Barbecued Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Mint
1 Leg of lamb (5-6 lb)* Fresh mint sprigs (opt)
3/4 c Balsamic vinegar Salt
1/3 c Mint jelly Pepper
1/3 c Minced fresh mint leaves sm Pocket bread**
* - boned and trimmed of surface fat
** - or regular pocket bread, cut in half crosswise
1. Lay meat boned side up. Slash about halfway through thickest
portions, as needed, and pull meat, patting cut edges down, to
make the piece relatively even.
2. Place lamb in a 9x13" pan. In a 1 1/2 quart pan over medium-high heat,
stir vinegar with 1/3 cup mint jelly just until boiling. Stir in mint and
pour evenly over lamb. Cover and chill 2 hours or up to a day. Turn meat
over occasionally.
3. On firegrate in a barbecue, with a lid, ignite 50-60 charcoal briquets.
When briquets are dotted with ash, in about 30 minutes, spread them into a
single layer; scatter 10-12 more briquets over coals. Set grill 5-6" above
coals. Lift meat onto grill; reserve marinade. Put lid on barbecue and open
vents.
4.Turn meat as needed to brown evenly; baste with marinade. Cook until
thickest part of meat is done to your liking; for rare (140' on a
thermometer) in center of thickest part, allow about 40 minutes total.
Thinner sections will be well done.
5. Transfer lamb to a platter and let rest 5-10 minutes. Garnish with mint
sprigs. Slice meat thin. Season to taste with mint jelly, salt, and pepper.
Eat with knife and fork or tuck into pocket bread.
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