Lamb

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Roast Semi Boneless Leg of Lamb

I had not made a leg of lamb in a long time it is a fatty meat, and my now older stomach lets me know when I have had a little too much fat. Mike and Gail were coming over for Xmas dinner wearing mask and all. Lyn and Gail both get tested for COVID at least once a month Mike and I figure if they do not have it then we are safe. So far, all checks have been negative. I have my basic recipe but always check others for any good ideas. I found one that broiled each side about 5 minutes before roasting, like the idea so what the heck I tried.  Not a bad idea, thanks Kitchn your recipe was very close to mine.

INGREDIENTS

1 (5 to 7 pound) bone-in leg of lamb (whole food had semi boneless)

3 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced.

Leaves from 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, coarsely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)

1 Lemon sliced (I draped over the lamb while roasting ) also rubbed the lamb with lemon juice after putting slices of garlic in

What you need

Roasting pan with rack

Aluminum foil

Sharp chef’s knife or carving knife, for carving

Instant-read thermometer

How

Take the leg of lamb out of the refrigerator about an hour before cooking so it comes closer to room temperature. This promotes faster, more even cooking.

Slice garlic thinly and using a paring knife make slits and insert garlic slices all over the lamb. Mince any left over

Rub the lamb with lemon juice .

Set the lamb in a rack inside a roasting pan. Drizzle with the olive oil and rub all over into the fat and meat. Season generously all over with salt and pepper. Position the lamb so that it is fat-side down.

Broil for 5 minutes. Arrange an oven rack so that the top of the lamb is a few inches from the broiler element. Heat the broiler. Broil until the surface of the lamb looks seared and browned, about 5 minutes.

Flip the lamb over and broil the other side. Flip the leg over and put back under the broiler until the other side is seared, about 5 minutes more.

Take the lamb out of the oven. Top with minced garlic, rosemary, and lemon slices. Turn off the broiler and set the oven temperature to 325°F. Reposition the oven rack to the middle of the oven. Rub the top of the lamb with the garlic and rosemary then top with lemon slices.

Cover the lamb loosely with foil and roast 40-1 hour. (Mine took 45 minutes see below for instant Thermometer temp guides) Tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil to keep the garlic and rosemary from burning.

Uncover and take the temperature. Uncover the lamb. Take its temperature with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part not touching bone. The lamb is ready when the temperature is 135°F or above. At 135°F the lamb is cooked to rare, but it will continue cooking as it rests, so we recommend taking it out of the oven at 135°F for medium-rare to medium. (Refer to the cooking chart above for general roasting times.)

If the lamb is not ready, continue cooking uncovered until it reaches your desired internal temperature, checking the temperature every 20 minutes.

Figure out where to carve. Let the lamb rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. Transfer the lamb to a clean cutting board. The bone runs through the meat at an angle, giving you two fairly big pieces of meat on either side of the bone. Start with the side of meat that feels most accessible to you.

Cut the meat into slices across the grain. Make straight, parallel cuts straight down through the thickest part of the meat until you hit the bone. You should be cutting perpendicular to the bone, across the grain of the meat. The slices will still be attached where they meet the bone.

Cut the slices off the bone. Turn your knife so that it’s now parallel to the bone instead of perpendicular. Starting at the end of the bone furthest from you, cut through the slices where they attach to the bone. Keep your knife close to the bone as possible. I got to chew the bone after dinner, chef’s treat.

Transfer the slices to a serving platter. Place the slices on a serving platter. Tent the platter with foil to keep the meat warm.

Recommend serving the lamb with mint jelly. I roasted some potatoes, carrots and Daikon radish (*that is another story) and a side salad.

*The other story I used misfits Market and choose a Daikon radish which I had not knowingly had before. It was huge about 1 foot and a half long. I gave half to Mike and Gail.

Gail and I had been working on a Legos project which we usually do when we go to their apartment.

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Other things I cooked during the stay in place orders

I love cooking and trying new things and being ordered shelter in place i’ve done a lot more. I’m trying to keep it interesting for Lyn but as I am sure you all we have both gained a little weight. Even with my almost daily 3-4 mile walks through the woods it’s been tough.

