Description
A flavorful roast lamb shoulder stuffed with a spicy harissa and soft dried apricot mixture, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. This dish is roasted to perfection, with excellent tenderness and rich seasoning, ideal for a cozy and elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lamb and Stuffing
- 500 g (1.1 lb) rolled lamb shoulder
- 1 small handful of soft dried apricots, diced
- 2 tbsp harissa paste, divided
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to fan-assisted 190°C / 200°C / 400°F / gas mark 6 to ensure it is at the right temperature for searing the lamb.
- Prepare the Stuffing: Mix 1 teaspoon of harissa paste with the diced soft dried apricots thoroughly to create a spicy, fruity stuffing mixture.
- Stuff the Lamb: Carefully stuff the lamb shoulder with the harissa-apricot mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed inside for maximum flavor infusion.
- Season and Rub: Rub the remaining harissa paste evenly all over the outside of the lamb shoulder. Season generously with salt to enhance the flavors.
- Initial Roasting: Place the lamb shoulder in a baking tray and roast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to start the cooking process and develop a crust.
- Reduce Temperature and Continue Roasting: Lower the oven temperature to fan-assisted 140°C / 160°C / 325°F / gas mark 3, then continue roasting the lamb for 15 minutes per 500 g of meat. For the 500 g lamb, roast for an additional 15 minutes.
- Check Doneness: About 15 minutes before cooking time ends, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: 45°C for rare, 60°C for medium, and 70°C for well done. Roast longer if needed to reach your preferred doneness.
- Rest the Lamb: Remove the lamb from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender roast.
- Carve and Serve: After resting, carve the lamb shoulder and serve immediately to enjoy the delicious harissa apricot stuffing and perfectly roasted lamb.
Notes
- This recipe combines the bold heat of harissa with the sweet softness of dried apricots for a unique stuffing.
- Resting the meat after roasting is essential for juicy and tender results.
- Adjust cooking time based on the weight of the lamb shoulder if using more than 500g.
- Use a meat thermometer for best results to achieve your desired doneness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 233 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 309 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
