Grilled leg of lamb with spinach and broad beans
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A dish that sings with the flavours of late spring, this combination of pink lamb, tender broad beans and wilted spinach in plenty of olive oil shows how impressive simple seasonal cooking can be. As with all recipes (but in particular the relaxed Italian cuisine The River Cafe has become famous for), quality of the ingredients is paramount.
Ingredients
Lamb
- 5 garlic cloves , peeled and crushed
- 2 tbsp of rosemary leaves , chopped
- 1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper , coarse
- 1 leg of lamb , weighing approx. 2.25kg, boned and butterflied
- 2 tbsp of lemon juice , fresh
- 3 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 tbsp of sea salt
Vegetables
- 1.5kg broad bean pods
- 1 garlic clove , finely sliced
- 1 dried red chilli , crushed
- 1kg spinach , washed and tough stalks removed
- 1 lemon , cut into wedges
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
Method
1
Begin by marinating the lamb the day before. Mix together the crushed garlic, rosemary and black pepper in a small bowl, then rub this into the cut side of the lamb. Place the meat in a shallow dish and pour over the lemon juice and olive oil. Turn the meat over a couple of times to make sure it is coated, then cover and leave to marinate at room temperature overnight, turning the meat occasionally if possible
- 5 garlic cloves , peeled and crushed
- 2 tbsp of rosemary leaves , chopped
- 1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper , coarse
- 1 leg of lamb , weighing approx. 2.25kg, boned and butterflied
- 2 tbsp of lemon juice , fresh
- 3 tbsp of olive oil
2
The next day, light a charcoal barbecue or heat a large griddle pan until very hot. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry. Season with salt, then carefully place the meat on the grill and brown on both sides
- 1 tbsp of sea salt
3
Lower the heat and continue to grill until the meat reaches the desired degree of pinkness, turning once. Allow at least 8 minutes per side for a relatively rare finish; more if you like your lamb well-cooked. Rest for 20 minutes in a warm place before serving
4
While the lamb rests, pod the broad beans then blanch them in plenty of boiling water for about 5 minutes. Drain, season and toss with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil while still warm and set aside
- 1.5kg broad bean pods
- sea salt
- extra virgin olive oil
5
Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan with the garlic and chilli. When the garlic is golden, add the spinach, stir and cover. Allow the spinach to steam over a high heat, stirring from time to time, for about 5 minutes or until cooked. If excessively wet, drain the extra liquid away. Season, then stir in the broad beans
- 1 garlic clove , finely sliced
- 1 dried red chilli , crushed
- 1kg spinach , washed and tough stalks removed
6
To serve, carve the lamb into thick slices and divide between 6 plates. Add a spoonful of the broad beans and spinach alongside, then drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with a lemon wedge
- 1 lemon , cut into wedges
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Grilled leg of lamb with spinach and broad beans
