Description
A flavorful roast lamb shoulder stuffed with a spicy and sweet harissa apricot filling. This recipe combines tender lamb with the warmth of harissa paste and the natural sweetness of dried apricots, making for a succulent and aromatic main dish perfect for a special dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Roast Lamb Shoulder
- 500 g (1.1 lb) rolled lamb shoulder
- 1 small handful soft dried apricots, diced
- 2 tbsp harissa paste, divided
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to fan assisted 190°C (200°C conventional) / 400°F / gas mark 6 to ensure it reaches the perfect roasting temperature.
- Prepare the Stuffing: Mix 1 teaspoon of harissa paste with the diced soft dried apricots until evenly combined. This mixture will add a spicy and fruity flavor to the lamb.
- Stuff the Lamb: Carefully stuff the lamb shoulder with the harissa and apricot mixture, distributing it evenly inside the rolled meat.
- Season and Rub: Rub the remaining 1 tablespoon of harissa paste all over the outside of the lamb shoulder. Season generously with salt to enhance the flavors.
- Initial Roast: Place the lamb on a baking tray and roast it in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to start the cooking process and develop a crust.
- Lower Temperature and Continue Roasting: Reduce the oven temperature to fan assisted 140°C (160°C conventional) / 325°F / gas mark 3. Continue roasting the lamb for approximately 15 minutes per 500g, which for this 500g piece is about 15 minutes more.
- Check Internal Temperature: Test the lamb’s internal temperature just before the end of the scheduled cooking time. For rare, aim for 45°C; for medium, 60°C; and for well done, 70°C. Roast a bit longer if necessary to reach your preferred doneness.
- Rest the Meat: Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender roast before carving.
Notes
- Ensure the lamb is rolled tightly and well secured to keep the stuffing intact during roasting.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge doneness for perfect results.
- Resting the meat is crucial to preserve juiciness and tenderness.
- Adjust the amount of harissa paste based on your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 233 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 309 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
