Butterflied Leg of Lamb Recipe

For an Easter recipe (opens in new tab) that's great every time, give this beautiful butterflied leg of lamb (opens in new tab) a go. It's juicy, succulent and will feed a whole crowd. Whether it's a classic Sunday lunch or special occasion, this lamb recipe (opens in new tab) is one to keep handy.

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB

Ingredients

• 1 leg of lamb, approx 2.25kg (5lb) weight, butterfly-boned

For the marinade

• 2tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 2tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• zest 2 lemons
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 130ml (4½fl oz) olive oil
• 3 fresh bay leaves

Method

1. Combine marinade ingredients, but don’t add any salt as it draws the juices out of the meat and will toughen it. Make slashes about 2.5cm (1in) deep through the fleshy side of the lamb, but don’t go right through the skin. Put the lamb skin-side down in a non-metallic dish, pour over the marinade and rub in well. Do this the day before to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. Cover and chill.
2. When you’re ready to cook the lamb, preheat oven to 200 C, 180 C fan oven, 400 F, gas 6. Also have a small barbecue fire ready – this is optional, but gives the lamb a better flavour and texture and is perfect to finish it off before serving.
3. Place lamb in a roasting tin and season both sides well. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes if you like your lamb blushing pink, or 1 hour if you prefer it more well done. Remove lamb from the oven and, if you’re not barbecuing it, allow to rest for 10 minutes. Otherwise, remove from the tin and place on the hot barbie and grill each side for about 10 minutes until nicely charred and crispy. Pour all juices from the tin into a small saucepan and skim off any fat. Keep hot while you slice the lamb and serve the sauce separately.