Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Almond-Mint Pesto

By CBarile

Gerard Craft recommends seasoning lamb with salt and pepper, covering it with plastic wrap and letting it sit overnight in the refrigerator; simpler than brining, this method helps keep the meat succulent.

Our Pairing Suggestion For a wine match, look to Cabernet—lamb's classic partner.

Ingredients

• Four 1 1/2-pound lamb shoulder roasts, tied (have your butcher do this)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 ounces slivered almonds
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 2 cups mint leaves (from one 3-ounce bunch)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 33mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Season the lamb roasts generously with salt and pepper, wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight. Bring the roasts to room temperature before cooking.

2. Preheat the oven to 325°. In a food processor, pulse the almonds with the garlic until finely chopped. Add the mint leaves, cheese and 3/4 cup of the oil and process until smooth. Season the pesto with salt.

3. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering. Add the roasts and cook over high heat, turning, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer the roasts to a large roasting pan and spread half of the pesto over them. Cover tightly with foil and roast for about 2 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of each roast registers 170°. Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425° and roast for 30 minutes longer, until browned on top. Transfer the lamb to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.

4. Remove the strings and carve each roast into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve with the remaining pesto and lemon wedges.