Recipe provided by Chef John Critchley, Bourbon Steak, Washington DC
Servings: 4-6 Preparation Time: 60 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
AMERICAN LAMB
1 boneless leg of American Lamb (5 to 6 pounds
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons sumac
2 tablespoons ground fennel seed
1 tablespoon ground pasilla chile, or other medium-hot chile, such as ancho or mulato
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground clove
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
ONION GRAVY
1 cup drippings from roasting pan
1 cup thinly sliced onions
1 cup Rioja or other red wine
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
POTATO SOUFFLE
3 pounds medium size Yukon gold potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut in 8 to 10 pieces
1/2 cup all purpose flour
8 large eggs
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
Pat the American Lamb leg dry with paper towels and set aside.
Combine the salt, sumac, fennel seed, ground chile, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, oregano and rosemary in a small bowl and stir to combine. Add the olive oil and stir to make a thick paste. Rub the paste over the entire American Lamb leg, making certain to coat all of the surfaces.
Place the rub-coated American Lamb leg on the rack of a roasting pan with foil on the bottom. Refrigerate the leg for 2 to 3 hours, or allow to sit at least 30 minutes at room temperature. Thirty minutes before you’re ready to roast the American Lamb leg, heat the oven to 450°F.
Put the roasting pan with the American Lamb leg on a rack in the middle of the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 325°F and continue to roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the roast registers 140°F for medium rare. Plan on 25 to 30 minutes per pound, or a total of approximately 2-1/2 hours for a 5 to 6 pound leg. Begin checking the temperature after 1-1/2 hours, to get a sense of how quickly the meat is cooking.
When it reaches 140°F, remove the American Lamb leg from the oven and pour 1/2 cup water in the bottom of the pan. Cover the lamb leg loosely with foil and let stand 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.
ONION GRAVY
Add the pan drippings to a medium size saucepan and warm over medium high heat. When the dripping and fat are hot, add the onions and t sauté the onions until soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes.
Add the butter and flour, reduce the heat to medium and cook stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the total volume of liquid by half, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until it has reduced slightly and thickened to the consistency of gravy.
POTAO SOUFFLE
Heat the oven to 400°F Generously butter a round soufflé dish or casserole that is approximately 4-inches deep and 10 inches in diameter. Set aside.
Place the potatoes in a large pot filled with cold water. Season generously with salt. Bring the water to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook the potatoes until fork tender, about 15 minutes depending on size.
Pour the potatoes into a colander and shake to remove as much moisture as possible. Place the potatoes in a food mill or a potato ricer and add them back to the pot with the butter and flour. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. The mixture should come together into a single, cohesive mass.
Transfer the potato mixture to the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds while you crack the eggs into a liquid measure. Lightly whisk the eggs and slowly add to the potatoes with the mixture running. Increase the speed to medium when all of the eggs. Mix 1 minute or until the eggs are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Scrape the contents of the miser bowl into the prepared baking dish and place on rack in the middle of the oven. Bake until the soufflé has nearly doubled in size and is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately.