Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb

This recipe is best if domestic lamb is used, as it is much more mild and flavorful than imported lamb. I made this recipe for a friend in TN that did not have a smoker. It is based on my pulled pork recipe I perfected in a Trager smoker.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 10  pieces fresh thyme
• 10  pieces fresh rosemary
• 4  garlic cloves, diced
• 1⁄2 cup  dried apricot, diced
• 1⁄2 cup madeira wine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  Anjou pear, vadouvan (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  salt and pepper
• 4  garlic cloves, diced
• 1  teaspoon  coriander
• 1  teaspoon allspice
• 1  teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 6  cups  apple juice
• 1  ounce  of chopped fresh rosemary
• 1  ounce  of chopped fresh thyme
• 2  lemons, sliced
• 1  ounce  of chopped fresh herb
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  Anjou pear, vadouvan (optional)

Directions

1. Prep: Mix the stuffing to combine the ingredients. Rub the lamb with the mixture. Reserve the solids and most of the liquid for the stuffing. Tie the roast and refrigerate overnight.
2. Browning: In a large pan, combine the dry browning ingredients and rub the meat. Heat the oil in the pan and brown the roast on all sides. Deglaze, and add to the roasting pan.
3. Roasting: Preheat the oven to 225°F Rub the herbs onto the roast. Place the roast in a pan. Add liquid of choice, apple, pineapple, stout beer, Madeira are all good choices. You can use water at first and add flavor later in the roast. You can baste or rotate the roast. Basting maintains a better presentation of the herb crust. Rotating improves flavor and moisture. You can always finish with fresh herbs. Cook to 145F minimum temperature. Note, you can remove the meat at 5 degrees early as the temperature will rise during the rest. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/meat-preparation/focus-on-lambfrom-farm-to-table/CT_Index.
4. Finishing: Remove the roast and let rest at least 120°F This retains the juice and tenderness of the meat. Add liquid to the pan as needed to deglaze. Thicken to make a gravy as desired.
5. Notes:
6. If roasting vegetables, you will want to return them to an oven at 450F to properly brown them.
7. Vadouvan is an exotic spice that works well with Lamb. Use sparingly if you can find it.