Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Caper Salsa

The wonderful Julie Biuso from Shared Kitchen delivers a mediterranean twist on our butterflied leg. This recipe packs an absolute punch in the flavour department, and has us dreaming of a long leisurely lunch in the Southland spring sunshine. Serves 4.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp dried mint
• 1 tsp hot smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Finely grated zest 1 lemon
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1x Leelands butterflied leg of lamb
• 2 Tbsp white wine
• To serve, Caper Salsa, cooked lentils, roasted tomatoes, rocket leaves and mint

 Caper Salsa

• ¼ cup capers, drained, patted dry and finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• Pinch of flaky sea salt
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley

Lentils

• 1 cup green puy lentils
• 1 bay leaf
• Strip of lemon peel
• ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
• 1 Tbsp lemon-infused extra virgin olive oil (or use oil and a squirt of lemon juice)

Roasted Tomatoes

• 12 medium vine tomatoes, halved
• Flaky sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Caster sugar
• Extra virgin olive oil

Method

Caper Salsa

Mix ingredients together and set aside.

Lentils

Add lentils, bay leaf and lemon peel to a pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil, lower heat, partially cover with a lid and cook for about 20 minutes, until tenderish. Drain well. Toss with salt and extra virgin olive oil.

Roasted Tomatoes

Preheat oven to 210°C. Put tomatoes cut side up in a shallow ovenproof dish lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and caster sugar. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes until collapsing and charring around the edges.

Lamb

1 Blend mint, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and lemon zest together in a shallow dish. Rub lamb with spice mix and leave at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 210°C.

2 Toss lamb with 1 tablespoon of oil. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a shallow heavy based ovenproof dish over high heat. When oil is hot (shimmering), add lamb fat side down and brown. Turn lamb over then immediately transfer to oven. Cook for 12 minutes only; the lamb should feel slightly springy in the thickest part.

3 Transfer lamb to a board, sprinkle lightly with salt and rest it for 10 minutes before slicing thinly. Meanwhile, scoop off fat from juices in roasting dish. Set dish over medium heat and add wine. Bubble up briefly, then add a roasted tomato and squish it into juices, removing tomato skin. Add 3 tablespoons of water. Bubble up briefly to amalgamate.

4 To serve, pile lentils, sliced lamb and roasted tomatoes in serving bowls. Spoon over pan juices. Add a spoonful of Caper Salsa. Garnish with rocket leaves and mint. Serve immediately.