Baked potato tops with cheese, avocado and chilli, yes the potato is under there somewhere
Red Onion Relish
Veggie broth made from scraps good for soup base
Breakfast for supper
Salad for lunches with any leftover proteins or not
Lots of this
Salad and cauliflower crust pizza
  • Had the skinny part of the pork roast leftover
  • made fajita and homemade flour tortillas
Chicken cacciatore sort of with lentil pasta , got to use what you have
spaghetti and meatballs
Ravioli Puttanesca but added sundried tomatoes good addition
Roasted Veggies
Boredom
A very bland recipe for lettuce wraps not to be repeated
air fryer chicken
American Goulash
A much better lettuce wrap chicken cooked from the gut
Beer dough sausage pizza

And more……tonight Broiled BBQ-Spiced Rubbed Salmon

Thank Goodness we have a freezer for Butcher Box and Misfit Market

Stay safe and go wash your hands

Lyn and Steve

Grilled Lamb with Lemon and Garlic
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Grilled Lamb with Lemon and Garlic

To be trendy Gluten Free

 

Ok spring has officially hit us although the last two days have been in the 40s and raw I managed to cook this over the weekend when the weather was warmer, wet but warmer and it was not only easy but good. This coming from someone who used to grill all year round. You would see my little shoveled path to the grill on the deck. Another sign of spring besides those horny little peepers in the pond across the street is a permanent shelf space reserved for asparagus.

Anyway this was easy and definitely a do it again I did add my version of Tzatziki Sauce

This was a Lyn find, with a batting of the eyes and a simple do you think you could make this? From : theperfectpantry.com recipes

Serves 8.

Steve Note:  I had a smaller piece of lamb about 1 lbs. so cut everything in half. Oh on cooking check it at 5 minute on side 2.

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 lb boneless butterflied leg of lamb (a bit larger or smaller won’t make a difference)
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use nonfat)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 tsp chopped fresh rosemary & or oregano
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (try to find a fruity oil)

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How:

Remove the lamb from the refrigerator. Dry with a paper towel and set aside while you make the marinade.

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In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Add the lamb to the bowl, and massage to coat completely with the marinade. Transfer the meat and all of the marinade to a large ziploc plastic bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag, seal, and flatten the lamb so the marinade coats the entire piece of meat. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or up to 2 days (the longer, the better).

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To cook, heat a grill to 500°F. While the grill is heating, take the lamb out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Wipe off all of the marinade, and discard. If necessary to create a uniform thickness (it usually is not), run some long metal skewers through the meat to hold it flat on the grill. When the grill is hot, cook the lamb for 5 minutes on the first side. Turn, and cook for 10 minutes on the second side. Then, remove the lamb from the grill and take its temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part; if the temperature registers 125F (for rare lamb), remove the meat from the grill, and if not, put the meat back on the grill for a minute or two.

Remove from the heat and let the meat sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. The thicker parts will be rare; the thinner parts will be more well done.

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Lamb Köfte
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Lamb Köfte

Whole foods had ground lamb on sale last week so we bought 2 pounds and froze in 1 pound packages. Our original intent was to make Gyros or as Lyn calls it Lambie Pie  but then she saw this Gojee.com, so we cut this recipe in half and had a delightful meal. The original recipe is from Mehan’s Kitchen. We enjoyed this and I can’t wait to make again making a few adjustmetns to the spice amounts to our likings.

Yogurt tahini

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  • 1 cup yogurt (I used Greek)
  • 2 T tahini
  • 1 T fresh lemon juice
  • pinch of salt

Mix this all together and set aside to come to room temperature

Ingredients

Steve note to me remember I cut this recipe in half made 9 meatballs

Kofte

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  • 2 lbs ground lamb
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 c fresh, chopped mint
  • 1/4 c coarsely grated onion (this was messy)
  • 6 garlic cloves, pressed (original recipe called for 4)
  • 3 T paprika
  • 1 T ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 t kosher salt
  • 1 t freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cayenne pepper
  • 1 chopped green chili (optional)

 Caramelized Onions

  • 1 1/2 – 2 large onions, cut in half and sliced

 Muhammara

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  • 1/2 c finely chopped, drained roasted red peppers from jar
  • 1/2 c water
  • 2 T pomegranate molasses
  • 1 T freshly chopped flat leaf parsley

 

How

In large pan (I used a cast iron skillet) heat up some olive oil and sautee onions on medium-low (salt, pepper) and allow to caramelize, this should take about 40 minutes.

