The rich umami flavor of roasted lamb and mint with creamy, tangy feta cheese and the crunch of pine nuts. Delicious!
Most people don’t realize that lamb is a young sheep under 12 months of age which does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear. Mutton is meat from a sheep over two years old, and has less tender flesh. In general, the darker the colour, the older the animal. Baby lamb meat will be pale pink, in contrast to older meat which is pinkish-red. My preference is, grass-fed from Colorado.
Print Recipe
Leg of lamb stuffed with feta cheese, pine nuts, apricots and mint
The rich umami flavor of roasted lamb and mint with creamy, tangy feta cheese and the crunch of pine nuts. Delicious!
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut six 2-foot lengths of butcher's twine. In a small skillet sauté apricots and shallots in butter 1 minute or until lightly browned. Transfer to a small bowl and mix well with feta cheese, pine nuts and mint; season to taste with salt and pepper.
To butterfly the lamb. Arrange the lamb on work surface, inside facing up. Cut through to the bone. Then around the bone on each side to open it up.
Place a sheet of plastic wrap over lamb and pound with a meat mallet to flatten meat slightly, if needed, until leg is a fairly even thickness. Remove plastic wrap and generously season inside and outside of lamb with salt and pepper.
Mound stuffing mixture lengthwise along one side of lamb; roll up lamb over stuffing, tucking in ends.
Space 5 pieces of twine under lamb roll and tie them firmly, starting at outside and working in. Tie roll lengthwise with remaining piece of twine. In a roasting pan set over 2 burners, heat oil over high heat. Add lamb roll and sear all over, about 6 minutes in all. Transfer lamb to a rack and set down in the roasting pan. Roast until brown and tender and an instant read thermometer reads 140 degrees F for medium rare, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting occasionally. Remove from oven and let sit, covered loosely with foil, 10 minutes. To serve, discard strings, slice in 12 pieces and serve
Recipe Notes
© Galley Chef All Rights Reserved
This is the traditional Italian recipe for basil pesto made with lots of fresh basil. *Secret chef’s technique: Sprinkle fresh parmigiano reggiano on your pasta first, after the pasta is cooked, then add the pesto. The cheese will stick the pesto to the pasta and create the perfect texture.
Print Recipe
Basil Pesto (Traditional)
This pesto packs a flavor punch that will not be forgotten!
Instructions
Toast the pine nuts in a 300 degree oven for 5 minutes. Watch them closely. They will burn.
Put all the ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor and blend streaming in the olive oil slowly until everything is mixed. Add extra oil if needed.
Recipe Notes
This recipe will make enough pesto for 1 pound of dried pasta. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month. The best technique to use it is to sprinkle fresh parmigiano reggiano on your pasta first, after the pasta is cooked, then add the pesto. The cheese will stick the pesto to the pasta and create the perfect texture.