Garlic Roasted Leg Of Lamb With Lemon Oregano Potatoes

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 lbs leg of lamb, fresh (buy a short cut if you can, it fits perfectly in a large, covered roaster)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• ground black pepper
• 8 large garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 8 medium potatoes

Recipe

• 1 if the lamb is frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• 2 bring the meat to room temperature before roasting.
• 3 if the lamb is fatty, trim the thick fat but leave a thin layer.
• 4 rub 1 tablespoon of oil over the entire surface of the lamb, then sprinkle the whole surface with 2 teaspoons oregano and a generous grinding of pepper.
• 5 slice 4 garlic cloves into 16 slivers.
• 6 using the tip of a small knife, make 16 1/2"-deep slits in the lamb and insert the slivers of garlic into the slits.
• 7 preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.
• 8 in a small measuring cup, whisk together the remaining tablespoon oil, remaining 2 teaspoons oregano, remaining 4 garlic cloves (finely minced), 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, water and lemon juice.
• 9 peel the potatoes and cut into 1" cubes (no larger or they won't cook thoroughly.).
• 10 while you are working, put the cubed potatoes immediately into cold water to prevent them from turning brown.
• 11 drain the potatoes and place in a large covered roasting pan.
• 12 toss with the lemon juice mixture.
• 13 lightly sprinkle the entire surface of the lamb with salt, then set the lamb on the potatoes, rounded side down.
• 14 roast the lamb uncovered for 30 minutes.
• 15 then turn it over, cover, and continue to roast for another 1 to 1-1/2 hours. i like my lamb well done so i go for the longer time.
• 16 stir the potatoes occasionally and if they stick to the pan, add a couple of tablespoons of water to loosen them.
• 17 remove the lamb to a cutting board and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.
• 18 keep the potatoes warm in the oven until ready to serve.