few lamb dishes dedicated to Easter, but inexplicably have never posted one for a whole leg of lamb. It's such a classic Easter menu option, and, when prepared using this method, makes for a very user-friendly hunk of meat.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Leg
Time 10h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Stir 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses, garlic, rosemary, kosher salt, black pepper, Aleppo pepper, mint, and cumin together in a bowl.
- Arrange the butterflied leg of lamb onto a work surface with the fatty side facing down. Cut 2 deep slashes in each of the the fleshy ends of the meat. Flip the lamb and cut 10 to 20 shallow slashes across the surface of the fat.
- Spread 3/4 the pomegranate molasses mixture onto the meat-side of the lamb to coat completely. Fold meat together and turn into a large bowl. Spread remaining pomegranate mixture over the fatty side of the meat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a roasting rack in the bottom of a roasting pan.
- Remove lamb from marinade and discard excess marinade. Gather roast and place onto a work surface with fatty side facing upwards. Tie the center section of the roast with kitchen twine to cinch the roast together. Repeat ties four times along the length of the roast.
- Season roast with salt and transfer to prepared roasting pan. Pour water below the rack to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Roast in the preheated oven until hot and slightly pink in the center, about 1 3/4 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 135 degrees F (57 degrees C). Rest for 15 minutes, transfer to a plate, and brush with remaining pomegranate molasses.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.4 calories, Carbohydrate 5.8 g, Cholesterol 115.3 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 31.9 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 823.5 mg, Sugar 4.7 g
MARINATED LEG OF LAMB
This dish requires some advance planning, but it is well worth it.
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Yield Approximately 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Cut off as much fat as possible from the leg. Put onion, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, sugar and salt into saucepan, pour vinegar and water over them and bring to the boil. Let simmer 1 minute and set aside to cool. Put lamb into saucepan or pot into which it fits snugly, and pour lukewarm marinade over it. When cool refrigerate and turn the leg several times during the next 24 hours. The next day, remove leg from marinade and insert slivered garlic into the meat. Rub with salt and pepper, place in roasting pan and roast at 400 degrees until lamb is just browned (about 10 to 15 minutes). Add marinade ingredients, baste with marinade and reduce heat to 350 degrees. Roast for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, continuing to baste, until leg is done. A half an hour before roasting is finished, add the pitted, marinated plums or mushrooms with a few tablespoons of their liquid and baste. Serve with the sauce from the pan and white rice.
- Wash and thoroughly dry plums. Prick all over with a sharp needles and place in a deep enamel or glass dish. Blend vinegar, sugar and spices in another enamel saucepan and bring to the boil. Then pour this mixture evenly over the plums. Let stand another day and the next day repeat this procedure. On the following day, pour plums and marinade into glass jars so that plums are completely covered by liquid.
MARINATED LEG OF LAMB
Steps:
- Have the leg boned, leaving just the shank bone, and tied firmly. Pique surface of meat with garlic (cut gashes and insert garlic slivers). Rub leg well with rosemary and tarragon and put it in a deep kettle with the onion, bay leaf, parsley, garlic, salt, 1 teaspoon rosemary, pepper, and enough red wine to cover half the meat. Marinate in refigerator for 30 to 48 hours, turning leg several times to bathe it evenly.
- To cook, put leg in roasting pan and roast at 375° F, basting occasionally with some of the marinade. Allow 15 minutes per pound for rare lamb or about 18 minutes per pound for medium rare. If you use a meat thermometer, the lamb will be cooked rare when the thermometer registers 140°F.
- Serve with boiled white beans mixed with chopped garlic, chopped parsley, and olive oil. With this, drink a California Pinot Noir.
ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH MOROCCAN MARINADE
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, roasts, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Trim excess fat from leg of lamb. Make shallow incisions into the leg and insert a garlic sliver in each.
- Combine the spices with oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and fresh coriander to make a paste. Rub the paste over the lamb, place it in a roasting pan, cover and let stand 3 to 4 hours in a cool place or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven 350 degrees. Roast leg of lamb to the desired degree of doneness, basting once or twice during roasting. After about one hour and 10 minutes, internal temperature should be 120 to 125 degrees, medium rare. Allow to rest 10 minutes before carving. Juices can be used to make a gravy if desired. To do so pour fat from roasting pan, add the boiling water and, scraping the pan, cook over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes. Strain into a sauceboat.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 816, UnsaturatedFat 34 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 61 grams, SaturatedFat 22 grams, Sodium 189 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of lamb: A leg of lamb is a great choice for roasting, as it is a relatively tender cut with a good amount of fat. You can also use a shoulder of lamb, but it will take longer to cook.
- Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade is what will give your lamb its flavor, so make sure to use a good one. The recipe in the article is a great option, but you can also experiment with your own. Just be sure to use a marinade that contains acidic ingredients, such as lemon juice or vinegar, as this will help to tenderize the lamb.
- Cook the lamb slowly: Lamb is a tough meat, so it is important to cook it slowly over low heat. This will help to ensure that it is cooked evenly and remains tender.
- Let the lamb rest before carving: Once the lamb is cooked, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavorful.
Conclusion:
Roast leg of lamb is a delicious and impressive dish that is perfect for a special occasion. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that your lamb is cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. So next time you are looking for a special meal to make, give roast leg of lamb a try. You won't be disappointed!
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