While this is cooking down combine all ingredients for the kofte in a large stainless steel bowl and form meatballs (however large you want, I made 20).  Place formed meatballs on pan (line it with something disposable).

Remove onions from skillet, place in a small serving bowl and set aside, next to the tahini yogurt.

Heat up oil in the same skillet on medium and in two batches cook the meatballs, turning them over halfway through the cooking process (about 15 minutes total).  Steve Note I found on my second batch  that more turning came out with a more evenly browned/ cook meatball. Let meatballs rest on clean pan and cover with foil.  Steve note I might try flatten the meatballs slightly making cooking a little easier.

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In the same skillet (don’t worry about cleaning it) sautee the chopped red peppers on medium high for a few minutes.  Pour in water, and then molasses and allow to reduce for about 5 minutes or so (It will start to glisten and get thick).  Toss in parsley.

Spoon out mixture into a small bowl and place next to the onions and tahini.  Toast up some bread, throw on some meatballs, spoon over some tahini, onions and muhammara and enjoy.

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Mehan's Kitchen

Mehan’s Kitchen

Related

Pomegranate-Glazed Lamb with Carrots and Parsnips Stevesacooking.com

Paprika Roast leg of Lamb Stevesacooking.com

Acorn squash ground lamb and kale  Stevesacooking.com

Roast leg of lamb lemon garlic and rosemary Stevesacooking.com

More lamb reciepes from Stevesacooking

 

Pomegranate-Glazed Lamb with Carrots and Parsnips
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Pomegranate-Glazed Lamb with Carrots and Parsnips

Last week Lyn went shopping for a few things on her own and there were a few impulse buys. We all do that I did it yesterday and ended up with American Chop Suey nice comfort food for a snowy day. Anyway she got a 4 lb. boneless leg of lamb. I used 1 lb to make ground lamb last weekend for Gyros. Today we made this roast and it was well worth the impulse buy well worth it.

Ingredients

Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cup Pomegranate juice
  • 3 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon, ground

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Veggies

  • 4 whole carrots, peeled
  • 1 1/2 cups large parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced – STEVE NOTE I did not have parsnip so I used potatoes
  • 1/3 cup Water

Lamb

  • 3 lb Boneless leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 teaspoon Minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon Cumin seeds – STEVE NOTE I did not have used ground Cumin
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoon Chopped fresh mint

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How:

Look for a mini boneless leg of lamb roast that weighs approximately 3 lb. These small roasts sometimes come prepacked in netting. For a leaner, cleaner tasting lamb we like to trim the fat off the surface. This requires removing the netting, trimming the fat, and retying your roast. The extra work is definitely worth it.

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine pomegranate juice, sugar, 1/2 tsp. of the black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.

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Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer until mixture is thick and syrupy and reduced to about 1/3 cup, about 20 to 25 minutes.

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3. Cut carrots and parsnips in half lengthwise and then cut into 3-inch pieces. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 2 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and toss vegetables with 2 Tbsp. of the pomegranate glaze.

4. Place lamb in the center of a large baking dish or roasting pan. Rub garlic into roast. Season with 1/2 tsp. of the salt, remaining 1/2 tsp. black pepper, and cumin seeds. Brush the top and sides of lamb liberally with pomegranate glaze. Distribute vegetables and their liquid around the roast. – STEVE NOTE – I rubbed the roast with garlic and the spices wrapped in plastic wrap and set in refrigerator for a few hours. Took out and let get to room temperature.

5. Roast for 40 minutes, stirring vegetables once or twice, until meat is cooked to about 115 degrees. Brush roast with any remaining glaze (if it has thickened, microwave for 15 seconds). Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. Cook until meat begins to brown in spots and the temperature reaches about 125 degrees for medium-rare, 140 degrees for medium, and 160 degrees for well done, according to your preference (about 10 to 20 minutes).

6. If you prefer your lamb more well done and it begins to overbrown, lower heat to 475 degrees and cover meat loosely with foil.

7. Transfer lamb to cutting board, tent with foil and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, spread vegetables evenly over baking dish and return to oven to bake until all the juices have evaporated and vegetables have begun to caramelize, about 4 to 5 minutes; watch that they don’t burn. Remove baking dish from oven and stir butter and mint into the vegetables.

