Roast Leg Of Lamb Armenian Style Recipes

ROAST LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut slits in the top of the leg of lamb every 3 to 4 inches, deep enough to push slices of garlic down into the meat. Salt and pepper generously all over the top of lamb, place several sprigs of fresh rosemary under and on top of the lamb. Place lamb on roasting pan.
• Roast in preheated oven until the lamb is cooked to your desired doneness, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Do not overcook the lamb, the flavor is best if meat is still slightly pink. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.

PERFECT BONELESS LEG OF LAMB ROAST RECIPE:

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine garlic, rosemary, and pepper. Add olive oil and lemon juice. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
• Remember - Do not remove the netting that is around the lamb roast.
• Rub the Herb Seasoning Rub mixture all over the outside of the lamb.
• Room Temperature: To cook evenly, the lamb roast must not be cold - let it stand at room temperature, loosely covered, for approximately 1 hour or even more. This time can vary depending on how big or small your lamb roast is. I can not give you an exact time on this. If you do not let the roast come to room temperature, it will take longer to cook your roast. Your roast will not cook evenly, and you will end up with well-done slices on the end and raw meat in the center. Use your best judgment!
• Previously Frozen: If your boneless leg of lamb is frozen, let it thaw completely in the refrigerator. Remove the roast from the refrigerator about 2 to 4 hours before cooking to let it come to room temperature. Depending on the size of your roast, the time to come to room temperature may vary. I can not give you an exact time on this. Use your best judgment!
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Pat the room-temperature boneless leg of lamb roast dry with paper towels or napkins. Using your hands, rub the outside of the lamb roast with olive oil or with the Herb Seasoning Rub (see above Herb Seasoning Rub).
• Do NOT salt the outside of your lamb roast, as salt draws out moisture from the meat while cooking. You can use other seasonings or the Herb Seasoning, if desired, but I find it is not necessary. I know that some people do salt their meats before cooking, but trust me and do not salt - the result will be a juicy and delicious lamb roast to serve your family and guests!
• Place the lamb roast on a roasting rack in a heavy stainless-steel pan or other metal roasting pan. NOTE: Select a roasting pan that has sides at least 3-inches deep. (I do not recommend using nonstick pans, as these pans yield fewer of the cooked-on bits that make the tasty au jus juice.)
• Sear the lamb roast for 15 minutes at the higher oven temperature (450 degrees F.), then turn the oven to the lower temperature (325 degrees F.) for the rest of the cooking time. Do Not Cover the roast.
• NOTE: If you ignore every other bit of advice I have given, please pay attention to this - For a perfectly cooked leg of lamb roast, invest in a good meat thermometer. Internal temperature, not time, is the best test for doneness and you don't want to blow this meal!
• Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of lamb (not resting in fat). Cook until the lamb roast reaches an internal temperature of 120 degrees F. Remove from oven, cover with aluminum foil, and let sit approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Remember, the lamb roast will continue to cook as it sets. The temperature will rise to 125 degrees F. to 130 degrees F. internal temperature (medium rare) at 15 to 20 minutes. If allowed to rest as long as an hour, the temperature will rise even higher. So, pay attention to how long you let the cooked lamb roast sit.
• About 1/2 hour before the estimated end of the roasting time, begin checking the internal temperature.
• Place the cooked lamb roast on a large Meat Cutting Board with a well at one end to hold the juice.
• Using your scissors, cut off the netting to remove and discard it. Using a sharp knife, slice the meat across the grain into whatever thickness you prefer. Sharpen your Carving Knife, if necessary using either a sharpening rod or stone.
• Steel Sharpening Rod: To use a Steel Sharpening Rod or Steel, pull the edge down and across the rod, holding the carving knife at the same angle. Do this anywhere from 5 to 10 times.
• Sharpening Stone (whetstones): To use a Sharpening Stone (whetstones), hold the carving knife at a 10 to 15-degree angle to the stone. Push back and forth in smooth, steady strokes.
• Au Jus is aFrench term meaning "with juice." The term is used to describe the serving of meat, most often prime rib roast, but this technique works great with Leg of Lamb, surrounded in or served with a container of the natural juices that were produced as drippings while the meat was being cooked. It is not thick like a typical sauce or gravy.
• While the cooked lamb roast is resting, now is the time to make a sauce from the drippings. Carefully spoon off any excess fat and discard. Scrape the bottom of the roasting pan to loosen the sediment. Pour the lamb juices (from the bottom of the roasting pan) into a saucepan. Add some red wine and some of the herbs (if used) that are left in the roasting pan.
• IMPORTANT: Making Au Jus is more of a technique and not a recipe. You will have to do this by feel or guess work. It depends on how much juice is left in your pan (plus the juice from slicing the lamb roast), and how many people you will be serving.
• Add the wine to the saucepan with the lamb juices and bring to a boil, and cook until the stock is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. NOTE: Au jus is not thick like a typical sauce or gravy. Add the butter and mix it in by swirling the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a gravy boat.
• Serve this sauce on the side when serving the sliced lamb roast. NOTE: Some chefs will strain the sauce before adding the butter (your choice).

PERFECT ROASTED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Bring the leg of lamb to room temp. Take the leg of lamb out of the refrigerator and leave in room temperature for about 1 hour. In the meantime, prepare the remaining ingredients and make the lamb rub.
• Prepare the seasoning. To make the rub or seasoning, in a food processor, combine the rub ingredients. Blend until smooth. Set aside (or in the fridge, if preparing in advance).
• Salt the meat. When ready, pat the lamb dry and make a few slits on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.
• Sear the Lamb. Turn the oven on broil. Place the leg of lamb on a wire rack and put it directly on the top rack so that it's only a few inches away from the broiler element. Broil for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the leg of lamb is nicely seared. Remove from the oven, then adjust the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Apply the seasoning or rub. When the lamb is cool enough to handle, insert the garlic slices in the slits you made earlier. Now cover the leg of lamb on all sides with the wet rub and place it in the middle of a roasting pan with an inside rack. Add two cups of water to the bottom of the roasting pan.

