Tantalize your taste buds with the delectable Moroccan-spiced roasted leg of lamb, a culinary masterpiece that embodies the vibrant flavors and aromas of Moroccan cuisine. This succulent dish showcases a tender and juicy leg of lamb, meticulously marinated in a symphony of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, and ginger, imparting a tantalizing depth of flavor. Roasted to perfection, the lamb boasts a crispy, golden-brown exterior that yields to a succulent and fall-off-the-bone interior. Accompanying this delightful main course are three equally enticing recipes: a refreshing and vibrant Moroccan carrot salad, a creamy and flavorful yogurt sauce, and a fragrant and nutty pilaf rice. Together, these components create a harmonious and authentic Moroccan feast that will transport your palate to the bustling souks and vibrant streets of Morocco.
Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!
MOROCCAN MECHOUI (SLOW ROASTED LEG OF LAMB OR SHOULDER)
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Trim excess fat from leg of lamb or shoulder, and make a dozen or more deep cuts into meat with tip of a sharp knife.
- Combine butter with garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, saffron, turmeric, and olive oil. Spread mixture over entire leg or shoulder of lamb, working some butter into incisions made with knife.
- Place lamb in a roasting pan, and proceed with one of the roasting methods below. Very Slow-Roasting Method: 7 1/2 to 9 Hours This is the preferred Marrakesh method. You can reduce the cooking time to 4 to 5 hours by using a 350 F/180 C oven temperature.
- Preheat oven to 250 F.
- Place lamb in a roasting pan and cover with foil, sealing edges tightly. Roast lamb, basting hourly and resealing foil each time, for 7 to 8 hours, or until juices run clear and meat is tender enough to pinch off the bone.
- Small pieces of lamb, weighing less than 4 pounds might finish cooking in 6 hours. Larger pieces might take closer to 9 hours.
- Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 475 F. Brown lamb, basting frequently, for 15 to 30 minutes, or until meat is well-colored.
- Transfer lamb to a platter and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving. If desired, pour juices over and around lamb. Serve dishes of salt and cumin on the side for dipping. Traditional Roasting Method: 3 to 4 Hours When short on time, this method also works well, but the meat won't be quite as tender as the above method. The lamb will, however, have more of a crisp crust, which some Moroccans find desirable.
- Heat oven to 475 F. Add 1/2 cup of water to pan, and roast lamb, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325 F and continue roasting lamb, basting occasionally, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until meat is tender, juices run clear, and lamb has a dark, crisp crust.
- Transfer lamb to a platter and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving. If desired, juices can be poured over and around lamb. Serve dishes of salt and cumin on the side for dipping. Fast Roasting Method: 1 to 2 Hours
- Preheat oven to 475 F. Wrap exposed lower leg of the lamb in foil to prevent burning. Add 1/2 cup of water and a few tablespoons of olive oil to pan, and roast lamb, uncovered, for 1 to 2 hours, basting frequently, until lamb is well browned and juices run clear when a knife is inserted deep into meat.
- If meat has browned before juices are clear, cover meat with loose foil to prevent further darkening.
- Transfer lamb to a platter and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. If desired, juices can be poured over and around lamb. Serve dishes of salt and cumin on the side for dipping.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1069 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 372 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 97 g, SaturatedFat 31 g, Sodium 768 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 72 g, ServingSize 1 leg (4 to 6 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
LEG OF LAMB WITH MOROCCAN SPICES
There's nothing like the combination of cinnamon, cumin and coriander to give your kitchen an inviting aroma - and the finished lamb will have a beautifully dark and redolent exterior. Don't know how to carve a lamb? Mark Bittman shows you how in this video.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, roasts, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 425º. Remove as much of the surface fat as is practical from the lamb. Mix the spices with the salt and pepper; rub the meat all over with the spice mixture.
- Put the lamb on a rack in a roasting pan. (You might line the pan first with aluminum foil to make cleanup easier.) Roast for 30 minutes, then check. If the lamb threatens to burn, turn the heat down to 350º; otherwise leave it at 425º.