8. Remove strings and use a sharp knife to cut lamb into thin slices. Transfer vegetables and lamb to platter and serve warm.

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Source: Hannaford fresh Magazine, September – October 2008
Paprika-Roasted Leg of Lamb
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Paprika-Roasted Leg of Lamb

It’s spring and the boneless leg of lamb was on sale at Wholefoods and Lyn had pinned this the other day so aside went the traditional Greek style recipe I use and we decided that this would be a good free meal for the week. Last year we tried something similar with lamb kabob and liked it. I thought the that is would be to spicy with the paprika and chili but surprisingly enough it was not and the spice snuck up on you as an after taste pleasant and mild. 


From Food and Wine

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon pure chili powder, such as ancho or pasilla
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • One 6 1/2-pound boneless leg of lamb, butterflied
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • 6 whole garlic cloves
  • 4 rosemary sprigs
  • 2 thyme sprigs
  • 1 lemon, sliced 1/4 inch thick

ingredients

I used a 2 lbs. boneless leg so I cut everything by 1/3 except the fresh herbs I used more. But watch the cooking time it cooked quickly. Although Lyn likes lamb well done I would have liked it a little less well done.  Even so it came out tasty and very tender.

 

How

Preheat the oven to 500°. In a small bowl, mix the paprika with the chile powder and cardamom. Rub the lamb with the olive oil and season with salt. Sprinkle the spices all over the lamb.

sprinly with the rub

Lay the lamb fat side down on a large rimmed baking sheet. Scatter the garlic cloves, rosemary and thyme sprigs and lemon slices around the lamb and roast on the top rack of the oven for about 25 minutes, or until nicely browned.

roasted

Turn the lamb fat side up and roast for about 25 minutes longer, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 130° for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice the lamb 1/4 inch thick and serve.

 slice 1/4 " and serve

Suggested Pairing

With their gamey notes and firm tannins (more European than Australian in style), South African Shirazes and Syrahs would pair superbly with this spice-roasted lamb

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Acorn Squash with Ground Lamb and Kale
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Acorn Squash with Ground Lamb and Kale

My brother in-law Mike (seems to be about 12 Mike’s in our families) usually has good taste in most things including food he posted this to his Facebook, I in turn pinned as it is called to my Pinterest and Lyn in turn batted her eyes and ask “Do you think you could…” So yesterday as we were drying some more Kiwi (metzah metz attempt) we went to Wholefoods to picked up so ground lamb and kale and as Lyn put it on the way home “ I am going to go home have a glass of wine while my husband cooks me dinner” Spoiled maybe but deservedly so, beside I love her ever so much.

From The Paleo Secret

Ingredients

  • 2 acorn squash halved and seeds removed (cut ends off both sides so they sit on a flat surface)
  • 1 to 1 ½ lbs of ground lamb
  • 2 bunches of kale (washed, de-stemmed and chopped)
  • 2 large onions (chopped)
  • salt and pepper
  • cumin
  • coriander
  • 4 Tbsp coconut or palm oil for cooking

Steve note: they do not give measurements I suggest from 2 Tsp to 1 Tbsp. or cumin and coriander. Also next time I am adding some cinnamon.

How

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Place acorn squash halves upside down in a baking dish and fill dish with a little bit of filtered water. Bake for 40 minutes or until soft and fork goes through easily.

While squash is baking, heat oil in a large skillet and sauté onions. Add kale and cover until it cooks down. Stir frequently. Heat oil in a second skillet and brown the ground lamb. Add salt, pepper, cumin and coriander to lamb while cooking. When kale is cooked down, add ground lamb to mixture with a slotted spoon. Stir and spoon into acorn squash bowls (once the squash halves are cooked). Drizzle with olive oil and serve. If you want extra meat, add a helping of meat mixture to the side of the bowl. Enjoy!

