Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, crushed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 cup pitted mixed green and black olives
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 5- to 7-pound boneless leg of lamb, butterflied and trimmed of surface fat (have the butcher do this for you)
Directions
Puree the garlic, paprika, coriander, cumin, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into a paste in a mini food processor. Add the olives, parsley, cilantro and lemon juice; pulse to chop. Add the butter and pulse to incorporate all the ingredients.
Cut the lamb along a natural seam into 2 equal pieces. Rub the olive-spice mixture evenly all over the lamb; cover and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.
Bring the lamb to room temperature about 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the broiler and line a broiler pan with foil. Place the lamb smooth-side down on the pan. Broil just until charred, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven; carefully turn the lamb, using tongs. Return to the oven; broil until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 125 to 130 degrees, about 10 more minutes.
Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain and arrange on a platter.
Photography by Con Poulos

Photo: Olive-and-Spice-Rubbed Leg of Lamb Recipe
















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By mogrimes2_12781552
corvallis, 77
on April 23, 2011
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Delicious! Very easy! We have made this one a holiday go to.
By talkmaker_12779692
Carson City, 68
on April 01, 2010
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We are making this an Easter tradition. We grilled the lamb over a bed of hickory coals and it was amazing!
By Chef #1556744
on January 31, 2010
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The rub for the lamb was amazing. I never used corriander before and was pleasantly suprised. I did however omit the olives (didn't have any and used a little olive oil instead.
My broiler is also broken so I grilled the lanb about 5 minutes on both sides then I removed it from the heat and wrapped in foil. After 10 minutes I cut the lamb and seared it about 1 minute on each cut side to absorb the flavors left on the grill pan.
This is a definate keeper.
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