fancy doing roast lamb

[GINGER BIRD]

hello i have never cooked roast lamb before and was wondering which was the best cut to use and what heat and etc etc as planning to make a special meal i would like it medium rare and pink in the middle please if anyone can help i would really appreciate it. thanks in anticipation x

[nickmo]

Probably best link to recommend for a read before you buy an unsuitable cut is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/get_cooking/cooks_gu ide/lamb.shtml

Also, treat it simply - don't get all cheffy and try over-complicated recipes - and definitely go for the best quality meat you can afford - go to a butcher for advice, they will enjoy you asking for ideas, or to your local farmers' market, and definitely not the meat counter in a supermarket - some of their produce may be satisfactory, but there are better sources.

Best advice re the cooking is to let the meat stand before carving - you should always do this in any case as it lets the juices settle and the flavour will be a lot better.

You can get a gravy ready while the meat is standing, and prep up the veg without getting all flustered about timings - nice new potatoes and sugar snap peas, or oven roast some fresh carrots in orange juice and a little honey (takes 30 mins in a casserole dish) is a nice addition.

Hope this helps..and bon appetit!

[Goodsoulette]

I personally, really like shoulder, prick it with garlic and rosemary, its lovely.

Lamb is well nice with dauphinoise potatoes.

[Skreecheeboy]

May I suggest a Macsween's Haggis? Very easy to cook, instructions on the label, serve with boilt neeps and champitt tatties. Can't beat it for nutritional content as it contains all the animal's vital organs, which if you've ever watched a wildlife programme you would know, are the best bits and are the bits that the predator eats first when consuming it's kill. Yum!