Monday’s with Mami – Pierna de Cordero Asada, Roasted Leg of Lamb

This was a delightful roasted leg of lamb that my family and I enjoyed yesterday for Resurrection Sunday.  The flavor of lamb is so tender and succulent that there really isn’t a whole lot of preparation or added ingredients needed.  I enjoy lamb and like to keep it’s true flavor.  I do recommend to order your lamb from a local family farmer in order to ensure that it’s been weaned and taken good care of to harvest. Here in Iowa I order my lamb by the half from Cory’s Lamb who do sell at the Downtown Farmers Market.

For this recipe my mami and I utilized the Spanish flavors of jamon serrano.  We larded the roast to keep it moist and tender throughout the roasting process and topped it with jamon to lock those flavors in and create a nice crunchy salty garnish.  For the creme de la creme, we utilized the pan drippings to pour over the sliced pieces as a sauce.  Simply Divine!

Pierna de Cordero Asada, Roasted Leg of Lamb
-Adapted from 1080 Recipes

Ingredients:

• 4-5lb bone in leg of lamb
• 4-5 cloves of garlic pressed or minced
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup farm fresh pork lard
• 10 slices jamon serrano (prosciutto or bacon will be fine)
• salt

Method:

1. Rub the lamb with the garlic and pork lard on both sides. sprinkle with salt.
2. Top with the jamon serrano or other cured ham.
3. Let rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour
4. Preheat the oven to 450F.  Put the lamb into a roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes.
5. Lower the oven temperature to 350F and roast for 15-20 minutes per pound basting occasionally.
6. When the meat is done, let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving.  This will ensure that the juices stay within the meat.
7. With the reserved drippings and juice in the roasting pan, add 1 cup water and heat on the stovetop until all the bits and pieces have been incorporated into the sauce.
8. Serve with the roasted leg of lamb.

Buen Provecho!