• Make-Ahead
• Staff Favorite

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2. 2 3/4 teaspoons ground cumin
3. 2 3/4 teaspoons sweet paprika
4. 2 3/4 teaspoons ground ginger
5. 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
6. Freshly ground black pepper
7. Salt
8. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9. One 5-pound butterflied leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat
10. 8 garlic cloves—4 thinly sliced, 4 minced
11. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
12. 1/4 cup tomato paste
13. 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
14. 2 tablespoons honey
15. 1/4 teaspoon saffron, crumbled into 1 tablespoon of water
16. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
17. 8 large pitted Medjool dates, minced (3 ounces)
18. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
19. 20 large pitted green olives, finely chopped
20. 1/4 cup finely chopped mint
21. 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the coriander with the cumin, paprika, ginger, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Set aside 3 tablespoons of the spice mixture for the date barbecue sauce. Stir 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 cup of the olive oil into the remaining spice mixture.
2. Using a small, sharp knife, make 1/2-inch-deep slits all over the lamb. Press the garlic slices into the slits. Coat the lamb with the spiced oil, making sure to rub it in the slits. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the onion and minced garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the reserved 3 tablespoons of the spice mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 4 minutes.
4. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the beef broth, honey, saffron water and cayenne pepper and simmer over high heat until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Add the minced dates and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until they break down and the sauce is thick and glossy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Reserve 1/2 cup of the date barbecue sauce for glazing the lamb.
5. Light a grill. Lightly season the lamb with salt and black pepper. Grill over moderate heat, turning once, until the lamb is nicely charred all over and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the leg registers 130°, about 15 minutes per side. During the last 3 minutes of grilling, brush the reserved 1/2 cup of date barbecue sauce all over the lamb. Transfer the grilled lamb to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.
6. In a small bowl, toss the olives with the mint and cilantro. Slice the lamb across the grain and serve with the date barbecue sauce and olive relish.

Make Ahead

The date barbecue sauce can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days.