Greek roast lamb

Greek roast lamb

If Spring is in the air you don't want to be slaving over a hot oven, so make the most of seasonal lamb the easy way with this lazy roast

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 45 mins

Method

  1. Heat oven to 240C/fan 220C/gas 9. Pound the garlic, half the oregano, lemon zest and a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar, then add the lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Stab the lamb all over with a sharp knife, then push as much of the herb paste as you can into the holes.
  2. Tip the potatoes into a large roasting tin, then toss in the remaining olive oil and any remaining herb paste. Nestle the lamb amongst the potatoes, roast for 20 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Roast for 1 hr 15 mins for medium-rare, adding another 15 mins if you prefer your lamb medium. Baste the lamb once or twice with the juices and toss the potatoes. When the lamb is done to your liking, remove from the tin and let it rest. Throw the rest of the oregano in with the potatoes, scoop from the tin and keep warm.
  3. Place the roasting tin over a medium flame, add the canned tomatoes and olives to the pan juices, then simmer for a few mins. Serve the lamb with the potatoes and sauce and a simple salad.
Try

Simple cos salad

Mix 100ml olive oil with 2 tbsp white wine vinegar. Finely shred 2 cos lettuces, finely slice 6 spring onions and crumble over 100g feta cheese. Toss everything together just before serving.

Per serving

685 kcalories, protein 59g, carbohydrate 32g, fat 36 g, saturated fat 14g, fibre 3g, sugar 4g, salt 0.54 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, May 2008.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • 16 April 2008

    elaine commented on this recipe

    This was very easy to make and it turned out to be excellent. Instead of stabbing the lamb I cut slits and filled with rosemary instead of oregano. I skipped basting and I served with potatoes and mushrooms. Good enough for a special dinner!

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  • 16 April 2008

    elaine rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo Val

    07 May 2008

    Val rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This went down a treat at a luncheon to celebrate two birthdays in the family - cooked two legs at once. Fantastically easy dish and absolutely delicious. Made it with a mixture of fresh rosemary plus dried oregano as I could not find fresh oregano - yummy!

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  • 02 June 2008

    bc500 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I couldn't find fresh oregano either, but it was fab with dried. It smelt and tasted delicious and was really easy to do with it all in one roasting tin. I used charlotte potatoes which were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Delicious!

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  • 24 June 2008

    Carmen Spencer rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Absolutely beautiful. I just finished eating this, great recipe. I used a mix of greek spices for lamb that I picked up on my holidays in crete last week, instead of the herb paste. Also, i like my roasts basted in wine, but I had none in the house. Instead I used buckfast (tonic wine made by monks and favoured by winos - dont ask) and it gave it a really wonderful flavour, slightly sweet but offset by the spices in the lamb. If you cant get buckfast or cant bring yourself to buy it in the supermarket, try another sweet, fortified wine.

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  • 03 July 2008

    jowillmott rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Really easy to make. I also couldn't find Oregano and ended up using lemon thyme as I was adding lemon anyway this was a nice taste. Such a simple tomato and olive sauce too - a great touch. Served with new potatos and roasted vegetables.

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  • 09 July 2008

    suzzlebell commented on this recipe

    I cooked this for my boyfreind who is Greek, he loved it! Although he said he'd never had lamb cooked like that back home.

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  • 22 July 2008

    Wendy1970 commented on this recipe

    Perfect roast lamb! Fantastic flavour. Meat was incredibly tender. I needed to start this early for a dinner party and after an hour at 180C I turned it right down to 130C for about 3 hours. Nothing was spoiled and the potatoes took on all the gorgeous caramelised meat juices. Stunning dish would do it again and recommend to friends. I served it with a cos, spring onion and feta salad dressed with cider vinegar and olive oil (as recommended in the Good Food magazine) I think this refreshing side dish works a treat.

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  • 22 July 2008

    Wendy1970 rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 03 August 2008

    kriek rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 06 August 2008

    WillCaxton rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 21 October 2008

    Barney commented on this recipe

    This is one of my favourite lamb recipes, it also works well with shoulder of lamb or if you add a splash of white wine and the tomatoes before they go in the oven then it make a perfect base for braised shanks. Thanks for all the feedback Bx

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  • 06 March 2009

    Middle Donalnd rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    I like the tomato and olive sauce best! It's easy to cook but perhaps I have over cooked the lamb somehow - I like it medium rare, so it didn't turn out as I expected. I used half a joint but still had to make the full portion for the lemon paste. Will do it again for sure.

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  • 31 March 2009

    jojos food commented on this recipe

    made this for all the family and they loved it, especially the children.Made it again and added peppers and red onion to the pan half way through for a one pot meal, really simple and delicious

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  • 16 April 2009

    NLWILLIAMSON rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This was fab. Used rosemary instead of oregano. Beautiful fresh taste and have already been asked for the recipe. Will definitely use again.

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  • 12 May 2009

    Tim Stokes commented on this recipe

    I agree that this works equally well with fresh rosemary.

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  • 22 August 2009

    JeanieH rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Not being a lover of lamb, I was impressed with this recipe as I enjoyed it and it was a nice change for a Sunday roast. I couldn't find fresh oregano either but the dried variety worked just as well. I did have to cook it quite a bit longer than it stated though.

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  • 07 September 2009

    SussexGirl rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this yesterday for Sunday lunch and it got a huge thumbs up from everyone - even the sauce which a couple of my guests weren't too sure about before trying, but had more once they'd tried it. Served it with Gigantes Plaki and a mixed salad.

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  • 20 September 2009

    joanneeland rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Seriously good lamb and very easy to make. Everyone commented on the flavour and had seconds. I served with cous cous and the spicy butter bean bake on this website. Will make again, going to have leftovers tomorrow in pitta with spicy mayo.

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  • 23 September 2009

    huskymoma rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    MMMMmm only one problem with this recipe the garlic breath the next day!! great food easy to cook and the potatoes and tomatoe are just to die for we made up a small amount of gravy with the meat juices which complimented the meal perfectly

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 8

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 mins

Cook time

Cook 1 hr 45 mins

Ingredients

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Per serving

685 kcalories, protein 59g, carbohydrate 32g, fat 36 g, saturated fat 14g, fibre 3g, sugar 4g, salt 0.54 g

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