Little help on some Aldi Lamb.

bucky925

Bought this today at Aldi's just cause.  I have never done lamb before and I'm sure it's not the best cut.  That being said, which direction should I go?  I have done the "perp search" and didn't get what I was looking for. 
Thanks in advance. 

gdenby

From what I can gather from the label, you have a bit less than3 pounds of boneless lamb leg.

Most folks cook leg of lamb rather fast, at least 350F raised direct, and up to 450F. Just long enough to get good browning, and render some fat. The meat tends to be rather "rich".

Lamb often has a strong flavor mostly in the fat, so  that is the reason to cook it out. Its usually pretty tender,  so no reason to cook lo-n-slo to make it soft.

I'd be inclined to get some spinach and pine nuts, maybe some lemon peel gratings, and fold the meat over those.  Lots of salt and garlic powder on the outer surfaces.

CarolinaCrazy

Marinate it Red wine, garlic, rosemary, S&P.

I really like to do lamb reverse sear. Lamb can get really gamey and strong if 1) the fat burns, or 2) it is over done.  By reverse sear you can cook it to render off some of the fat and keep it at medium rare, and the fast sear doesn't let the fat burn (too much).

that lamb looks pretty lean.

good luck

td66snrf

Salt, pepper, granulated garlic or stud it with garlic, fresh lemon juice. Lamb doesn't do well being rare. I'd cook it to at least 135.

da87

Agree on the marinade and at least overnight - 24 hours even better. I posted a Zinfandel marinade/sauce on another lamb thread that we love. Red Zin, rosemary, garlic, s&p and some other stuff. Reserve some and reduce for a sauce. The same thread had a really cool middle eastern approach as well. Direct to get the outer sear and I don't roll or fold. We like rare lamb, but others don't; the beauty of most butterflied legs is that they have varied thickness so as you slice you naturally get a full range - rare to medium.  It's a great meal, enjoy however you cook it!

nolaegghead

Plenty of ways to cook, we cook these often and different ways.

Lamb isn't weird unless you never eat it.

For the most palatable method across the demographic of people not familiar with it - make kabobs.

Cut into 1.5" cubes.  Make some marinade by blending olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.   Put the cubes and marinade together in a freezer bag and store overnight in the fridge.

Next day, dry off the lamb with a towel.  Skewer, cook hot until medium rare.

You will love them, one of our favorite.

You can also do a roast.  I've done SV and finished direct.  Or you can just do direct or indirect to medium rare.  We don't mind rare, but that's not for everyone.

Lamb fat is a bit strong, but I have to admit I like the outside crispy, the fat doesn't bother me at all.

Serve with some tzatziki sauce, or some simple sour cream with horseradish.

A real treat.

SmokeyPitt

If I were cooking it right now, with stuff I have on hand:
Make a paste with olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried herbs. 
Grill raised direct at around 400 until 125. 
Let rest, and serve with horseradish sauce and a bottle of Zin.

blind99

roll that sucker up around some goat cheese mixed with spinach and fresh herbs.  tie it.  brush with olive oil and put a bunch more garlic and herbs.

roast it indirect.

bucky925

blind99 said:

roll that sucker up around some goat cheese mixed with spinach and fresh herbs.  tie it.  brush with olive oil and put a bunch more garlic and herbs.

roast it indirect.

I do believe this is what I will try....thanks for the input guys

fishlessman

i would do the kabobs, medium rare with a good sear on the outside and the balsamic marinade nola posted, cant go wrong.  make sure you only make what your going to eat, lamb does not reheat well. if you have a grinder the kafta kabob recipe on this site is incredible, or make a ground lamb sheppards pie. the drippings make an incredibly rich delicious gravy, my favorite for homemade gravies

da87

@bucky925 - Found the thread I was thinking of and pasted below.  We like both the zinfandel and now the Turkish yogurt marinades for lamb.  Totally different flavor profiles - just depends on your mood and/or pallet.  Enjoy!  http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2156675#Comment_2156675

bucky925

Epic fail.   The after taste was terrible !  We went out to eat. 

lousubcap

Was it the taste, texture or all of the above and more that led to the fail?  Asking because if you have never had lamb before that it has a "much different" flavor profile. 
Like the first bourbon or scotch- sometimes the first go 'round misses the mark.  FWIW-

bucky925

lousubcap said:

Was it the taste, texture or all of the above and more that led to the fail?  Asking because if you have never had lamb before that it has a "much different" flavor profile. 
Like the first bourbon or scotch- sometimes the first go 'round misses the mark.  FWIW-

I have only had lamb 2 times before tonight.   One I liked and one I didn't .  I would have dug the stuffing out and ate it like a ice-cream (did it like a pork tenderloin ).  But the after taste of the lamb was not applaling to me or the wife.  

nolaegghead

Maybe it's the Aldi's stuff.  I dunno. 

Toxarch

Some people like it, some people don't. You can't cook it past medium or it is not as good. I'll eat it rare, no problem. I like rack of lamb a lot more than leg.