Marinated Leg Of Lamb With Gold Potatoes

This is a good recipe for those who love lamb. This one is marinated overnight so be sure to get started the day before you wish to feast. The Yukon gold potatoes are a perfect match. Then, of course, of a perfect Merlot.

• 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 4 tsp. kosher salt, plus a little more for sprinkling
• 1/4 cup  fresh rosemary, plus 2 tbsp. finely chopped
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. lime juice, fresh
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 – 8 lb. bone in, leg of lamb, large pockets of fat trimmed off
• 8 x 7 oz. (approx.) yukon gold potatoes, halved lengthwise

Pound the garlic and 4 tsp. kosher salt with a mortar and pestle until a paste forms. Add 1/4 cup rosemary leaves and peel from one lime. Pound well for about a minute. Stir in one cup olive oil, lime juice and pepper into the paste.

Plac e lamb, fat side up, on work surface, Cut shallow slits into the fat about 1/2 inch apart. Spread 5 tbsp. of the paste into the slits. Turn the leg over and repeat the process. Wrap the leg in plastic and place in a roasting pan. Chill overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Remove the wrap from the lamb leg and brush the leg with oil.  Roast for 15 minutes.

Place the potatoes in a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the oil and 2 tbsp. of the chopped rosemary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.

Reduce the oven to 350 and arrange the potatoes, cut side down around the lamb. Roast 40 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully turn the potatoes over and b rush with the pan drippings. Roast a further 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.

Transfer the potatoes to a platter and continue to roast the lamb until an instant-read thermometer reads 130 – 133 degrees when inserted  into the thickest part of the leg. Let rest for 20 minutes. While the meat is resting, return the potatoes to the pan and warm in the oven for 10 minutes to heat through.

Arrange the potatoes and lamb on a plattter and show off to all those sitting around the table. This makes 8 servings, so invite your friends to help you share n this.

Your only question should be “more wine???”