Name: Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic-Herb Crust
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients: 1 whole leg of lamb, semiboneless (6 to 8 pounds); 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; Salt and pepper; 6 slices hearty white sandwich bread; 5 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves; 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Why This Recipe Works

An ideal roast leg of lamb should be tender and succulent, with a crust to complement the meat’s delicate flavor. But many roast leg of lamb recipes result in brown, rubbery meat. We wanted a Roast Leg of Lamb with Garlic-Herb Crust recipe that was worthy of the holiday table. In lieu of pan-searing the lamb on the stove before roasting, we crisped the skin in the oven on high heat. Adding a bread crumb mixture and continuing to roast the lamb on lower heat gave us meat that was flavorful and juicy.

Before You Begin

A semiboneless leg of lamb has had the hipbone removed to facilitate carving. This recipe makes enough bread crumbs to use for the Lemon Asparagus Casserole.

Instructions

For the lamb: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Using paring knife, cut 1-inch-deep slits all over lamb and poke garlic slivers and rosemary leaves inside slits. Rub lamb with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place leg meaty side down on wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet. Roast lamb for 15 minutes, flip, and roast 15 minutes longer.

For the crust: Meanwhile, pulse bread, garlic, oil, and parsley in food processor until coarsely ground. Reserve 2 cups crumb mixture for Lemon Asparagus Casserole. Stir rosemary into remaining crumbs.

Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees. Remove lamb from oven and brush meaty side with mustard. Press bread crumb mixture into mustard and continue roasting until temperature registers 130 to 135 degrees for medium, 30 to 45 minutes. Transfer lamb to cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 15 to 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

Make Ahead: Make slits in lamb, fill with garlic slivers and rosemary, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The garlic-herb crust may be prepared as directed in step 2 and refrigerated for up to 1 day.