Lamb With Olive Herb Stuffing Recipes

VICTORIA'S LAMB WITH HERBS AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mortar with a pestle grind garlic, peppercorns, rosemary and salt with a pestle until a well blended poultice. Trim excess fat from lamb. Rub olive oil onto the leg of lamb. Scoop out the poultice from the mortar and pack it completely around the leg of lamb. Make sure the leg is "sealed" with the poultice to keep in the flavor. Place the lamb into a roasting pan and pour in 1 or 2 cans (depending on size of roasting pan) ripe pitted olives in their juice. The lamb should be swimming in about 1-inch of juice.
• Put roasting pan in the oven and roast for 45 to 1 hour, depending on size and density of lamb. The lamb must not be over-cooked. Serve it pink.
• For the Stuffed Grape Leaves: Add to the cooked and cooled white rice the parsley, white onions, lemon juice and olive oil and then blend. After blending these ingredients estimate adding a large tablespoon for each leaf.
• Lay the de-stemmed and rinsed grape leaf shiny side down, place portion of rice mixture in the center near the stem end and roll keeping stuffing close to end of leaf. Start folding in the sides and continue to roll keeping ends closed and stuffing secure inside.
• Lay "stem" down (the end of the roll) in a flat pan and continue doing so until each one is side by side close together, keeping them from opening when cooking. You can often place at least 2 layers if making large amounts, but more layering is not recommended. Pour over leaves enough water to reach top layer only and bring to a boil and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Add more water only, if necessary, so as not to burn the leaves. Water should all be evaporated in this period of time if not, drain remaining water.
• Remove from burner and let cool for about 1/2 hour.
• Then transfer in single layers into flat pans and pour over a mixture of lemon and olive oil and place in refrigerator cool and marinate overnight or at least several hours before serving. Can be stored for at least 2 to 3 days in refrigerator.

HERB STUFFED LEG OF LAMB WITH PIMENTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Ask a butcher to remove all bones, except shank, and to clean meat of all sinew and excess fat inside and out. Butterfly leg for stuffing.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lay lamb flat on counter. Using a sharp knife, make several slits, about 2 inches long by 1/4 inch deep, so seasonings can penetrate meat. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Puree whole garlic cloves with a little olive oil in a food processor. Add canned chipotles and blend into a paste. Spread the paste on the lamb and cover with the oregano. Roll meat to enclose stuffing and tie with string at 1inch intervals, keeping the diameter of the roll the same so that the roast cooks evenly. Shank bone will protrude at one end. Generously season outside with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Brown lamb on all sides. Roast on rack in roasting pan 30 to 40 minutes for medium rare, 1 hour for well done. (A meat thermometer inserted to the center should read 160 to 165 degrees or a thin blade knife inserted to the center for 20 seconds should feel lukewarm on your lips.) Let sit at room temperature about 10 minutes before carving, so juices can run to center. Remove strings and slice meat thinly across the roll. Top with Pimento Sauce.
• By removing the center bone, leg of lamb is much easier to carve and serve to guests.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Cook shallots and mushrooms until golden. Add wine, turn heat to high, and reduce by half. Add stock and reduce again by a quarter. Whisk in tomato paste, pimento puree and garlic. Break butter into small pieces and whisk into sauce until smooth. Adjust seasonings and strain through a fine sieve.

LAMB WITH OLIVE & HERB STUFFING

Steps:

• To make the stuffing, heat 1 tbsp oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat and cook the shallot for 5 mins until soft. Tip the oil from the anchovies into the pan. Roughly chop the anchovies and add these along with the garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the garlic has softened and the anchovies have started to break down. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes.
• Combine the olives, capers, lemon zest and juice, the breadcrumbs, herbs, apricots and pistachios in a bowl, then tip in the shallot mixture and stir to combine. Season. Bring together with your hands - if it's too dry, add the rest of the oil. It will be slightly loose, but should stick together when squeezed.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Season the lamb all over and cover the exposed bones with foil to prevent them burning. Pack the centre of the crown with the stuffing, then cover with a disc of foil. If you can't fit all the stuffing into the crown, spoon the rest into an ovenproof dish and bake alongside the lamb. Roast for 40 mins for rare, or until the internal temperature reaches 55C on a meat thermometer. (Or, roast for 50 mins for medium or 55 mins for well done.)