Leg of Lamb with Pistachio Couscous

In this recipe, the garlic studded lamb gets a sweet rosemary basting sauce during roasting. The fruit and nut side dish makes it a complete meal.


Leg of Lamb with Pistachio Couscous

by 2  people


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Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
Related Categories: Lamb, Leg of Lamb
 
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Ingredients
  • 1  (6 to 8 lbs.)
    leg of lamb, aitchbone removed by butcher, trimmed
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  • 5  tablespoons
    extra-virgin olive oil
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  • garlic cloves (7 cloves sliced and 2 finely chopped)
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  • 1/4  cup
    honey
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  • 1/4  cup
    fresh lemon juice
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  • 1  tablespoon
    finely chopped fresh rosemary
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  • 2  cups
    couscous
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  • 1/2  cup
    coarsely chopped, toasted pistachios
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  • 1/2  cup
    coarsely chopped dried apricots
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  • 1/2  cup
    currants
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  • 1/2  cup
    chopped scallion
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  • 2  teaspoons
    finely grated fresh lemon zest
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Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Rinse and pat lamb dry. Season with salt and pepper; let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
2.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy roasting pan placed over 2 burners over moderately high heat. Brown lamb on both sides, about 7 minutes. Turn lamb fat side up and cut 1-inch slits in top about 1-1/2 inches apart. Push garlic slices into slits. Combine honey, juice, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl; reserve for basting. Roast lamb in middle of oven, basting halfway through with honey mixture (adding water, as needed, to bottom of pan if dry), until an instant-read thermometer inserted by 2 inches into thickest part of lamb (not touching bone) registers 125 degree F for medium, 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Transfer lamb in pan to rack; let stand 15 minutes before carving into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
3.
Meanwhile, bring 2-1/2 cups water to boil with chopped garlic and stir in couscous. Immediately cover and remove pan from heat. Let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the pistachios, apricots, currants, scallion, and zest; salt and pepper to taste. Stir with a fork to combine, breaking up any clumps of couscous.
4.
Serve lamb with couscous and spoon any pan juices over meat. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Nutrition information
Calories 840, Total Fat 44 g, Saturated Fat 15.5 g, Cholesterol 191 mg, Sodium 143 mg, Carbohydrate 50 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 60 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 0%, Iron 0%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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