A beautifully bronzed, juicy lamb roast sits center on a simple white platter. It is generously dusted with a bright, green gremolata, and surrounded by glistening slices of pink pomelo, punctuated by an assortment of seared, jewel-toned root vegetables that lend a warm and rustic feel. The image captures the essence of a cozy winter meal with an unexpected twist.

Roasted Lamb with Spicy Pomelo-Cilantro Gremolata

Name: Roasted Lamb with Spicy Pomelo-Cilantro Gremolata
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 large pomelo, 1 large none; small boneless leg of lamb, approx. 2 lbs. none; ras el hanout (Moroccan spice blend), 2 tbsp none; bunch of cilantro, 1 bunch none; medium onion, 1 medium chopped; cloves of garlic, 3 cloves minced; medium root vegetables (like carrots, turnips, beets), 4 medium chopped; honey, 1 tbsp none; olive oil, 2 tbsp none; salt, 1 tsp none; fresh ground pepper, 1/2 tsp none

Category Main Course

Prep 35 minutes

Cook 60 minutes

Style Middle Eastern

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Paleo

Daily Recipe: January 01, 2025

Embrace the winter chill with an entrancing main dish that marries the zest of Middle Eastern cooking with the refreshing tartness of pomelo. Our key ingredient, pomelo, is a winter citrus fruit, offering a tangy and vibrant burst of flavor, beautifully complementing the spice-forward profile of Middle Eastern cuisine while adding a surprising twist.

Ingredients (for 2)

1 large pomelo - 1 large - none
Small boneless leg of lamb - approx. 2 lbs. - none
Ras el hanout (moroccan spice blend) - 2 tbsp - none
Bunch of cilantro - 1 bunch - none
Medium onion - 1 medium - chopped
Cloves of garlic - 3 cloves - minced
Medium root vegetables (like carrots, turnips, beets) - 4 medium - chopped
Honey - 1 tbsp - none
Olive oil - 2 tbsp - none
Salt - 1 tsp - none
Fresh ground pepper - 1/2 tsp - none

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🌡️🎛️

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 2 - 🐑🧂🌶️

Rub the lamb with ras el hanout, salt, and pepper. Let it rest as you prepare the gremolata.
Step 3 - 🍈🌿🍯

Peel and segment half the pomelo, catching the juices. In a food processor, combine pomelo, juice, cilantro, garlic, honey, and half the olive oil to form a coarse paste.
Step 4 - 🥕🥔🌰

In a roasting pan, toss the chopped onion and root veggies with the remaining olive oil.
Step 5 - 🍳🐑🔥

Sear the lamb on all sides in a hot skillet, place it over the veggies in the pan, and evenly spread the gremolata over the lamb.
Step 6 - 🔥⏱️🍖

Roast in the oven for about an hour or until the lamb is cooked to your desired level.
Step 7 - ⏰🔪🍽️

Allow the lamb to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and the remaining pomelo segments, then serve immediately.

Additional

This dish is versatile and the gremolata can be used with other meats like beef, pork or chicken. For a vegetarian version, substitute lamb with a hearty winter squash. To get the kids involved, they can help mix the ingredients for the gremolata and vegetables.