Jean-Guy's Basque-Spiced Leg of Lamb
- 1/2 cup (12.5 cl) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup (80 g) coarse-grain Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon finely ground hot red pepper (such as Piment d'Espelette)
- 1/4 cup (65 g) sheep's milk full-fat yogurt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 legs of lamb, each about 1 3/4 pounds (around 800 grams), bones and trimming reserved
- 3 tablespoons peanut oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
- Combine all the marinade ingredients.
- Place the legs of lamb in a roasting pan that will hold the meat snugly.
- With a pastry brush, brush the marinade over all sides of the legs of lamb.
- Cover with plastic wrap and marinate at room temperature for at least 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- In a large skillet, heat the peanut oil over high heat.
- Remove the legs of lamb from the marinade, drain, and sear the lamb on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Return the lamb to the roasting pan with the marinade and any bones and reserved trimming.
- Place in the center of the oven and roast, allowing 10 to 12 minutes per pound (500 g) for medium rare, 15 minutes for medium.
- (Lamb is medium rare at an internal temperature of 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), medium to well done at 145 to 175 degrees F (63 to 80 degrees C).
- Turn the lamb several times during roasting and baste occasionally.
- Remove lamb from the oven and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the lamb to a platter, and place on an angle against the edge of an overturned plate.
- Cover loosely with foil.
- Turn off the oven and place the platter in the oven, with the door open.
- Let rest a minimum of 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
- The lamb will continue to cook during this resting time.
- 7.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Place the baking dish over moderate heat, scraping up any bits that cling to the bottom.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping and stirring until the liquid is almost caramelized.
- Do not let it burn.
- Spoon off and discard any excess fat.
- Add several tablespoons cold water to deglaze (hot water will cloud the sauce).
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- While the sauce is cooking, carve the lamb and place on a warmed platter.
- Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve and pour into a sauce boat.
- Serve immediately, with the lamb.
extravirgin olive oil, coarsegrain, pepper, yogurt, thyme, bay leaves, garlic, lamb, peanut oil, salt
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/jean-guys-basque-spiced-leg-of-lamb (may not work)