Tasty. Easy. Healthy.

By Chef Domenica Catelli

It’s almost Easter Sunday. Growing up in an Italian American family, we had our Easter meal traditions. There may have been a variety of side dishes depending on the weather or what month Easter fell on in a given year, but there was one entree for certain: lamb. Usually we made a boneless leg of lamb, roasted with garlic and rosemary. Some years we varied it with rack or chops.

Some people, however, tend to hesitate when I suggest lamb for dinner. Many had bad childhood experiences with a strong, muttony, overcooked piece of meat that set the tone for the upcoming decades.

I remember one Easter dinner in particular when dear family friends joined us for a meal. They are a brother and sister in their fifties and had bonded over their dislike of lamb since they were kids, so they hated this entrée for most of their life. When I put the lamb on the table and persuaded Sugar (that’s the sister’s name) to give it a try, her brother Bill felt like she had betrayed him.  He stayed firm in his 40+-year belief that he didn’t like lamb. Sugar, throwing caution to the wind, faced her food fear and LOVED it!

Give this simple recipe a try and see if you can create some “Sugars” around your Easter table.

Roasted Rosemary Leg of Lamb

2.5-3 pounds boneless leg of lamb

6-8 fresh garlic cloves

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

¼ cup minced fresh rosemary

Cracked black pepper

Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

If lamb is rolled or in a roast net, take out.

Mix herbs, oil, salt and pepper together.

Rub both sides of meat generously with mix while reserving 1 tablespoon.

Place lamb in a baking dish.

When oven is to temperature add lamb and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until it turns a nice golden color.

Cover loosely with foil and continue to cook for another 10-20 minutes depending on thickness of lamb and how you like your meat cooked. I prefer medium rare for taste and texture. Try to avoid well done because the meat will dry out and take on a much stronger taste.

Remove from oven and let meat rest for about 5 minutes. Slice thin, drizzle with the remaining herb and oil mix, and serve.

Makes great lamb sandwiches for leftovers as well.