LEG OF LAMB WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY

Ingredients

• 1 (7-pound) semi-boneless leg of lamb, aitchbone removed, fat trimmed to ¼ inch thick, and lamb tied
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup dry red wine or broth

Step 1

Pat lamb dry and score fat by making shallow cuts all over with tip of a sharp small knife.

Step 2

Pound garlic to a paste with sea salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a heavy knife) and stir together with rosemary and pepper. Put lamb in a lightly oiled roasting pan, then rub paste all over lamb. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 4

Roast lamb in middle of oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches into thickest part of meat (do not touch bone) registers 130°F, 1½ to 1¾ hours. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand 15 to 25 minutes (internal temperature will rise to about 140°F for medium-rare).

Step 6

Add wine to pan and deglaze by boiling over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Season pan juices with salt and pepper and serve with lamb.

Serves 8