Roast Leg of Lamb with Anchovy, Garlic, and Rosemary

Recipe by: Simon Hopkinson | from Roast Chicken and Other Stories

Cookstr

Course: Main Course

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Moderate

roast-leg-of-lamb-with-anchovy-garlic-and-rosemary

Photo by: Joseph DeLeo

Lamb and anchovy, odd though it may seem, were made for each other. I think I am right in saying that this roast lamb is a continental classic—I have certainly seen it in both France and Italy.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

4-lb leg of lamb
Two 2-oz cans anchovies
A small bunch of rosemary
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced lengthways into 3 pieces
6 tbsp butter, softened
Black pepper
½ 750 ml-bottle white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
A bunch of watercress, to garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. With a small sharp knife, make about 12 incisions 2 inches deep in the fleshy side of the leg. Insert a piece of garlic, half an anchovy, and a small sprig of rosemary into each incision. Push all of them right in with your little finger.

Cream the butter with any remaining anchovies and smear it all over the surface of the meat. Grind over plenty of black pepper. Place the lamb in a roasting pan and pour the wine around. Tuck in any leftover sprigs of rosemary and pour over the lemon juice. Put in the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Turn the oven temperature down to 350°F and roast the lamb for a further hour, or slightly more, depending on how well-done you like your meat. Baste from time to time with the winy juices. Take the meat out of the oven and leave to rest in a warm place for at least 15 minutes before carving.

Meanwhile, taste the juices and see if any salt is necessary—it shouldn’t be because of the anchovies. During the roasting process the wine should have reduced somewhat, and mingled with the meat juices and anchovy butter to make a delicious gravy. If you find it too thin, then a quick bubble on the burner should improve the consistency.

When it comes to good food smells, this is one of the best, because as you slice the lamb the waft of garlic, rosemary, and anchovy hits you head on. Once again, mashed potatoes are good with this.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 1519kcal (76%)

Calcium 120mg (12%)

Vitamin C 7mg (11%)

Vitamin A 150mcg RAE (5%)

Potassium 1274mg

Magnesium 127mg

Protein 84g

Sugar 1g

Fiber 0g

Total Carbohydrate 5g