Ingredients for Fennel-Rubbed Leg of Lamb with Carrots and Salsa Verde

• 1 (4–5-pound) butterflied boneless leg of lamb, rolled, tied

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

• 3 tablespoons fennel seeds

• 4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

• 4 garlic cloves, finely grated

• 45ml plus 60ml olive oil

• 1.1kg small or medium carrots with tops

• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives

• 2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

• A spice mill or mortar and pestle

Season lamb generously with salt and pepper; let it sit out at room temperature while you prepare the rub.

Using spice mill or mortar and pestle, coarsely grind fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in garlic and 3 tablespoons oil. Evenly rub lamb all over with spice mixture, making sure to work it into every nook and cranny.

Preheat oven to 149°C. Heat remaining 60ml oil in a large heavy skillet over medium. As soon as oil is hot and shimmering, add lamb to skillet and cook, carefully pouring off fat as needed into a small bowl (reserve it), until golden brown all over, 3–5 minutes per side. The goal here is to cook out some of the excess fat while you brown the meat, so it’s important to maintain a moderate heat to keep the meat from getting dark before the fat can melt out. If the oil looks really dark or tastes burned, discard it and use olive oil in the next step.

Trim tops from carrots and set aside for making the salsa verde. Scrub carrots, pat dry, and scatter along the outer edges of a large rimmed baking sheet. Place seared lamb in the centre. Pour reserved fat and any fat still in skillet (don’t forget to scrape out the crispy bits stuck to the bottom of the pan) over carrots, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.

Roast lamb and carrots until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre of leg registers 57°C for medium-rare, 75–90 minutes. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and tent with foil; let rest 20 minutes. Leave oven on.

While the lamb is resting, transfer carrots to a platter, then carefully pour any juices from the baking sheet into a small bowl (you should have about 60ml ; if you don’t, top off with olive oil). Transfer carrots back to baking sheet and pop back into oven. Roast 5 minutes to reheat.

Meanwhile, finely chop reserved carrot tops to make 120ml ; discard remaining tops. Place in a small bowl and mix in parsley, chives, lemon juice, pan juices, and 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper and more lemon juice if needed.

Remove twine from lamb and slice about 1/2" thick (but you can really go as thick or thin as you would like). Arrange on a platter and serve with warm roasted carrots and salsa verde alongside.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.