National Roast Leg of Lamb Day is celebrated annually on April 19th. This day is a great opportunity to celebrate the succulent and savory flavor of a roasted leg of lamb. Lamb is an incredibly versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, but roasting is one of the most popular methods of preparation. Roasting a leg of lamb gives the meat a deep flavor and tender texture that is perfect for a festive celebration.

Roasted leg of lamb is a traditional dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. The earliest known recipe for roasted lamb was found in the Roman cookbook Apicius, which was written around 4th century A.D. Apicius is an ancient Roman cookbook that was written around 4th century A.D. It contains a variety of recipes, including ones for roasted meats, fish, vegetables, and sauces. The recipes in Apicius are written in a unique style, with ingredients and instructions often listed separately. The book also includes instructions for preparing and serving food, as well as advice on how to pair different wines with certain dishes. Apicius is considered to be one of the oldest surviving cookbooks in the world and is still used by modern chefs to recreate ancient Roman recipes.

This recipe called for the lamb leg to be roasted with added garlic, honey, and spices. Since then, roasted lamb has been a popular dish in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Greece, and France. Throughout the centuries, the recipe has been adapted to include various herbs and spices, such as rosemary and thyme, as well as different cooking techniques, like braising or slow roasting. Today, roasted leg of lamb is still a popular dish and can be found in many different cultures and cuisines.

The recipe for roasted leg of lamb from Apicius calls for the following ingredients:

Ingredients: 

1 leg of lamb
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Place the leg of lamb in a roasting pan.

3. In a small bowl, mix together garlic, honey, black pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

4. Rub the mixture all over the leg of lamb.

5. Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 135° F.

6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

The United States is the world’s largest consumer of lamb, with an estimated 1.3 billion pounds consumed each year. This is followed by Australia, with an estimated 800 million pounds consumed annually. Outside of the US and Australia, lamb is consumed in much smaller quantities in other parts of the world, with the United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand being among the top consumers. Globally, it is estimated that around 4 billion pounds of lamb are consumed each year.

Fun Facts:

1. Lamb is the most popular meat in the Middle East.
2. The largest leg of lamb ever roasted weighed nearly 500 pounds.
3. Lamb is one of the oldest domesticated animals, with evidence of its domestication dating back over 10,000 years.
4. Leg of lamb is a popular Easter dish in many parts of the world.
5. Lamb is a good source of protein and is rich in B vitamins, zinc, and iron.

 

Modern Roast Leg of Lamb Recipe

Ingredients:

4-5 lb leg of lamb

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Rub olive oil over the surface of the lamb.
3. In a small bowl, combine garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the lamb.
4. Place the lamb in a roasting pan. Pour the lemon juice over the lamb.
5. Roast the lamb for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
6. Let the lamb rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

 

To celebrate National Roast Leg of Lamb Day, why not try out a new recipe or technique? There are countless ways to prepare a leg of lamb, including marinating the meat, stuffing it with herbs, or even slow cooking it with vegetables. Regardless of the technique, roasting a leg of lamb is sure to make for a delicious meal. Let us know in the comments how you like your lamb.