Roast Lamb Leg with Polenta
Roasted leg of lamb with griddled vegetables and polenta cakes
Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lamb leg, Polenta
- Lamb Leg 4 - 5 lb
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 3 oz grapeseed oil
- 1 ea red onion
- 6 small ramps/wild leeks or 8 scallions optional
- 1 ea broccoli rabe or rapini
- 2 ea Fresno chili pepper
- 1 Tablespoon dried chilis of your choice
- 4 Tablespoons chives chopped
- 1 ea lemon
- 8 oz polenta
Roast Lamb Leg
- Allow thawed lamb leg to reach room temperature (about 4 hours). 
- Remove leg from netting and unroll. Brush leg with oil and season with salt, pepper and dried chilis. Roll meat back up and replace netting on leg. 
- When oven roasted cook slowly at 325°F, basting with pan drippings, until internal temperature reaches 125°F (approximately 20 minutes per lb). 
- Remove from the oven and wrap in foil. 
- Turn oven up to 450°F. Remove meat from foil and place back in the oven until outside is crisp but not burnt. 
Polenta
- Before you cook the lamb, cook the polenta.  Bring four cups of lightly seasoned water to a simmer, then whisk in the polenta. 
- Slowly simmer until tender adding water when needed, about 90 minutes. 
- Season with salt and pepper. 
- Grease a pan with grapeseed oil and spread out polenta evenly. 
- Cool, then refrigerate. Cut the polenta into squares, triangles, or any shape you like. 
- Brown both sides on an oiled cast iron skillet or griddle, about 4-5 minutes. 
Vegetables
- Slice red onions thin, trim broccoli rabe into manageable sizes, slice Fresno chili peppers and ramps thin and drizzle the cooking surface or skillet with oil. 
- Sear the broccoli rabe and allow to crisp on one side. 
- Add onions, optional ramps, chives and peppers. 
- When vegetables are softened add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper, then keep warm and reserve.