Roast Leg of Lamb With Fork-Mashed Mint Peas

Preparation

1. Step 1

   To make the lamb: the night before, tie off lamb with kitchen twine, drawing it around every 2 inches. Season with pepper, garlic, rosemary and lemon; coat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

2. Step 2

   Two hours before cooking, take the leg out of the refrigerator so that the meat comes to room temperature. Season lamb with half a teaspoon of salt per pound.

3. Step 3

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the roasting pan on the stovetop and turn the flame to medium-high; add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place leg of lamb in pan and sear to golden brown on all sides. Turn off flame and remove lamb; place roasting rack in pan and put leg of lamb on rack. (If you don't have a roasting rack, use a professional shortcut and take 2 feet of aluminum foil, crush it into a bagel-size circle and put it under the leg.)

4. Step 4

   After 1 hour, check temperature in the deepest part of the leg with an instant-read thermometer (for medium-rare lamb, the rule of thumb is 15 minutes a pound). The thermometer should read 118 degrees for a bloody medium-rare, 120 degrees for rosy pink. Remember that the ends will be hotter and more cooked.

5. Step 5

   Place lamb on platter and let rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Deglaze pan with 1 cup chicken stock. Strain, and pour half the liquid onto the platter with the lamb, saving the rest for the peas.

6. Step 6

   To make the peas: heat a heavy 5-quart saucepan over a medium flame. Add deglazing liquid from roasting pan and then the peas. As they soften, mash the peas against side of saucepan with the tines of a fork, pressing in the meaty deglazing liquid. When mashed to desired level, season with salt and pepper; add torn mint leaves and stir. Serve immediately.