Grass-Fed Leg of Lamb

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Lamb:

• 4 1/2-5 1/2       pounds Atkins Ranch grass-fed leg of lamb, at room temperature
• 1 3/4    ounces butter, softened
• 3          cloves garlic, crushed
• 1          teaspoon roughly chopped thyme leaves
• salt, to taste
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 1-2       handfuls thyme sprigs
• 1          onion, sliced
• 1/2       cup olive oil

Meat Sauce:

• 1          cup beef stock
• 3/4       cup creme fraiche or sour cream
• lemon zest, finely grated
• 1          tablespoon wine vinegar
• 1          bay leaf
• salt, to taste
• sauteed mushrooms (optional)
• sauteed green beans (optional)
• steamed carrots and snap peas (optional)

1. Heat oven to 320° F.
2. To prepare lamb: Using sharp knife, make 4-5 shallow slits in lamb. In bowl, mix butter, garlic and chopped thyme. Coat butter mixture in slits and sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Place thyme sprigs and sliced onion in base of roasting tin and place lamb on top. Drizzle olive oil over lamb. Roast 2 hours, 45 minutes.
4. To make meat sauce: Remove lamb from oven 30 minutes before end of cooking time. Place lamb on board then tip juices into saucepan. Place lamb back in roasting tin and return to oven.
5. Skim fat off roasting juices. Add beef stock to remaining juices and bring to boil.
6. Reduce heat and add creme fraiche or sour cream, lemon zest, vinegar and bay leaf. Simmer until sauce reduces some. Season with salt, to taste, to counteract acidity.
7. Remove lamb from oven and rest covered loosely with foil and tea towel 10 minutes before carving.
8. Strain sauce into bowl or gravy boat and serve hot with lamb and sauteed mushrooms, green beans or steamed carrots and snap peas, if desired.