Spanish Roast Lamb (Cordero Asado or Lechazo)
Tender lamb, called "lechazo", is a favorite of the region of Castilla-Leon. It is roasted until it is so tender on the inside that it falls off the bone.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 10 persons
Ingredients
- ½suckling lamb approximately 9 to 11 lbs.
- 6oz. lard or vegetable shortening, (melted), substitute olive oil if desired
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Step 1
In a small saucepan, heat the lard or vegetable shortening until it melts. If you prefer, use a small bowl and heat in a microwave oven.Step 2
Heat oven to 400 F.Step 3
Trim excess fat off the lamb and discard.Step 4
Place lamb in the roasting pan or another oven-proof dish. (Traditionally, the Spanish use large, open clay dishes.) Rub the lamb with salt and baste with the melted lard.Step 5
Place in oven to roast. Occasionally baste with lard and turn until lamb is golden brown on the outside and meat is tender.Step 6
Roast potatoes are a great accompaniment to this dish. To roast potatoes, peel 8-10 small potatoes and cut in half. Place in the roasting pan around the lamb. Baste with lard when you baste the lamb. The amount of time that the lamb spends in the oven will depend on how thick the piece(s) of meat are. A good rule of thumb for a bone-in leg of lamb at 400 F is to allow about 30 minutes roasting time per pound of lamb.