Leg of Lamb with Gigandes and Tomatoes
Spectacular aromas emanate from the combined roasting of lamb, tomato, beans, garlic, and onions. I am always proud to serve this surprising hit. While not difficult, this recipe is time-consuming (aren't most great things?) Make the beans and tomatoes early in the day to help alleviate pre-dinnertime preparation. Menu Ideas? A simple salad or steamed green asparagus with Curried Mayonnaise balances the meal. ~Joanna
Boneless Leg is Easiest.
Yield 8 servings
Ingredients
beans (90 minutes)
1 pound navy beans
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion peeled, left whole
8 sprigs of thyme, tied in a bundle (or 1 teaspoon dried leaves)
2 teaspoons salt
tomatoes and onions (30 minutes)
6 cups chopped tomatoes (about 2 pounds)
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 8 cloves)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
lamb (90 minutes)
1 butterflied boneless half leg of lamb, 3.5 to 4 pounds
2 teaspoons thyme leaves, and any thyme stems
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (about 6 cloves)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large cloves garlic, cut into slivers
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
| 1 | Boil beans first by rinsing, then adding water to cover beans 1 inch over the top. Soak overnight. Alternatively, do a quick-soak-cook. Bring beans to a boil. After two minutes, remove from heat and rest for one hour. |
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| 2 | Drain, then add fresh water up to half an inch over the beans. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Add bay leaves, whole onion, and thyme sprigs and cook on low heat for 20 min. Skim off any foam. |
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| 3 | Add salt and cook until beans are near tender about 45 minutes. Beans can hold for 8 hours. |
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| 4 | Make tomato sauce, first melting butter in a large deep skillet over low heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring often until onions are soft and golden. Do not let brown. Add tomatoes and thyme to skillet cooking 7 minutes. Season with a little salt and pepper, and set aside. Tomato-onion sauce can hold for 8 hours. |
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| 5 | Preheat oven to 500°F. In a bowl, mix thyme, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. Set this garlic seasoning bowl aside. |
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| 6 | If the lamb has been tied, untie and unroll meat. Trim any excess fat. Sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on the inside. Roll and tie with kitchen twine. Using the point of a sharp knife, make small incisions in lamb and insert garlic slivers, or any hard thyme stems. Place lamb in roasting pan. |
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| 7 | Reduce oven temperature to 400°F and place lamb roasting pan in oven. Cook uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes until lamb reaches 110°F internal temperature. Spread garlic seasoning over lamb. Roast 10 minutes more. |
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| 8 | Meanwhile, combine beans and tomato-onion sauce and gently warm. |
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| 9 | Watch to remove lamb from oven. Remove when internal temperature reaches 120°F for medium-rare or 130°F for medium. Remember, it will continue to cook as it rests. Place lamb on serving platter to stand for 10 minutes. |
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| 10 | Add bean-tomato-onion mixture to lamb roasting pan, scraping up any brown bits clinging to the pan. Stir in butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon this pan mixture around the lamb and serve. |
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| 11 | Slice lamb at the table, serve with a generous scoop of the bean-tomato mix. |
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notes
Fresh large beans improve the quality of this dish. Rancho Gordo is a terrific source for beans, gigandes in particular. Recipe adapted from Patricia Wells 'Gigot Aux Chevriers Le Mont-Saint-Michel' in The Food Lover's Guide to France.