- After about 1 hour (total) of roasting, check the internal temperature of the lamb with an instant-read thermometer. Continue to check every 10 minutes; when it reaches 130 for medium rare (125 for very rare) in its thickest part (check it in several places), it's done. Total cooking time will be less than 1 1/2 hours. Let it rest for a few minutes before carving and serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 563, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 2 grams, Fat 39 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 49 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 443 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MOROCCAN-SPICED RACK OF LAMB
Similar to my rack of lamb recipe, but sufficiently different to have a separate entry! Delightful for a hint of Africa as a change to regular lamb racks.
Provided by Sonya Jane
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb
Time 1h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine mint, olive oil, parsley, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, pepper, paprika, coriander, salt, cayenne, and cloves in a small bowl until paste-like.
- Place rack into a large glass or ceramic dish; rub herb paste all over the meat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Remove rack from the refrigerator and place in a heavy, oven-proof skillet with the meat side facing up.
- Roast in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 125 degrees F (51 degrees C) for rare or 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium-rare, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
- To serve, carve by cutting down between the ribs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 412.5 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Fat 34.8 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 12.8 g, Sodium 368 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
MOROCCAN ROAST LAMB WITH ROASTED ROOTS & CORIANDER
Serve up this tasty Moroccan roast lamb dish for a low-calorie main that delivers stacks of flavour and three of your 5-a-day
Provided by Sophie Godwin - Cookery writer
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Take the lamb out of the fridge while you chop the onions, squash and celeriac. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Trim any excess fat off the leg of lamb, then cut a few slashes into the meat. Rub ½ tbsp oil and 1 tbsp ras el hanout over the lamb and season with salt and pepper. Put the onion, celeriac, butternut squash into a large roasting tin with the garlic. Toss with the remaining ras el hanout, remaining oil and some salt and pepper. Nestle the lamb into the tin and put in the oven to roast for 40 mins.
- Take the lamb out of the oven and leave to rest. Put the veg back in the oven for 20 mins. Meanwhile, blitz the coriander, cumin seeds, lemon zest, lemon juice and green chilli together in a mini food processor until finely chopped and vivid green.
- Carve the lamb, put on a platter, then pile on the veg. Sprinkle over some of the coriander mixture before taking the platter to the table for everyone to help themselves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 446 calories, Fat 20 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 18 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 45 grams protein
ALMOST-SPIT-ROASTED MOROCCAN LAMB
For special occasions in Morocco, a whole lamb is turned on a spit over coals for hours, until the exterior is browned and crisp, with tender juicy meat within. Paula Wolfert, the great American authority on Moroccan food, gives this slow-roasting method for achieving similar delicious results in a home oven. Ask your butcher for front quarter of lamb (also called a half bone-on chuck). It is comprised of the neck, shoulder, front shank, and some ribs, all in one piece. Alternatively, ask for 2 large bone-in shoulder roasts. The lamb emerges succulent and fragrant, thanks to careful basting with butter and spices. Serve it with warm chick peas, cumin-flavored salt and a dab of spicy harissa.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, project, main course
Time 5h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Trim lamb of extraneous fat, but leave a thin layer of fat covering the meat (or ask your butcher to do this). Use a sharp paring knife to cut slits all over the lamb. Lightly salt meat on both sides and place in a large roasting pan. Mix together butter, cumin, coriander, paprika, pimentón and garlic. Smear butter mixture over surface of meat. Allow meat to come to room temperature. Heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Roast lamb, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until it shows signs of beginning to brown. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Continue roasting for 3 to 4 hours, basting generously every 15 minutes or so with buttery pan juices, until meat is soft and tender enough to pull away easily from bones and skin is crisp. If surface seems to be browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil and reduce heat slightly. In this case, remove foil, baste lamb and allow skin to crisp before removing from oven.
