Recipes

North African Leg of Lamb with Couscous and Grilled Vegetables

Preparation & Cooking Time: Prep time: 1 hour | Marinating time: 8 to 24 hours | Grilling time: 45 to 57 minutes
Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

Recipe by Jamie Purviance

Marinade

  • 3 large shallots, about 8 ounces total, each peeled and quartered
  • ¾ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
  • ? cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 8 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

  • 1 boneless leg of lamb, 5 to 5¼ pounds, butterflied, excess fat, sinew, and silver skin removed

Vegetables

  • 2 fennel bulbs (with fronds), about 1¼ pounds total
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut crosswise into ?- to ½-inch slices
  • 1 pound medium zucchini, trimmed, each cut lengthwise into ?- to ½-inch slices
  • 2 large red bell peppers, each cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
  • 4–5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Couscous

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 12 ounces finely chopped shallots (about 2 cups)
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1½ teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 boxes (each 10 to 12 ounces) 5-minute plain couscous
  • ¾ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped, divided

Method

  1. In a food processor combine the marinade ingredients and process until an almost smooth puree forms. Place the lamb, opened flat, in a large glass baking dish or on a sheet pan. Spread the marinade evenly all over both sides of the lamb. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours. Allow the lamb to stand at room temperature for 45 minutes to 1 hour before grilling (do not scrape the marinade off the lamb).

  2. Cut off the thick stalks and the root ends from the fennel bulbs and discard. Finely chop and reserve the fronds for garnish. Cut each fennel bulb in half lengthwise and then cut each half into ?-inch slices. In a large bowl combine all the cut vegetables. Add ¼ cup of the oil, the salt, and pepper and toss gently, being careful not to break the vegetables. If the vegetables seem dry, add one more tablespoon oil. 

  3. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F).

  4. Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the lamb, fat side down first, over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 125° to 130°F, 30 to 45 minutes for medium rare, turning once after 20 minutes.

  5. About 15 minutes before the lamb is done, prepare the couscous. In a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken broth and bring to boil. Stir in the couscous. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand 5 to 10 minutes (keep the couscous covered to keep warm).

  6. Remove the lamb from the grill, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Maintain the heat of the grill.

  7. While the meat is resting, grill the vegetables over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until they are tender and lightly charred on the outside, turning occasionally. The fennel and squash will take 10 to 12 minutes, the peppers will take 6 to 8 minutes, and the zucchini will take 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the grill as they are done.

  8. Cut the lamb crosswise into slices. Spoon the couscous on half of a large platter and the vegetables on the other half. Top the couscous with ½ cup of the mint and sprinkle the fennel fronds over the vegetables. Arrange the lamb slices on the couscous. Top the lamb with the remaining ¼ cup mint. Drizzle the lamb with any accumulated juices. Serve warm.


Notes

Special equipment: instant-read thermometer