Ultimate Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb: A Flavorful & Juicy Sunday Roast
Prepare to elevate your Sunday roast tradition with this incredibly succulent and deeply flavorful Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb. Imagine a roast lamb that is perfectly pink and tender on the inside, boasting a deliciously crisp, char-grilled exterior. This isn’t just any roast; it’s a masterpiece infused with a rich, aromatic paste made from vibrant sundried tomatoes and pungent garlic. A true star among our favorite Sunday roasts, it pairs exquisitely with a side of garlicky herb red potato salad, creating a meal that’s both comforting and undeniably elegant.
For too long, this exceptional recipe has been a hidden gem, tucked away when it truly deserves the spotlight. It’s time to share the secret to this sensational dish, a recipe so simple yet so profoundly delicious, you’ll wonder how you ever hosted a Sunday dinner without it. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about creating an experience, a memory, and a meal that will leave your guests utterly impressed.
Why This Sundried Tomato & Garlic Roast Lamb Is a Must-Try
What sets this roast lamb apart is the incredible depth of flavor achieved with minimal effort. The secret lies in the vibrant, aromatic paste that coats every inch of the meat. Sundried tomatoes, with their concentrated sweetness and umami, perfectly complement the sharp, pungent kick of fresh garlic. When these two powerhouse ingredients are blended, they create a rich, savory rub that penetrates the lamb, ensuring every bite is bursting with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.
This dish isn’t just delicious; it’s a celebration of simple, quality ingredients brought together to create something truly extraordinary. It transforms a humble leg of lamb into a show-stopping center-piece, ideal for family gatherings, holiday feasts, or simply making a regular Sunday feel special. The process is straightforward, yet the results are gourmet – a tender, juicy interior with that irresistible char-grilled finish that adds texture and another layer of flavor.
The Magic of the Sundried Tomato and Garlic Paste
The heart and soul of this roast lamb recipe is undoubtedly the sundried tomato and garlic paste. This blend creates a flavor combination that is nothing short of magical. Sundried tomatoes bring a sweet, tangy intensity, a concentrated burst of Mediterranean sunshine that regular tomatoes simply can’t match. Paired with fresh garlic, known for its bold aroma and savory depth, these two ingredients form an incredibly rich and balanced flavor profile that beautifully complements the natural taste of lamb.
Making this incredible paste couldn’t be easier. Just combine the sundried tomatoes (preferably those packed in oil, which add moisture and flavor) with several cloves of garlic in a small food processor or even a bullet blender, like my trusty Magic Bullet. In mere seconds, you’ll have a smooth, aromatic paste ready to transform your roast. The ease of preparation means you can achieve gourmet flavors without the fuss, making it perfect for busy home cooks who still want to deliver spectacular meals.
Preparing Your Perfect Roast Lamb
Once your flavorful sundried tomato and garlic paste is ready, the real magic begins. The key to a truly exceptional roast lamb lies in generously rubbing this rich paste all over the meat. Don’t be shy; ensure every crevice is coated, allowing the flavors to deeply infuse. To further enhance the aromatic penetration, create small, shallow slits across the lamb roast. These tiny pockets are not only perfect for stuffing with extra slivers of fresh garlic but also serve as channels for the sundried tomato paste to seep into the meat, ensuring a flavorful experience from the first bite to the last.
Roasting lamb to perfection involves a two-stage cooking process. Initially, the lamb is roasted covered in a preheated oven. This crucial step helps to tenderize the meat, locking in moisture and ensuring that the interior cooks evenly to your desired doneness, whether you prefer it medium-rare and beautifully pink or slightly more cooked through. Once the internal temperature is nearing completion, the foil is removed, and the oven settings are adjusted to grill or broil. This final stage is what creates that irresistible golden-brown, slightly char-grilled crust on the outside, providing a delightful textural contrast to the tender lamb within. Remember to rotate the lamb to achieve an even crispness on all sides.
The Art of Resting and Serving
Once your lamb emerges from the oven, glistening and perfectly cooked, the hardest part is waiting. However, allowing the roast to rest for a good 5-10 minutes (or even up to 15 minutes for larger cuts) is absolutely crucial. This resting period allows the juices within the meat to redistribute, resulting in a significantly juicier and more tender slice. Skipping this step means all those delicious juices will spill out onto your cutting board, leaving you with dry lamb.
After resting, carve the lamb against the grain into beautiful, thick slices. As you do, collect the flavorful pan juices from the roasting tray. These golden, savory drippings are liquid gold – a concentrated essence of all the delicious flavors that have rendered from the lamb and the sundried tomato and garlic paste. Pour these exquisite juices over the sliced lamb just before serving. This not only adds an extra layer of moisture and richness but also enhances the overall presentation and aroma. Is your mouth watering yet? It should be!
A Welcoming Sunday Feast
This Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb is more than just a meal; it’s an invitation to gather, to share, and to savor. Welcome this delightful tradition into your home on a Sunday, or any day you desire a touch of culinary excellence. The enticing aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, promising a feast for the senses.
Just look at it. The vibrant color of the lamb, the glistening pan juices, the subtle char on the edges – have you ever seen something so perfect? Each slice reveals that beautiful pink interior, a testament to proper cooking and care. This dish is designed to impress, yet it remains approachable and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that fosters conversation, laughter, and a profound sense of contentment around the dinner table.
Every element of this roast lamb is crafted for perfection, from the initial rub to the final pour of the pan juices. The exquisite balance of savory lamb, sweet sundried tomatoes, and pungent garlic creates a memorable flavor profile that will have everyone asking for seconds. It truly is a dish that showcases the beauty of simple ingredients coming together in harmony.
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Sundried Tomato and Garlic Roast Lamb
Ingredients
- 2 lb leg of lamb bone in or out
- 1/2 cup Sundried tomatoes in oil
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt plus 1 extra for sprinkling
- 1 sprig fresh thyme to garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 220℃ | 430℉. Combine the sundried tomatoes in their oil with 4 garlic cloves in a bullet blender or food processor. Process until smooth and a paste has formed. Add the salt (it will be salty but is needed to roast the lamb).
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Place the lamb into a roasting tray; rub the mixture all over the lamb to evenly coat. Slice about 6 shallow openings (or slits) around the lamb (top and bottom of the roast) and rub the tomato mix into the slits. Slice the remaining clove of garlic into thin slices and place one or two slices into each opening. Sprinkle with a little extra salt (optional).
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Cover tray with foil and place onto the middle rack of your oven to bake for 40 minutes (for medium rare – or leave longer until cooked to your liking). Remove tray from oven; uncover; place lamb back in your oven onto the middle rack; change oven settings to grill/broil on high heat and grill for a further 5-10 minutes, or until golden, char grilled crispy on top. Rotate lamb to grill for a further 5-10 minutes to crisp the underside.
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Remove from oven and allow to rest for a good 5-10 minutes. Pour the juices from the pan into a serving jug and pour the juices over the lamb to serve.
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Serve with garlicky potato salad!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.