Roast Lamb With Fennel And Fall Vegetables Recipes

FOREVER ROASTED LAMB WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Make the Fennel Spice Rub: Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, stir in the salt and pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. (They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.)
• Pour the seeds into a blender or spice mill and blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze. (Makes about 1 1/4 cups.)
• In 1 pot, bring sweet potatoes and water up to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until tender. Strain and lay out to cool.
• In another pot bring 1/2 gallon water to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt, add sprouts and cook for 3 minutes Strain and lay out to cool.
• For the lamb: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Place a roasting pan in the oven.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat until hot. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 1 minute. Add the sage and cook about 3 minutes. Add the water, cover, and cook until the onions are very tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and saute until the onions are very soft and the pan is dry again, about 2 minutes.
• Slice open the leg of lamb and lay flat. Season meat well all over with the Fennel Spice and salt and pepper. Spread half of the sauteed onion mixture directly on top of the seasoning, inside the leg of lamb. Roll up the meat and tie with kitchen twine. Set aside the other half of onion mixture.
• Rub the outside of the lamb with more Fennel Spice. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and lay the carrots and celery on the bottom. Place the lamb on top of the carrots and celery, drizzle with some extra-virgin olive oil and cook for 7 hours. Spread the remaining onion mixture on top of the lamb, place a foil as a tent over the lamb and roast for an additional hour. The lamb is ready when it pulls away easily if picked at with a pair of tongs. Remove the lamb from the oven and keep warm.
• Increase the oven heat to 425 degrees F.
• Heat a large saute pan on high heat. Add 1/4 cup olive oil and reserved sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts; Toss lightly to coat with oil and do not touch for 2 minutes or until the bottoms begin to brown. Turn and cook for 3 more minutes until brown on that side. Season with salt and pepper and place in oven for 15 minutes After 15 minutes open oven and add sage and garlic. Stir well and continue to roast for 5 minutes more or until the garlic is light brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with orange zest.
• Serve lamb warm with roasted vegetables.

ROASTED LAMB WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Allow the leg of lamb to rest at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
• Whisk the garlic, pepper, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, rosemary, 1/2 cup olive oil, vinegar, and honey together in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the lamb, then season with 2 tablespoons coarse salt. Set aside. Place carrots, potatoes, beet, yam, and turnips in a large roasting pan. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the seasoned leg of lamb on top of the vegetables.
• Roast the lamb in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Continue roasting to your desired degree of doneness, about 90 minutes more for medium-rare. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C).
• Allow the leg of lamb on a cutting board, tented with aluminum foil, for 30 minutes before carving. Place the vegetables on a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm until ready to serve.

FENNEL-ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare all vegetables and place in a large bowl. Cover generously with olive oil and Fennel Spice Rub. Cover and toss well to combine.
• Heat a very large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the carrots and cook for about 1 minute, then add the onions and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until the vegetables are nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat if needed to keep them from burning.
• Add the fennel bulb, zucchini, additional Fennel Spice Rub or crushed fennel seed, and salt, to taste. Toss well to distribute the seasonings. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and toss again. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the vegetables are deeply caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring them occasionally so they cook evenly. Serve immediately.
• Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
• Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

RACK OF LAMB WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the minced garlic, fennel seeds, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the back of the lamb. Set aside.
• Place the fennel in a large, shallow roasting pan and toss with the sliced garlic, remaining olive oil, chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper to taste. Roast, tossing from time to time, for 35 minutes. Place the lamb over the fennel and roast until the lamb is medium-rare, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Carve the lamb. Season the fennel with additional salt and pepper to taste. Divide the lamb and the fennel among 4 plates and serve immediately.