Lamb Grinder Recipes

Steps:

• Put the peppercorns, cloves, cardamom, fenugreek, fennel, cumin, star anise and cinnamon in a cast-iron pan set over medium-high heat and dry-roast them for a minute or two, until the spices begin to pop and release their aromas. Take care not to burn them. Add the nutmeg, ground ginger and paprika, and toss for a few more seconds, just to heat them, then transfer to a spice grinder. Process the spices into powder. Transfer to a medium bowl, and stir in the sumac, salt, fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice and oil, and stir to combine.
• Use a small sharp knife to score the leg of lamb in a few places, making half-inch-deep slits through the fat and meat. Put the lamb in a large roasting pan and rub the marinade all over it, using your hands to massage the meat. Turn the lamb fat-side up, cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it aside on a countertop for at least a couple of hours, or preferably, rest it overnight in the refrigerator.
• Heat oven to 350. Remove the aluminum foil, and place the lamb in the oven. Roast for approximately 4 1/2 hours, or until the meat is completely tender. After 30 minutes of roasting, add about a cup of boiling water to the pan, and use this liquid to baste the meat every hour or so. (Add more water, as needed, making sure there is always a little in the bottom of the pan.) After 90 minutes or so, cover the lamb with aluminum foil to prevent the spices from burning. Once the lamb is done, remove it from the oven, and leave to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Steps:

• Bring lamb to room temperature before cooking. Heat oven to 275 degrees. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast coriander seeds until aromatic. Crack 2 tablespoons seeds in a mortar. In mortar or spice grinder, grind remaining seeds until fine; set aside.
• Use a sharp knife to score fat on roast, making shallow cuts in a crisscross pattern. Rub all over, including cuts, with cracked coriander seeds, salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan and drizzle all over with olive oil.
• Roast about 6 hours, until tender and brown all the way through. Internal temperature will be about 165 degrees. (If pressed for time, cook at 325 degrees for about 3 hours, but result will not be quite as succulent.) Let rest on carving board, covered with foil, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make gravy. Tilt roasting pan and spoon off fat. Place pan on stove over low heat, sprinkle in flour and whisk up browned bits from pan. When flour is just golden, pour in stock and whisk well. Add ground coriander and simmer until thickened to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Carve lamb into thick slices so that each piece includes crust. Serve with roasted potatoes and coriander gravy.