Recipe

Pecora al Cotturo with Herb Crust

Savory Herb-Crusted Roasted Lamb

4.6 out of 5

Indulge in the rich flavors of Italian cuisine with this exquisite Pecora al Cotturo recipe. Succulent lamb is coated in a fragrant herb crust and roasted to perfection, resulting in a dish that is both tender and flavorful.

Meat Dish› Lamb/Mutton Dish› Pecora al cotturo

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Italian cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

1 hour

Total time

1 hour and 20 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Medium

Suitable for

Mediterranean diet, Low-carb diet, High-protein diet, Gluten-free diet, Paleo diet

Allergens

Wheat (breadcrumbs)

Not suitable for

Vegetarian diet, Vegan diet, Dairy-free diet, Nut-free diet, Kosher diet

Ingredients

2 pounds (900g) lamb leg, bone-in 2 pounds (900g) lamb leg, bone-in
4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup (240ml) breadcrumbs 1 cup (240ml) breadcrumbs

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 1g
Protein: 50g
Fiber: 1g
Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2.
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to create a herb paste.
3.
Rub the herb paste all over the lamb leg, ensuring it is evenly coated.
4.
Roll the lamb leg in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the meat.
5.
Place the lamb leg on a roasting rack in a baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare.
6.
Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
7.
Slice the lamb and serve it with your choice of side dishes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Breadcrumbs — For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or substitute with crushed gluten-free crackers.
Lamb leg — Make sure to trim any excess fat from the lamb leg before applying the herb paste for a leaner dish.
Fresh herbs — If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs instead. However, reduce the quantity by half as dried herbs are more potent.

Tips & Tricks

To achieve a crispy crust, make sure to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the lamb leg.
For added flavor, marinate the lamb leg with the herb paste overnight in the refrigerator before roasting.
Serve the lamb leg with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to complement the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the herb-crusted roasted lamb as the centerpiece of a special dinner. Slice the lamb and arrange it on a platter, garnishing with fresh herbs for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

For an eye-catching presentation, place the sliced herb-crusted lamb leg on a bed of fresh arugula or spinach leaves. Drizzle with a balsamic reduction or a tangy yogurt sauce for an added touch of sophistication.