Ingredients

Method

For the marinade:
• 250 g Woolworths dried royal apricots, roughly chopped
• 2 x 140 g jars Woolworths apricot harissa
• ¼ cup white wine or white spirit vinegar
• 6 garlic cloves, grated
For the lamb:
• 2 kg free-range leg of lamb
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

Ingredients

1. To make the marinade, place the apricots in a bowl and pour in just enough boiling water to cover them. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, then add the harissa, vinegar and garlic and mix.

2. Score the lamb with a sharp knife, cutting into the meat so that the marinade penetrates. Season generously, then rub the marinade into the lamb, setting aside any leftover marinade. Marinate overnight, or for at least an hour.

3. Arrange sheets of baking paper onto your work surface, overlapping them to hold the lamb and its marinade.

4. Gently place the lamb onto the baking paper. Pour over the reserved marinade, then fold over the baking paper and secure with butcher’s twine. Add a second layer of baking paper if necessary. Set aside the lamb and preheat the oven to 160°C.

5. Place the lamb on a roasting tray and roast for 3 hours. Remove from the oven and allow to rest in the paper for 1 hour.

6. Remove the string and paper. The lamb will be extremely tender and easily pulled apart, even using a spoon.

Cook's note: Don’t skip resting the lamb before serving it. This is just as important as roasting, as it allows all the juices to redistribute in the meat instead of running out onto your carving board.

HAVE LEFTOVERS? Make thick-crust lamb pizza. Find the recipe here. 

Find more Christmas recipes

Photographs: Jan Ras
Production: Abigail Donnelly and Clement Pedro
Food assistant: Ellah Maepa