SLOW-GRILLED LEG OF LAMB WITH MINT YOGURT AND SALSA VERDE

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Slow-Grilled Leg of Lamb with Mint Yogurt and Salsa Verde image

Provided by Chad Colby

Categories     Lamb     Kid-Friendly     Yogurt     Mint     Rosemary     Grill/Barbecue     Bon Appétit     Small Plates

Yield 8-10 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

Mint yogurt:
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 cups whole-milk plain Greek yogurt
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon (or more) fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Salsa verde:
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Lamb:
1 cup rosemary leaves
3/4 cup peeled garlic cloves (from about 2 heads)
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 (5 1/2-6 1/2-pounds) whole bone-in leg of lamb, shank attached, frenched
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 cup chopped preserved lemons
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

Steps:

  • Mint Yogurt:
  • Mix garlic, yogurt, mint, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
  • Do Ahead
  • Mint yogurt can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
  • Salsa verde:
  • Process anchovies, garlic, oil, parsley, mint, capers, and lemon juice in a food processor until herbs are finely chopped; season with salt and pepper.
  • Do Ahead
  • Salsa verde can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
  • Lamb:
  • Prepare grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off).
  • Blend rosemary, garlic, and 3/4 cup oil in a blender or food processor until rosemary and garlic are finely chopped. Season lamb all over with salt and pepper and smear with rosemary mixture.
  • Grill lamb, fat side up, over direct heat, turning often and moving to cooler side of grill as needed to control flareups, until evenly browned all over, 15-20 minutes (lamb and marinade are both very fatty, so monitor closely and move off the grill for a moment if flare-ups get too intense). Position lamb over indirect heat and grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of lamb registers 135°, 1 1/2-2 hours. (The leg is composed of several muscle groups; take the temperature in multiple spots for the most accurate reading.)
  • Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Holding bone, thinly slice lamb against the grain, continuing until you reach the bone. Rotate lamb and continue to thinly slice (slice only as much as you are serving.)
  • Top lamb with lemons and mint; serve with mint yogurt and salsa verde.
  • Do Ahead
  • Lamb can be marinated 1 day ahead; chill. Lamb can be grilled 2 hours ahead; hold at room temperature. Grill over high to reheat, about 4 minutes, before slicing and finishing as directed above.

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