ARMENIAN STUFFED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Marinate lamb: Remove fell (the thin outer membrane) and all but 1/8-inch layer fat from lamb. Make 12 small incisions in outside surface and insert garlic slivers. Combine oil, lemon juice, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place lamb in glass dish and spread o il mixture evenly over inside and outside surfaces. Let stand covered at room temperature 1-1/2 hours or refrigerate overnight. (If lamb is refrigerated, let warm to room temperature 1-1/2 hours before roasting.).
• Make stuffing about 1-1/2 hours before roasting lamb: Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery; saute until tender but not browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, pine nuts and parsley. Reduce heat to low and cook until rice turns opaque, 2-3 minutes. Gradually stir in broth. Stir in currants and pepper to taste. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer covered until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and add allspice and cinnamon while fluffing rice with fork. Let cool at room temperature about 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 475 degrees.
• Place lamb, fat side down, on work surface. Spoon about 2 cups stuffing into pocket where bones were. Press leg together and tie at 1-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place lamb on rack in roasting pan. Spoon remaining stuffing into small casserole and set aside.
• Roast lamb on rack in upper third of oven until browned, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Carefully pour 1-1/2 cups water into pan. Continue to roast, basting every 15 minutes, until meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of leg registers 145 degrees for medium-rare; it will take about 45 minutes. Fifteen minutes before lamb is done, spoon 1-2 T. pan juices over stuffing in casserole and bake in oven until heated through. Transfer lamb to carving board and let stand 15-20 minutes.
• Spoon fat from pan juices, then heat juices to boiling, scraping loose browned bits on bottom of pan. Strain into sauceboat and season with pepper.
• Slice lamb 1/2-inch thick and serve with stuffing and pan juices.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB-ARMENIAN STYLE!

Steps:

• Mix garlic, basil and mint.
• Cut deep slits into the lamb and fill them with the mixture.
• Salt and pepper the lamb.
• Sprinkle with dried rosemary and top with the sliced onions.
• Cover with aluminum foil and roast in a 350F oven, about 1/2 hour per pound of lamb.
• Remove the foil for the last 1/2 hour of cooking.

ROASTED LEG OF LAMB

Steps:

• Place the lamb on a sheet pan covered with foil. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, white wine, garlic, salt, black pepper, and thyme leaves. Stir to blend and rub all over the lamb. Cover and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for a few hours or overnight, turning the lamb over from time to time and recoating it with the marinade.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Remove the lamb from the marinade and season on all sides with salt, pepper and olive oil. Reserve the leftover marinade for later use.
• In a roasting pan fitted with a roasting rack place the lamb, fatty side up, on the rack and place it in the center of the oven. . Having the leg elevated off the bottom of the pan will allow for more even roasting. At 425 degrees F, the roast should start to brown fairly quickly.
• After 25 to 30 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. I usually count between 12 to 14 minutes per pound of meat (including the weight of the bone) for a roast. When the oven heat is lowered, count about 30 to 40 minutes and then check the inner temperature of the thickest part of the roast with an instant-read thermometer. Cook it to about 130 degrees F. The meat, once it "rests" will be a nice medium rare. Remove the roast and turn it fat side down onto a flat surface to rest. Resting the lamb on the opposite side will help to redistribute the juices. Note: Save the pan drippings.
• Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium low heat. Add the reserved marinade, dry sherry and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Whisk together and simmer until thick. Transfer the sauce to a gravy boat and serve with lamb.
• Slice the lamb (against the grain) and serve family style.

ARMENIAN LAMB

Steps:

• Cube meat ad brown a few pieces at a time. Remove meat and add onions and garlic. Cook slowly for 5 mins, stirring. Dust in the flour and spices and continue cooking 3-4 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and stock away from heat. Blen till smooth. Return to stove and bring to the boil stirring. Add meat and cook in slow oven mk 2 for 3 hours. Pilaf rice cooked in chicken stock with onion - add currants and pistachios.

ARMENIAN LAMB AND GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the lamb and vegetables: Thread the eggplant slices onto 2 parallel skewers, piercing through the skin to stabilize the slices flat. Thread the zucchini slices the same way on 2 more skewers. Thread the onion slices the same way, piercing through the widest part of the slices. Finally, thread the tomatoes the same way, piercing though their equators with the stem sides facing up.
• Place skewers on a sheet tray and drizzle and season all sides with olive oil, 1 teaspoon zaatar, salt and pepper.
• Drizzle both sides of each lamb chop with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and remaining tablespoon zaatar.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan for cooking over medium-high heat and heat a wide, heavy-bottomed braiser or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Sear the lamb chops in the braiser for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted through the center of the meat (avoid bone) reads 135 degrees F. Cover with foil and let rest while you grill the vegetables.
• Grill the eggplant and zucchini skewers, flipping once, until they have grill marks and are slightly tender, 3 to 5 minutes total. Meanwhile, grill the onion skewers, flipping once, until slightly charred and tender, 7 to 8 minutes total. Grill the tomatoes, flipping once, until they just start to burst and release their juices, 5 to 6 minutes total.
• For Herb Sauce: Stir together the olive oil, vinegar, dill, mint, parsley, garlic, serrano and shallot in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove the vegetables from the skewers to a serving platter or bowl. Place the lamb chops on a second platter and drizzle with the herb sauce and any juice left behind in the pan.