Anyone ever smoked leg of lamb before? I saw this done yesterday on Primal Grill and fell in love with the recipe. I've never done lamb on the smoker, but now I'm intrigued.
Source: How to Grill, pg. 162
Method: Indirect grilling
Serves: 6 to 8
1 bunch of fresh rosemary
1 small or 1/2 large bone-in leg of lamb ( 4 to 5 pounds)
6 cloves garlic, cut into slivers
6 kalamata olives, cut into slivers and frozen
Extra-virgin olive oil in a spray bottle, plus
3 to 4 tablespoons for basting
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon Homemade Herbes de Provence (recipe
follows), or a commercial brand
1 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
You’ll also need:
2 cups wood chips (optional; preferably oak), soaked for 1 hour in water to cover, then drained; spray bottle
Strip the leaves off 2 rosemary sprigs. Finely chop the leaves of 1 sprig. Set aside the remainder of the bunch of rosemary.
Using the tip of a sharp, slender knife, make a series of 1/2-inch deep holes in the lamb, mostly in the sheath of fat on top, but also on the sides and bottom. The holes should be about 1 inch apart. Insert the garlic, olives, and whole rosemary leaves in the holes, one flavoring per hole.
Spray the leg of lamb on all sides with the oil. Combine the salt, herbes de provence, peppercorns, and chopped rosemary leaves and sprinkle them all over the lamb, patting them on with your fingertips.
Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to medium. If using a charcoal grill, place a drip pan in the center. If using a gas grill, place all the wood chips, if desired, in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and preheat on high until you ssee smoke, then reduce the heat to medium.
When ready to cook, if using a charcoal grill, toss half of the wood chips, if desired, on the coals. Place the lamb on the hot grate, away from the heat, and cover the grill. Grill until cooked to taste, 1-1/2 to 2 hours for medium-rare. Every 30 minutes, baste the leg of lamb with oil, using the remaining rosemary sprigs as a basting brush. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the leg, but not touching the bone; the internal temperature will be about 125 degrees F for rare,
145 degrees F for medium-rare; and 160 degrees F for medium. If using a charcoal grill, you’ll need to add 12 fresh coals and 1/2
cup wood chips to each side after 1 hour of grilling.
Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, let rest for 10 minutes, then carve and serve.
Sub-Recipe:
HERBES DE PROVENCE
Makes about 1 cup
3 tablespoons dried rosemary
3 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons dried marjoram
3 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried summer savory (optional)
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves
In a small mixing bowl, crumble the rosemary between your fingers to break the needles into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients and toss with your fingers to mix. Store in an airtight container away from light; it will keep for as long as 6 months.