- Transfer lamb to a large platter or cutting board and serve piping hot. Encourage guests to tear pieces of lamb with fingers; alternatively, carve meat from bones and chop into rough pieces. Serve with cumin-flavored salt, harissa and warm chickpeas if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 159, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 73 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 1 gram
MOROCCAN LEG OF LAMB WITH MINT DRESSING
When a large crowd is coming over, it's easy for panic to set in, as the Lee brothers discussed in the 2006 article accompanying this recipe. Their solution? Cooking a big cut of meat. For their first attempt, they looked to lamb, specifically this Moroccan lamb, coated with harissa, lemon zest and juice (which they used as a substitute for preserved lemons), and cured before roasting. The end result, served with a mint dressing, and perhaps a side of couscous or even mashed potatoes, is a satisfying show-stopper.
Provided by Matt Lee And Ted Lee
Categories dinner, roasts, main course
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Score meaty side of lamb in a diamond pattern of 1/4-inch-deep cuts about 1 1/2 inches apart. Season with salt and pepper, and place scored-side up in a large roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil with lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, harissa, coriander seeds and cumin. Pour marinade over lamb and massage into crevices. Cover pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate 2 1/2 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator 1 1/2 hours before cooking to return lamb to room temperature; in last 15 minutes, heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Remove foil from pan and place pan on middle oven rack; turn heat down to 350 degrees. Roast, basting lamb with pan juices every 1/2 hour, until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat reads 130 degrees, about 1 3/4 hours total. Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest 15 minutes before carving. Serve with harissa and mint dressing.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 810, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 2 grams, Fat 58 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 66 grams, SaturatedFat 23 grams, Sodium 391 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH MOROCCAN MARINADE
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, roasts, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Trim excess fat from leg of lamb. Make shallow incisions into the leg and insert a garlic sliver in each.
- Combine the spices with oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and fresh coriander to make a paste. Rub the paste over the lamb, place it in a roasting pan, cover and let stand 3 to 4 hours in a cool place or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven 350 degrees. Roast leg of lamb to the desired degree of doneness, basting once or twice during roasting. After about one hour and 10 minutes, internal temperature should be 120 to 125 degrees, medium rare. Allow to rest 10 minutes before carving. Juices can be used to make a gravy if desired. To do so pour fat from roasting pan, add the boiling water and, scraping the pan, cook over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes. Strain into a sauceboat.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 816, UnsaturatedFat 34 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 61 grams, SaturatedFat 22 grams, Sodium 189 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
MOROCCAN-STYLE BARBECUED LEG OF LAMB
Mary Cadogan demonstrates the technique of boning out a leg of lamb and how to cook it
Provided by Mary Cadogan
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mix the butter and oil in a bowl, then stir in the spices, thyme, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Add the harissa, 1 tsp salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and mix well.
- Put the butterflied lamb (see step-by-step guide) in a large shallow dish and spoon over the marinade. Using your hands, rub it all over the meat. Cover loosely with foil or cling film and leave to marinate for at least 2 hrs, or overnight in the fridge.
- Light the barbecue, adding plenty of coals. When it is ready, add the lamb, fat-side down, and cook on a fairly high heat for 5 mins until well browned. Turn over and cook for another 5 mins to brown the other side.
- Move the coals to the sides of the barbecue to reduce the heat under the meat and cook more gently for 30-40 mins, turning occasionally. This timing will give you pink meat.
- Remove the meat to a large board and cover tightly with foil. Leave to rest for 10-15 mins.
- For the sauce, fold the harissa, a little salt and the coriander into the yogurt. Cut the lamb into thick slices and serve with the sauce and couscous, if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 734 calories, Fat 45 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 1 grams carbohydrates, Protein 81 grams protein
MOROCCAN SPICED ROASTED LEG OF LAMB RECIPE - (4.2/5)
Provided by danand
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F. Mix all the spices, salt and pepper in a tray. Cut three holes in the lamb with a small pairing night. In each hole place a bunch of thyme and a cinnamon stick. Repeat this process until it is complete. Now generously rub the spice mixture over the leg of lamb. Place a roasting over a high heat and add the olive oil. Next add in the celery, onion and carrots. Drizzle the honey over the vegetables to help the caramelization process. Add the lamb on top of the vegetables and start searing the meat. Drizzle some olive oil over the lamb with salt and pepper. Place the lamb in the oven, and cook for around one hour, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 135°F. Once the lamb is cooked, take it out of the oven and allow the lamb to rest for 10-15 minutes. To make the vinaigrette, mix together the lime, olive oil and mustard. When you are ready, slice the lamb and serve immediately and drizzle the vinaigrette on top. Also reserve the lamb juice and the roasted vegetables and serve along side.
