Chef John's Roasted Leg of Lamb

Ingredients

• 0.25 cups pomegranate molasses
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 , 5 pound
• kitchen twine
• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses , or as needed

Instructions

1. 1

   Stir together 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses, garlic, rosemary, salt, black pepper, Aleppo pepper, mint, and cumin in a bowl until combined. Set aside.

2. 2

   Lay lamb, fatty-side up, on a work surface. Cut 2 deep slashes in each fleshy end. Flip lamb and cut 10 to 20 shallow slashes across the surface of the fat.

3. 3

   Spread 3/4 of the pomegranate molasses mixture over the flesh-side of lamb. Fold meat together and place into a large bowl. Spread remaining pomegranate molasses mixture over the fatty-side of lamb. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a roasting rack in the bottom of a roasting pan.

5. 5

   Remove lamb from marinade and discard excess marinade. Place lamb, fatty-side up, on a work surface. Tie the center section of lamb with kitchen twine to cinch roast together. Repeat ties four times along the length of roast.

6. 6

   Season lamb with salt and place on the roasting rack in the prepared pan. Pour water below the rack to cover the bottom of the pan.

7. 7

   Roast in the preheated oven until hot and slightly pink in the center, about 1 hour 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 135 degrees F (57 degrees C). Rest lamb for 15 minutes, then transfer to a plate and brush with remaining 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses.