Wood Fired Leg Of Lamb Recipes

Steps:

• Heat your wood-fired oven 2 hours before cooking. You want it to be a medium-high heat, about 400 degrees F.
• Add the olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice and zest in a mortar and pestle and smash until it reaches a paste. Place the lamb on a sheet tray and rub the paste all over the lamb, getting into every inch of space. If time allows, you can marinate the lamb for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Place the lamb on a sheet tray or roasting pan outfitted with a wire rack. Put in the oven and roast until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Allow the lamb to rest for 20 minutes for the juices to redistribute before carving. Carve against the grain, using the bone as a handle. Place the slices on a platter and garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon zest. Serve with a simple arugula salad.

Steps:

• Prepare a very hot fire (500°F) in a fireplace or a medium-hot fire (425°F) in a wood-fired oven.
• Lay the lamb flat on the work surface with the exterior of the leg on the work surface. With the point of a knife, make several incisions in the lamb and insert a slice of garlic into each incision. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, stir together the parsley, chives, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Spread the herb mixture evenly over the exposed side of the lamb. Roll and wrap the lamb around the spit and secure with kitchen twine or small metal turkey skewers. Brush the outside of the lamb with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Place the spit 6 to 8 inches from the fire and spit-roast the lamb, using an electric or battery-powered unit to rotate the spit consistently, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb registers 135°F for medium-rare, about 1 hour. Alternatively, put the lamb in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb registers 135°F. Let the meat stand for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with Tzatziki.
• Combine the yogurt and salt in a bowl and stir to blend. Turn into a cheesecloth-lined sieve placed over a bowl and let drain for several hours to remove excess moisture in the yogurt.
• Meanwhile, shred the cucumber to make 1 cup. Spread the shredded cucumber on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let drain for 30 minutes. Using paper towels, squeeze out the excess moisture.
• Combine the yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, mint, dill, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix well. Add the lemon juice to taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Use now, or within 1 day.