by Susan Doyle
This
is my favorite way to cook leg of lamb, if you
don't like them, you can make it without anchovies,
but I recommend you try it.
Preheat
oven to 450 degrees
5-pound
leg of lamb, fell removed (skin often found on
lamb, leave thin coating of fat underneath)
8 garlic cloves
8 flat anchovy fillets cut into pieces
1/2 lemon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 bunch of fresh mint
3 tablespoons flour
Combine
chicken stock, water or milk with pan juices to
make 2 cups. Peeled potatoes quartered are
optional. Potatoes can be peeled and cut into
quarters and cooked in drippings along with the
roast if desired.
Pat
dry leg and rub lemon, then mustard over entire
surface of the roast.
Mix
salt and pepper together and pat into mustard/lemon
coating. With a sharp knife cut garlic cloves into
slivers, thick enough to push into slits in roast.
Drain anchovies and pat dry. Cut anchovy fillets
into two pieces each. With a very sharp knife, put
1 inch deep slits about 2 inches apart evenly over
surface of roast. Insert garlic sliver in first
slit alternating garlic and anchovies until all
slits are filled. If there is leftover garlic
and/or anchovies, place in small jar and cover with
olive oil for future use. Store in refrigerator for
up to two months.
Place
cleaned fresh mint, with stems removed, on rack,
topped with meat in a roasting pan and place in
oven. Immediately after putting meat in 450 degrees
oven lower temperature to 350 degrees. Roast 30
minutes to the pound for well done or until
internal temperature is 175 degrees to 180 degrees.
For slightly rare internal temperature should be
160 degrees to 170 degrees. Do not cover or
baste.
Remove
meat from pan and place it in warm oven while
preparing gravy. Save roasted mint to be pureed
later. Remove as much fat as possible from surface
of drippings saving 3 tablespoons to return to
roasting pan to absorb the flour. Pour off
remaining juices and set aside to add later. Return
3 tablespoons fat to roasting pan and warm over
medium heat. Add 3 T. flour a little at a time,
stirring with a whisk until the flour is, lump
free, thickened and well combined to a paste like
consistency. Puree roasted mint and add along with
liquid to gravy. Slowly add remaining juices and
warmed chicken stock, milk or water to make 2 cups,
stirring constantly until gravy is thickened and
flour is cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from pan and serve in gravy boat.