Recipe

Caramelized Spicy Leg of Lamb with Mint Yogurt

Community Pick!

Recipe
No Questions Yet

Caramelized Spicy Leg of Lamb with Mint Yogurt

Photo 1 of 2
by cheese1227

Photo 2 of 2
by ChezSuzanne

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Spring Lamb
A&M's Testing Notes: This recipe yields a dish that takes center stage on the table, for a number of reasons. The first reason is that its presentation is easy on the eyes: the caramelized lamb slices sit in the...
This recipe yields a dish that takes center stage on the table, for a number of reasons. The first reason is that its presentation is easy on the eyes: the caramelized lamb slices sit in the soft glow of the paprika, cumin, coriander and cayenne rub in which they marinated and the orange juice in which they were braised. The reason this steals the show lies in its heat: two teaspoons of cayenne! While the yogurt dip does an admirable job of tempering the spice, you’re not going to want any competing strong flavors on the table with this one. A fruited couscous salad would be all that you need. Note: I made this with a boneless leg of lamb as I did not have a hacksaw handy to get through a bone-in one. - cheese1227

Expand Collapse
Chef
ChezSuzanne's Notes: I created this dish as a school project last year and have continued to tweak it. It's very easy to put together, perfect for entertaining and hits just the right balance between spicy and...
I created this dish as a school project last year and have continued to tweak it. It's very easy to put together, perfect for entertaining and hits just the right balance between spicy and orange caramelized flavors for a broad range of palates at the table. The meat has so much flavor that it does just fine standing alone without a sauce or pesto, but I serve this with mint yogurt on the side. When I first experimented with the mint yogurt, I was afraid the flavors would mute the spicy orange flavors. Instead, it's the perfect flavor complement to round out the dish when used for dipping lamb morsels. (I should note that the picture represents all that was left over the next day after a party where I served this dish. I had to make new mint yogurt for the picture as all that was gone.)

Expand Collapse

Serves 6 with some leftovers

Lamb Spice Marinade and Caramelizing:

Part 1 Ask a question about this ingredient

Lamb Spice Marinade Ask a question about this ingredient

10 peeled, and coarsely chopped garlic cloves Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons ground coriander Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons ground cumin Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons paprika Ask a question about this ingredient

2 tablespoons salt Ask a question about this ingredient

2 teaspoons ground black pepper Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Ask a question about this ingredient

zest from 1 large navel orange Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 cup olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient

5 pounds leg of lamb, sliced through the bone into large steaks Ask a question about this ingredient

Part 2 Ask a question about this ingredient

Caramelized Leg of Lamb Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2-1 cup orange juice Ask a question about this ingredient

In a large bowl to be used for marinating the leg of lamb steaks, combine all the ingredients for the marinade except the lamb. Mix well. Add the lamb steaks rubbing the marinade over all the surfaces of the lamb. Add additional oil only if necessary. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours, turning the lamb occasionally.
Ask a question about this step
One hour before cooking the lamb, remove the marinade from the refrigerator to allow the meat to come to room temperature.
Ask a question about this step
When ready to saute the steaks, add enough olive oil to a saute pan to cover the surface. Heat to medium-high heat , remove the lamb from the marinade (reserving the marinade), and sear the lamb until well browned on both sides. You will need to do this in shifts or use 2 separate saute pans to accomodate all the steaks. Don't crowd the steaks during the browning stage.
Ask a question about this step
Combine 1/2 cup of the orange juice with the reserved marinade. When the lamb is browned on both sides, reduce the heat and add the orange juice / marinade oil mixture and heat to a simmer. Continue to simmer, adding additional orange juice when caramelization starts, until the lamb reaches the doneness you want. Remove the meat and let it sit under foil for about 10 minutes before cutting. If necessary, continue to cook the sauce until it caramelizes. Remove from the heat to drizzle over the the lamb when it has been sliced.
Ask a question about this step
Cut the meat across the grain, drizzle with the caramelized orange spicy sauce in the pan (if desired), and serve with Mint Yogurt (recipe below) on the side.
Ask a question about this step