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Food & Wine Recipe

Moroccan Spice-Rubbed Leg of Lamb

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 8-10

This spice-crusted roast can be served with any or all of the following intensely flavored Middle Eastern-style dipping sauces, including Yogurt-Cucumber Sauce, Fre...

  1. Zest from 2 lemons, finely julienned
  2. 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  3. 1/4 cup honey
  4. 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, coarsely cracked
  5. 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  6. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  7. 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  8. 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  9. 1 teaspoon turmeric
  10. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  11. 7 1/2 -pound boneless leg of lamb, rolled and tied
  12. 1 whole unpeeled head of garlic, halved horizontally
  13. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  14. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a small saucepan of boiling water, blanch the lemon zest until softened and pale, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a small bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and honey.
  2. In a small skillet, combine the coriander, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, and cayenne. Toast the spices over high heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Light a charcoal grill or heat a grill pan. Rub the lamb all over with the cut sides of the garlic. Coat well with the toasted spices. Season with salt and pepper and brush with the oil. Grill the lamb over moderate heat until well browned all over, about 5 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer the leg of lamb to a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 1 1/4 hours. Brush the lamb liberally with the honey-lemon sauce and roast for about 15 minutes longer, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the leg registers 140° for medium-rare meat.
  5. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Pour the pan juices into a sauceboat and serve alongside the lamb.

Suggested Pairing

A dry California rosé is the ultimate warm-weather wine. Look for one with a beautiful deep pink color and lots of fresh fruit flavors, but that is dry, not sweet.