ROAST RACK OF LAMB WITH MOROCCAN SPICES
This fresh-flavoured roast is lightly spiced with a hint of citrus - an ideal dinner for two
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Main course, Supper
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to fan 200C/conventional 220C/gas 7. Mix 2 tbsp of the olive oil with the harissa, then add the cumin, turmeric, paprika and coriander, half the parsley, lemon juice and a pinch of salt, then stir. Sit the lamb in a roasting tray, season well, then spread the spice mix over surface of the meat. Roast for 15-20 minutes for rare to medium, 25 minutes for well done.
- Meanwhile, throw the carrots into a small roasting tin, add a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp of the olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes until carrots are just browning slightly at the edges.
- Just before you take the carrots out of the oven, prepare the couscous. Tip it into a bowl, pour over the hot stock, then leave to stand for 5 minutes. Break the couscous up with a fork and leave to cool. Add the remaining olive oil and parsley, satsuma juice, allspice, mint and onion, stir well, then add the cooked carrots and season.
- Put the lamb on a warmed plate and leave it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice it in half to give 3-4 cutlets each, then cut in half again. Spoon the couscous on to two plates, scatter over the almonds and top with the lamb. Serve with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 888 calories, Fat 67 grams fat, SaturatedFat 18 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 40 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 34 grams protein, Sodium 1.22 milligram of sodium
ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH MOROCCAN SPICE RUB RECIPE - (4.1/5)
Provided by á-25087
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the spice rub. Toast cumin seeds and coriander seeds in a dry skillet over medium low heat, stirring frequently, for 5 or so minutes, until fragrant. Transfer to plate and let cool thoroughly. Grind cumin, coriander and peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder. Combine the cumin mixture in a bowl with the remaining rub ingredients, stirring to thoroughly blend. Spread the rub evenly over the entire surface of the leg of lamb. Wrap the leg of lamb in plastic wrap and marinate, chilled, for 4 hours or longer. Remove from fridge for last half-hour of marinating to let it warm up slightly before roasting. Roast the leg of lamb. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly oil a baking pan and place the leg of lamb in a rack in the pan. Roast in the center of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes per pound, rotating the pan once halfway through. Variations in ovens and the size of the leg of lamb will cause cooking times to vary quite a bit. Use a quick-read thermometer to check the lamb well before you think it should be done. You're shooting for an internal temperature of anywhere from 130 to 145ºF. Remove from the oven and let it rest, tented lightly with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips:
- Selecting the Right Lamb: Choose a fresh leg of lamb that has a pinkish-red color and a fine texture. Avoid meat that is brown or has a strong odor.
- Preparing the Lamb: Trim excess fat from the lamb leg, leaving about 1/4 inch of fat for flavor and moisture. Score the lamb with a sharp knife to help the marinade penetrate.
- Creating the Moroccan Spice Blend: Combine ground cumin, coriander, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. This aromatic blend adds a unique depth of flavor to the lamb.
- Marinating the Lamb: In a large bowl, combine the lamb leg, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cilantro, and the prepared spice blend. Massage the marinade into the lamb, ensuring it's evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Roasting the Lamb: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the marinated lamb leg in a roasting pan with the vegetables (carrots, onions, and celery). Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 2 hours, or until the lamb reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare.
- Resting the Lamb: Once the lamb is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Conclusion:
This Moroccan-spiced roasted leg of lamb is a culinary masterpiece that combines the vibrant flavors of Morocco with the succulent richness of lamb. The leg of lamb is marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and herbs, then roasted until tender and juicy. Accompanied by roasted vegetables, this dish is a feast for the senses and a perfect centerpiece for any special occasion. The detailed recipe and tips provided in this article ensure that you can recreate this mouthwatering dish in your own kitchen, impressing your family and friends with your culinary skills. Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Morocco and savor the delectable taste of this roasted leg of lamb.
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