Roasted Leg of Lamb (Bone In)

Lamb prepared this way needs no extras for flavor. It is delicious. If you wish, however, you may serve it with Greek lemon sauce or mint jelly. After the initial high heat of 450°F, you may reduce the cooking heat to 350°F as in this recipe or to 325°F, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. Lower temperature makes the lamb even more tender; however, some people find it too mushy when cooked at that temperature so prefer 350 degrees. At 350°F is is still tender and very tasty. If you are cooking less than a 5 pound leg of lamb, do the math and adjust the cooking time and it should come out finished at that time. Insert an instant read thermometer to be sure the meat is done and aim for 130-140°F.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 5  lbs leg of lamb, bone-in
• 1  teaspoon ground rosemary (or use 2 tsp. freshly minced)
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1  teaspoon pepper
• 2  large garlic cloves
• 3  tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Mix rosemary, salt, and pepper in small dish.
3. Rub half of spice mixture over larger end of leg of lamb.
4. Slice 2 large garlic cloves into about 15 to 20 slivers and mix with remaining spices in bowl.
5. Cut 15 to 20 small slits in leg of lamb and place spiced garlic cloves into the slits.
6. Rub 3 tablespoons olive oil over the surface of the leg of lamb.
7. Place on rack in center of roasting pan and place in preheated oven.
8. Cook for 15 minutes at 450°F and then lower heat to 350°F for rest of cooking time of 1 1/4 hours (or, alternatively, lower heat immediately and cook at 325°F for adjusted cooking time).
9. Remove from oven and test with instant read thermometer inserted into thickest part of leg; consider lamb done at 130-140°F (temperature will rise about 5 degrees out of oven).
10. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest 10-15 minutes.
11. Slice into thin slices and serve.