Lamb
Roast Lamb Leg with Pistou
(4-6 servings)
Pistou is a French version of pesto, and is perfect for a roasted leg of lamb
For the Pistou
- 6 large garlic cloves
- 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, trimmed, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- With processor running drop garlic through feed tube, chop finely. Add basil; process until finely chopped. With processor running, add oil through feed rub and process until mixture is pureed.
- Mix in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bow.
For the Lamb
- 4 lb leg of lamb, boned, rolled and tied
- 3 large garlic cloves, slivered
- 4 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Olive oil
Garnish: 3 large tomatoes and fresh basil leaves
- Preheat oven to 450F. Form slits in lamb with tip of sharp knife. Insert garlic slivers and some chopped basil into slit. Repeat all over lamb.
- Place lamb on rack in roasting pan. Brush generously with oil. Sprinkle with salt and generous amount of pepper.
- Roast 20 minutes. Reduce oven to 375F. Continue roasting until thermometer inserted into thickest part of lamb registers 130F. Baste occasionally with drippings, about 1 hour longer. Cool 1 hour.
- Slice tomatoes; place around edge of platter. Slide basil leaves between tomato slices. Slice lamb; arrange on platter. Drizzle pistou over lamb and tomatoes.