Pot Roast of Lamb

JackieOhNo!'s Note:

Roast leg of lamb is a glorious dish, but the less-expensive shoulder, subtly flavored with herbs and simmered to a melting tenderness, can be just as - if not more - delicious. It must be boned first, but most butchers will do that for you. Then it's simply a matter of spreading with an aromatic mixture of herbs, rolling and braising with vegetables.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 (5 1/2 lb) boneless lamb shoulder
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed beef broth, undiluted
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 lbs new potatoes (about 12)
• 8 medium onions, peeled
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

Filling

• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Directions:

1. Wipe lamb with damp paper towels. Trim excess fat. Spread flat on board, pound with mallet to make even thickness. Pour lemon juice over lamb to cover completely.
2. For filling: In bowl, combine chopped onion, parsley, salt, basil, marjoram and garlic; mix well. Spread onion-parsley mixture evenly over lamb to within 1 inch of edge all around. Starting at short side, roll up, tie roll with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals to secure. If necessary, close ends with toothpicks.
3. Slowly heat the butter in an 8-quart Dutch oven. In hot butter, brown roast evenly on all sides, turning with wooden spoons - takes about 25 minutes. Spoon off excess fat. Pour beef broth into a 2-cup measure. Add water to measure 1-1/2 cups. Add to lamb along with bay leaf, bring to the boiling point. Reduce heat, simmer, covered, 1-1/2 hours, turning meat at least once.
4. Wash potatoes; pare strip around each one. Add potatoes and onions to Dutch oven. Simmer, covered, 40 minutes, or until lamb and vegetables are tender (test vegetables with a fork).
5. Remove lamb, potatoes and onions to serving platter. Keep Warm. Remove string from lamb, let stand 20 minutes for easier carving.
6. Skim fat from pan liquid. Measure liquid; add water to make 1-3/4 cups. Mix flour with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth.
7. Stir into pan liquid, bring to boiling, stirring. Add chopped mint. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Spoon some of mint gravy over meat, and pass the rest. Garnish serving platter with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Reviews

[Pesto lover]

This is a marvelous recipe. The pot roast was full of flavor and the meat was tender. We love lamb, so I will be making this often. Thanks so much for sharing this excellent recipe.