Leg of Lamb with Moroccan Seasonings Recipe

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8 votes | 10312 views

This was a wonderful leg of lamb that I cooked for a Holiday gathering this year. I took a base recipe for Moroccan Roast Lamb from one of my favorite cookbooks - Recipes from Morocco by Sufo. I then added roast potatoes and created a gravy from the drippings. It couldn't have come out much better. Everyone raved about it. I used boneless leg of lamb, because they have it at costco. The original recipe calls for a forequarter, which is probably even better. I cooked 10 pounds of lamb (two 5 pound roasts) which is enough for a large party. Cut in half for a family dinner. Enjoy!

Prep time:
Cook time:
Servings: 12-16
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Ingredients

Cost per serving $0.54 view details

Directions

  1. With a sharp knife, cut criss cross sections in the roasts. Mix the butter, garlic, cumin, paprika, pepper and salt into a paste and rub it all over the two roasts, rubbing it into the cuts. Leave covered with a cloth for 2-3 hours to let the meat absorb the flavors, or refrigerate up to 1 day.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 F.
  3. Place the lamb fat side down onto a baking sheet big enough to contain both roasts and the onions and potatoes around them. Put the onion quarters around the roast.
  4. Roast in the hot oven for 5 minutes, then reduce head to 325 F and cook for 2 1/2 hours or so, basting periodically with the melted butter if you like.
  5. After about 1 hour, put the quartered potatoes around the roasts. Put any potatoes that won't fit in a roasting or baking dish next to the roasts.
  6. Check the lamb with a meat thermometer and remove at about 150 F for medium rare and 160 F for medium (I removed at 155 F). Remove to a cutting board and cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes while you make the gravy.
  7. Remove potatoes and some of the onions from the pan, reserving the butter and drippings. Pour off any excess fat that you don't want in the gravy. Place the roasting pan on your stove and turn the burner(s) to medium high.. Add a cup of beef stock and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of red wine to the pan. Using a wooden spoon or spatula (or firm plastic if you don't have wood), gradually scrape the lamb drippings and onions from the bottom of the roasting pan into the gravy. Mix about 2 Tbsp of flour with 4 Tbsp of cold water in a jar or cup and shake vigorously to mix. Stir further if flour is not completely dissolved. Pour flour mixture into the roasting pan and gradually stir into the gravy. If the gravy is not thick enough, add some additional flour and water mixture to the pan.
  8. The gravy should be plenty salty and spicy from the drippings, but add salt or black pepper to taste if needed.
  9. Slice the lamb and put it in a serving platter, pouring any juices from the lamb over the slices on the platter. Put the gravy and potatoes in serving bowls and enjoy the feast!

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Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving %DV
Serving Size 169g
Recipe makes 12 servings
Calories 177  
Calories from Fat 70 40%
Total Fat 7.96g 10%
Saturated Fat 4.92g 20%
Trans Fat 0.0g  
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 1291mg 54%
Potassium 525mg 15%
Total Carbs 22.79g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g 10%
Sugars 1.68g 1%
Protein 2.93g 5%
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Reviews

  • Kol from Altai and U.S.
    John, that one looks really good. Reminds me somewhat of a delicious lamb stew (I think probably very much the same spices) we've eatem several times at a small roadside Middle Eastern cafe in a little city called Biysk in Russia's Altai Region (southwestern Siberia) when we're traveling to Russia's Gorni Altai or "Golden Mountains." It's a fabulous part of the country! Near the center of Asia. I'd love to ask them for their lamb stew recipe (if they'd give it to me) some day when we go there again -- it's become sort of a "regular" stop for us that we look forwarded to on each road trip in that direction. Actually, I think it's an Azerbaijani cafe, but the recipes are very similar throughout much of that part of the world from country to country. And lamb is eaten very widely in the Muslim countries.. I think a good Merlot would also make a nice accompaniment to this one. (Or even my favorite Russian honey lager beer, but afraid you're not going to find that one here in the U.S. ;- ... ...)
    1 reply
    • John Spottiswood
      December 26, 2010
      Thanks for the detailed review, Kol. I love Azerbaijani cuisine too. Hope you'll find the lamb stew recipe and post it!
    • Nancy Miyasaki
      This was one of the best leg of lamb dishes I've eaten. Our friends all loved it. If you're looking for something that is traditional but with a very flavorful flair to it, this is the dish!
      I've cooked/tasted this recipe!
      • Mary Shaldibina
        We made this yesterday. It was almost as good as yours! :)
        I've cooked/tasted this recipe!
        • gs
          i tried it with 2 steaks of lamb
          i also added a bit celery powder and 1/2 tsp parsley
          and a bit of curry and turmeric and it came out
          delicious thank you so much
          I've cooked/tasted this recipe!

          Comments

          • Libby
            December 29, 2010
            Thanks for the recipe, John. I'm going to go out on a limb and do this with a lovely venison leg. I think it should work great, with a little tweaking.Red wine always brings such a nice depth to venison,and perhaps a little rosemary to bring the flavors together.I've done similar roasts in a large clay pot[turkey size], and it creates a wonderful juice for the gravy that way,too, allowing for the lack of fat on the venison to not deter from tenderness.
            • Claudia lamascolo
              December 26, 2010
              This sounds amazing, lamb is our favorite and always served on Christmas day, this is a must try for me love the flavors here! thanks and merry christmas!
              1 reply
              • John Spottiswood
                December 27, 2010
                Merry Xmas Claudia. Thanks for the nice comment and for all the great recipes you share!
              • Bill Farley
                December 25, 2010
                Great looking recipe, John. Will try it after the New Year and let you know what I think. I also have a wonderful leg of lamb recipe from a Greek cookbook that I feel is worth putting on your website, so will send it after the New Year for your perusal. A merry Christmas to you all from Canada.
                1 reply
                • John Spottiswood
                  December 26, 2010
                  Hope you enjoy it Bill. If you do try it, let me know how it is!

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