Sometimes its the simplest things that result in outsized satisfaction. For example....Olive oil-garlic-rosemary, the Holy Trinity of lamb marinade. Three ingredients that exemplify that the sum is greater than the individual parts, especially the way the jacked up the satisfaction level of a rotisseried leg of lamb I did the other day. In this marinade they pair perfectly with the rich meatiness of the lamb. Now this marinade is really complicated so pay attention. Maybe have your four-year-old help if it gets too deep:
Mix together: four tablespoons or so chopped rosemary + 5 (or 6 or 7 or...) minced peeled garlic cloves + 1/3 cup olive oil + 1 or more hours of time in the fridge to let the goodness soak into the meat = meat that's worth fighting for the last piece.
Okay, one more step is to prick your leg 'o lamb all over with a paring knife, making little entrance wounds so its easier for the goo to work its way into the meat. Season the whole thing with S&P before you truss it up (or better yet have your butcher do the tying for you after boning the leg, then make your slits in the meat around the string) on the rotisserie skewer and you are golden. My 6 pound piece of lamb took about 90 minutes over moderate heat on the Weber after a quick 15 minute shot in the kitchen oven of 450* heat to give it some crust. To know when it is done all you need is your instaread to reach about 128* and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This came off the rotisserie looking astonishingly juicy and with an exquisite brown crust. Start carving slices for your lucky guests and they'll love even more than they already do!
BTW, if you're looking for a perfect gift for the Weber aficionado, then you have to bestow upon them the Weber rotisserie attachment (pictured below). I LOVE mine, and it has changed my life for the better in so many delicious ways, as you can see from that magazine-cover worthy roast chicken at left (and that pic was taken w/ the crappy iPhone cam. for my recipe and pics of the rotisserie in action, click here). If you're tempted to get one for yourself, don't even waste time trying to rationalize it, just do it! One perfectly crisped chicken later, you'll feel like a tool for even thinking you had to justify it.
2 comments:
A really great example of why quality ingredients are so important. When you buy quality meat, oils, etc. you simply don't need to get crazy with spices and such to cover up sub-par flavor. Just let the food do the talking. We hear your Rosemary/Garlic Lamb loud + clear!
Zup....Why do people make it more difficult than they have to? Thanks for your comment, I couldn't agree more!
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