HAY-BAKED STUFFED LEG OF LAMB

Hay-baked stuffed leg of lamb image

Try something different with roast lamb and make this Sunday centrepiece cooked in hay - it adds a sweet smoky flavour. Just make sure it's free of pesticides

Provided by Tom Kerridge

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

250g kale , stalks removed
4 garlic cloves , finely chopped
4 anchovies , finely chopped
1 lemon , zested
70g fresh breadcrumbs
1 ½kg leg of lamb , part tunnel-boned, shank still attached (ask your butcher to do this for you)
2 bunches rosemary
1 bunch thyme
100g hay , toasted (for 8-10 mins at 160C/140C fan/ gas 3, optional)
500ml lamb or chicken stock
2 tbsp olive oil
butchers' string to tie the lamb

Steps:

Cook the kale in boiling water until just wilted, then refresh in iced water. Drain and carefully squeeze the excess water from the kale, then roughly chop. Tip into a mixing bowl, stir in the garlic, anchovies, zest and breadcrumbs, and season (add lots of pepper). Pack the stuffing into the cavity of the lamb and tie with string - it doesn't matter if it's messy, just make sure the filling is secured. Can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept in the fridge.
Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5. Mix the herbs with the hay (if using), transfer to a deep roasting tin, then pour over the stock. Nestle the lamb on top, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 1 hr 20 mins for pink lamb, adding 10 mins if you want it cooked through and another 10 mins for well done. Rest for 20 mins, then carve into thick slices and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435 calories, Fat 26 grams fat, SaturatedFat 11 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 1 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 42 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium