Cooking leg of lamb is usually done on special occasions as it’s commonly believed to be difficult to prepare. In fact, the meat can be cooked in many simple ways. Here are some of the more popular methods.
Grilling
Start by marinating the leg for nine hours. Remove the lamb from the marinade and throw the mixture away. Let the lamb rest for half an hour at room temperature. Heat the grill.
For a charcoal grill, it should be set to medium-hot. If it is a gas grill, turn it to moderate.
Cook the lamb for 35 minutes. Turn it around so all sides are cooked. Add some sauce and spices. Flavors you can include are lime, garlic, or vinegar. You can also use some sherry or wine.
After cooking the leg of lamb, cover it with foil. Let it rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Oven Roasting
Preheat the oven to 475 F. Get the lamb and apply whatever seasonings you desire. You can use the ones mentioned earlier. Put the lamb in the pan and cook.
For the first 15 minutes cook at 475 F. Afterwards reduce the heat to 350 F. Continue cooking. Let it cook for 20 minutes for every pound.
Use a meat thermometer to get more accurate readings. If you want the lamb medium rare, stop cooking when the readout states 145 F.
After cooking the leg of lamb, allow it to rest for 15 minutes beneath a foil.
Boneless Leg Lamb Roast
Start by marinating the leg. When marinating is finished, preheat the oven. Set it to 375 degrees. Set the lamb on the rack and insert the thermometer. Place it on the pan. The side with the fats must be facing up.
Cook in the oven for 45 minutes, then lower the setting to 325 F. If you want it medium, wait until the thermometer reads 160 F. For well done, keep baking until it reads 170 F.
When you are done cooking a leg of lamb, give it about 10 minutes of rest after which you can serve it. Cut into small slices and serve it with cool drinks.
Tips and Hints
For a more unique flavor, cook the lamb on the rack instead of in the pan. For extra flavor when making boneless lamb, add plenty of herbs. You can use thyme, oregano, pepper, and parsley.
Or you can combine rosemary with some basil and onions instead. For stronger flavor, you can always add vinegar.
Give your lamb more flavor by stuffing it. Try some cashew, mint, or small chunks of dried fruit. Add some coriander and cumin to give the meat a nice scent. If you’re roasting, consider putting some olive paste.
Or you can put in some apricot mustard as a glaze. When glazing, you can also apply some lemon juice. You can also include potatoes when cooking.
If you’re cooking a leg of lamb, you shouldn’t be intimidated by the numerous choices. By knowing the many ways it can be cooked, you’ll have an easier time finding the right method for your recipe.
