Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Pecorino and Herbs
Photography Damien Van Der Vlist.
Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS
2 kilogram butterflied leg of lamb
Stuffing
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon each oregano and mint, chopped
70 grams pecorino cheese, crumbled
fine zest 1 lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil
Minted Labneh
1 cup labneh
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped mint
3 tablespoons olive oil
pinch paprika
To cook
2 lemons olive oil sea salt and freshly ground pepper
METHOD
Stuffing: Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mash with a fork. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Preheat a barbecue or large ridged grill plate.
Lamb: Make slits all over the lamb with the point of a small sharp knife. Pack the stuffing into the slits, pushing it well in so it doesn’t catch and burn while cooking. Rub both sides of the lamb with the juice from 1 lemon then olive oil. Season well.
Place skin side down on the barbecue and cook for about 10-15 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely and rest for 10 minutes.
Labneh: Stir the lemon juice, garlic, mint and olive oil into the labneh. Tip into a serving bowl, drizzle over a little more oil and sprinkle with paprika.
To serve: Slice the lamb thinly across the grain and arrange on a platter. Drizzle over any lamb juices. Serve with the labneh and lemon wedges.
Labneh: Yoghurt that has been drained to remove the whey becomes a spreadable ‘cheese’. It can also be rolled into balls and marinated in olive oil.
Menu: Serve with the Grilled Octopus and Greek Salad with Pide, a side of Green Beans with Olives, Preserved Lemon and Mint and the Baklava Tarts with Grilled Plums to finish.
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
Related Content
latest issue:
Issue 128
This winter issue of dish is about comfort and connection. Celebrating the best of New Zealand and Australian produce, it brings together recipes from some of our most-loved chefs, including Moroccan Chicken Soup, Mint-glazed Roasted Leg of Lamb, Slow Cooker Braised Red Wine and Miso White Chocolate Cheesecake. Find plenty to carry you through the colder months, from flaky sausage rolls and mushroom pie, to soul-soothing pasta, nostalgic baking, weekend market inspiration and dinner party menus. There’s a spotlight on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, recipes from Caroline Griffiths’ Midnight Spaghetti, and a deep dive into the difference between Kiwi syrah and Aussie shiraz.