Other lamb recipes from stevesacooking.com

BBQ Masala Yogurt Marinated Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Leftover Lamb Flatbread Pizza drizzled with Pomegranate Molasses

Roast Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Garlic, and Rosemary

Lamb Stew with Spring Veggies

Gyros Sandwich “Lambie Pie”

 

Kale

What's New and Beneficial About Kale from Wholefoods
  • Kale can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in kale do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they’ve been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw kale still has cholesterol-lowering ability–just not as much.
  • Kale’s risk-lowering benefits for cancer have recently been extended to at least five different types of cancer. These types include cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from glucosinolates in kale play a primary role in achieving these risk-lowering benefits.
  • Kale is now recognized as providing comprehensive support for the body’s detoxification system. New research has shown that the ITCs made from kale’s glucosinolates can help regulate detox at a genetic level.
  • Researchers can now identify over 45 different flavonoids in kale. With kaempferol and quercetin heading the list, kale’s flavonoids combine both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in way that gives kale a leading dietary role with respect to avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
BBQ Masala Yogurt Marinated Butterflied Leg of Lamb
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BBQ Masala Yogurt Marinated Butterflied Leg of Lamb

I forget where we were but Lyn picked up the butterflied leg of lamb and said this would be just right. So in the carriage it went and a hunting through the cook books when we return I went. Something different was on my mind. I found this in the Food Network cookbook but they called for 5-6 lbs. and I had a 3 pounder so I cut the recipe below in half. I had no idea what Masala was but the ingredients look good to me.

They called for broiling but I used the grill.

BTW – Masala means “blend”. There are many different kinds of masala but the term refers is some combination of black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, cardamom, dried chilies, fennel, mace and nutmeg.

Ingredients

  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 1 – 3” piece of peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 tsps. ground turmeric
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 – 3” cinnamon1 bay leaf
  • 1 Tbsp. ground coriander plus 2 tsps.
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cumin, plus 1 tsp.
  • 1 tsp. curry powder
  • 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ medium onion
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk yogurt (We used lactose free “Green Valley” check it out)
  • Zest of one orange
  • 1 butterflied leg of lamb 5-6 lbs.
  • 3 tsps. kosher salt
  • Grilled Naan flat bread

How

Process garlic, turmeric, ginger and water to a paste in small food processor. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Ass the cinnamon and bay leaf and stir fry until the cinnamon unfurls, about 30 seconds. Add the garlic paste, coriander, cumin, curry powder and cayenne and stir-fry until browned and almost dry, about 1 minute. Scrape the mixture into a large shallow baking dish and cool slightly. Using the large holes in a box grater, grate the onion into the paste. Whisk in yogurt and orange zest.

Pierce the lamb all over with a fork. Cut the lamb in half following the natural seam that runs across the center of the meat. Put the lamb in the marinade and coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, tuning occasionally if possible.

About 45 minutes before cooking, take the lamb from the frig. Depending on your grill and prep to get ready work preheat the grill to high. I like to place a sheet of tin foil over the grill while heating up, this burns off anything that was left on leaving ashes, then I scrap let it heat back up to desired temp and then wipe with oil on a paper towel or cloth, using tongs, just before placing anything on the grill.

When ready place the lamb on the grill turn the heat to medium, season with 1\2 the salt and grill until just charred, about 15 minutes. Turn the lamb season with a rest of salt and grill until meat reaches 1300 for medium rare. Transfer to platter cover loosely with tin foil and let sit rest for about 10 minutes.

Slice the lamb across the grain salt and pepper to taste server with flat bread.

My first bite I thought was too much curry but the second bite gave me the real flavor and it was not only moist, tasty and tender but a very good choice for something different.

Another 2 heads bobbing approval from Lyn and Steve.

Other lamb recipes from Steve

Leftover Lamb Flatbread Pizza drizzled with Pomegranate Molasses

Roast Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Garlic, and Rosemary

Lamb Stew with Spring Veggies

Leftover Lamb Flatbread Pizza drizzled with Pomegranate Molasses
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Leftover Lamb Flatbread Pizza drizzled with Pomegranate Molasses

We had cooked a leg of lamb and frozen the leftovers. I took out of freezer for one of our weekday meals and when I opened the frig and saw it staring at me my gut started to say what do I have in here to make an interesting meal. Leftover spaghetti sauce (Lyn secret recipe), Tandoori NAAN All natural flat bread, feta cheese, pine nuts, scallions, fresh oregano, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate molasses . Note: The cherry tomatoes not in the frig of course but always on the counter, just started had the first two from the patio mmmmmmm nothing better. Ok inventory taken now what I asked myself looking at the clock Lyn would return soon from work she has the 50 mile commute and I have the 3.2 mile commute she does not get how difficult it can be stuck behind a school bus as opposed to 1-2 hours of stop and go traffic. Anyway… sauce on stove with minced lamb and some chopped fresh oregano added, brought to bubble and then turned off. Meanwhile I sliced scallion whites and greens, quartered the cherry tomatoes, slightly roasted a handful of pine nuts, crumbled the feta, and preheated oven to 400◦. I spread the sauce over the flat bread top with the other ingredients then drizzle with pomegranate molasses and into to oven for about 10 minutes or until I thought looked done.

