Family-style Roast Leg of American Lamb

Servings: 8

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INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup whole diced butter

1/4 cup olive oil

4 to 6 pounds American Lamb leg, trimmed, bone-in, tied

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 teaspoons olive oil

1/4 pound Lamb bacon, diced, or pancetta

1 sweet onion, peeled, sliced into slivers

1 small fennel bulb, quartered, cleaned, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, sliced medium

4 red or yellow carrots, peeled, sliced into 1/4-inch circles

3 stalks celery, peeled, diced into 1/2-inch pieces

4 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup dry red wine

1 cup lamb or chicken broth

1 cup diced Italian tomatoes, peeled, seeded

3 sprigs fresh rosemary, picked lightly, minced

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley











DIRECTIONS

METHOD:

In a heavy casserole or rondo pan on stove top, heat butter and oil.  Season lamb with salt and pepper. Place lamb in pan; brown well on all sides.  Baste with the fat while browning. Remove lamb and reserve. Add oil; sauté bacon or pancetta until brown.  Add onion and fennel; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and carrots; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add celery and tomato paste; stir well.  Deglaze pan with red wine. Add broth and tomatoes; mix well. Return lamb to pan; baste with vegetables and sauce. Cover; bake at 325°F for 2 hours, basting every 15 minutes.  Remove cover; bake an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Remove lamb; let rest.

Place pan on stove; stir vegetables and sauce over medium heat.  Add rosemary and parsley; reduce until desired consistency.

Slice lamb; arrange on a platter.  Top with vegetable sauce.  

Chef’s Note:  Serve Family-style Roast Leg of American Lamb with soft polenta with Parmesan. 

Recipe and image provided by the American Lamb Board