Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Emeril's Rosemary and Garlic Roast Leg of Lamb

This was the lamb recipe I used for Easter dinner this year, and we will definitely use it again next year. It was so good we decided to make lamb at Easter our new tradition!
The only thing I changed about Emeril's recipe (at foodtv.com) is that I added about a pound or so of diced fresh mushrooms to the sauce. I felt it needed something, and I think it made a GREAT addition! Everyone loved it!

Emeril's Rosemary and Garlic Roast Leg of Lamb

Ingredients:

1 leg of lamb, bone in (about 6 to 7 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
8 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

Sauce:

1 cup chopped fresh herbs (combination of rosemary, chives, and parsley)
2 cups diced onions
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup red wine
12-16 oz fresh mushrooms, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Using your hands, rub the lamb all over with the lemon juice. Pat the garlic and rosemary evenly all over the surface of the meat. Season the meat with the salt and pepper and place the lamb in a roasting pan. Place the lamb in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to cook for about 1 hour longer for medium-rare, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the roast registers about 145 degrees F to 150 degrees F (be careful that the thermometer does not touch the bone.) Remove lamb from pan and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.
3. Position the roasting pan over your stove burners. Add mixed herbs and onions to pan, and stir to combine with pan drippings. Add chicken stock and wine to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to release any fond. Reduce over high heat until sauce consistency. Strain before serving, if desired. Slice lamb and serve with sauce drizzled over the top.

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits


So I don't have my camera today (Chris took it with him to meet Bob Lewis in Little Rock), so I can't take a picture for you yet...but these were soooo good! Reminded me of the cinnamon raisin biscuits we used to get at Roy Rogers all the time as a kid! :-)

The original recipe came out of the Southern Living 2007 Annual Cookbook. (I feel I simplified it a bit b/c the directions were a bit confusing!)

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cold butter
2 1/4 cups self rising flour
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Cut butter with a sharp knife or pastry blender into 1/4-inch thick slices. Combine flour, raisins, and cinnamon. Sprinkle butter slices over flour mixture in a large bowl. Toss butter with flour. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. Cover and chill 10 minutes. Add buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until ingredients form a dough (adding extra flour as needed).
3. Press or pat dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 2-inch round cutter, and place, side by side on a stone baking sheet.
4. Bake at 450 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Whisk together milk and powdered sugar into an icing. Drizzle over warm biscuits.