The unique sweet taste of the molasses was a perfect complement.

Turned out great hot or cold.

Sorry I do not have any measurements I kind of went into auto mode isn’t that what leftover meals are all about?

Scallions are most commonly referred to as green onions in the United States. They are a variety of young onions with a long, thin white base that has not yet developed into a bulb and long straight green stalks that look like giant chives. Both the white base and the green stalks are commonly eaten. (about.com)

The pomegranate is a focal symbol in the legend and lore of many different cultures. Some hold that it was the pomegranate which was the fruit of temptation (remember the Punic apple?) leading to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden in the Bible.
With its abundance of seeds, the fruit has long been a symbol of fertility, bounty, and eternal life, particularly to those of the Jewish faith. Many paintings of the Madonna Virgin and Child prominently display a pomegranate. Ancient Egyptians were buried with pomegranates in hope of rebirth.
The Hittite god of agriculture is said to have blessed followers with grapes, wheat, and pomegranates. The seeds were sugared and served to guests at Chinese weddings. When it was time to consumate the marriage, pomegranates were thrown on the floor of the bedchamber to encourage a happy and fruitful union.
Berber women used pomegranates to predict the amount of their offspring by drawing a circle on the ground and dropping a ripe pomegranate in the center. The amount of seeds expelled outside the ring allegedly prophesied the number of her future children.
Mohammed believed pomegranates purged the spirits of envy and hatred from the body and urged all his followers to eat goodly amounts.
When Persephone was held captive in Hades, the Greek goddess of spring and fruit swore she would not partake of food until her release. However, she could not resist the tempting pomegranate, consuming nearly the entire fruit before halting herself and leaving only six seeds uneaten. It is from this story that believers think our yearly cycle of six months of growth and harvest followed by six months of winter is derived. (about.com)

Related articles
Roast Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Garlic, and Rosemary
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Roast Leg of Lamb with Lemon, Garlic, and Rosemary

The longer the lamb marinates in the seasoning paste, the better flavor you’ll have. Anywhere from 1 to 24 hours will work, but overnight is best. Slice the leftovers for pita stuffed sandwiches topped with tabbouleh.

Mike and Laurel came over for Easter but we started them off with Charoset on Matzah and some Matzah (Matzo) Ball Soup. Happy Eastover Day (The Day was for Laurels birthday we had boston cream pie for that.

From Martha Stewart – Mad Hungry, October 2010 Yield Serves 6 to 8 we served with mash potatoes and asparagus and my wife made a nice mint sauce with pomegranate molasses.

Ingredients

  • 2 whole lemons, washed, seeded, and chopped
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves removed
  • 5 to 6 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 boneless leg of lamb, butterflied, boned, and cut to lay flat (about 5 pounds)

Note: I was handed the recipe and rolled this not realizing that it was to cook flat. I found the video today and am red-faced. I thought 45 minutes was a pretty short time.

How

  • Place the chopped lemon, rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a food processor. A blender can also be used, if done in batches. If you have neither, finely chop all ingredients together.
  • Open up the lamb and lay it flat. Spread and massage the lemon paste evenly over the inside and outside of the lamb. Place in a baking dish and cover, or in a large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate overnight to marinate, turning occasionally.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Remove the meat from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before cooking. Place the lamb FLAT on a rack in a foil-lined roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Place the meat in the oven and after 5 minutes, reduce the temperature to 425 degrees. Roast for 45 minutes (rolled about 1 to 1/12 hrs) , or until medium rare, 140 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Allow the meat to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Raosted leg of lamb cooking flat   Raosted leg of lamb  Rosted Leg of Lamb rolled

Note: I think besides trying it roasting flat LOL, I would cut the lemon rind down to maybe 1 lemon it just had a little too much of the bitter taste, it was not overwhelming by any means and everyone else seemed to enjoy. I’m just saying.