Herbed roast leg of lamb

Ingredients

Quantity		Ingredient
2½	pounds	Plum tomatoes; sliced thick (about
		; 15)
10	ounces	Mushrooms; quartered
1		Red bell pepper; chopped
1		Yellow onion; halved, with the
		; skin left on
2		Shallots with the skin intact
2		Heads garlic; the outer skin
		; removed, leaving
		; the cloves attached
		; at the root end
¼	pounds	Red pearl onions; (available at
		; specialty produce
		; markets) or white
		; pearl onions,
		; blanched in boiling
		; water for 3
		; minutes, drained,
		; and peeled
2		Fresh rosemary sprigs
2		Fresh oregano sprigs
2		Fresh thyme sprigs
6	tablespoons	Olive oil
		A; (6-pound) leg of
		; lamb, trimmed of
		; excess fat
		Mixed baby vegetables as an accompaniment
		Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
¼	pounds	Baby zucchini and/or baby yellow squash*
¼	pounds	Baby yellow and/or green pattypan squash*
6	ounces	Baby carrots; trimmed and peeled
¼	pounds	Haricots verts*; (thin green beans),
		; trimmed
1	small	Potato; (about 1/4 pound)
1	tablespoon	Olive oil
		The pearl onions reserved from the herbed
		; roast leg of lamb
1	tablespoon	Minced fresh dill and/or mint leaves; or to taste

Directions

FOR THE MIXED BABY VEGETABLE

*available at specialty produce markets To make the lamb:

In a large roasting pan stir together the tomatoes, the mushrooms, the bell pepper, the yellow onion, the shallots, the garlic, the pearl onions, the rosemary, oregano, and thyme sprig, ¼ cup of the oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the lamb, patted dry, on top of the vegetable mixture, drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and season it with salt and pepper. Roast the lamb and the vegetables in the middle of a preheated 450F. oven for 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350F., and roast the lamb and stirring the vegetables every 20 minutes, for 1 hour and 20 minutes more, or until the lamb registers 145F. on a meat thermometer for medium-rare meat.

Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and let it stand, covered loosely with foil, for 15 minutes. Reserve the pearl onions for the mixed baby vegetables. Transfer the lamb to a platter, spoon the baby vegetables around it, and garnish the lamb with the mint sprigs. If planning to make the stuffed cabbage reserve 1 pound of the lamb.

To make the mixed vegetables:

In a kettle of boiling salted water cook separately the zucchini, the pattypan squash, the carrots, and the haricots verts until each vegetable is crisp-tender and cook the potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice, until it is cooked through, transferring the vegetables as they are cooked with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop the cooking.

Drain the vegetables and pat them dry. The vegetables may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.

In a large skillet heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it saute the zucchini, the pattypan squash, the carrots, the haricots verts, and the onions for 3 minutes, or until they are heated through. Stir in the potato, the herbs, and salt and pepper to taste and saute the mixture for 1 minute. Serves 4.

Serves 6 to 8.

Gourmet March 1993

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