Description

• 3/4 cup Nicoise olives, pitted
• 3/4 cup whole almonds
• 6 anchovy fillets
• 3 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 1 head garlic, cloves separated
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 butterflied leg of lamb (5 to 6 pounds), trimmed of excess fat
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, preferably homemade
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make tapenade: In a food processor, combine olives, almonds, anchovies, capers, 3 garlic cloves and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Process to form a smooth paste, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, about 2 minutes.

• Step 2

  Season both sides of lamb generously with salt and pepper. Lay meat on a clean work surface, skin side down. Spread tapenade over the top. Starting with one short end, roll up lamb in the shape of a football; secure with twine.

• Step 3

  Place the flour on a plate; season with salt and pepper. Place eggs and breadcrumbs separately on two plates. Dredge lamb first in flour, then dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Dredge in breadcrumbs.

• Step 4

  Place lamb in a small roasting pan, and surround with remaining garlic cloves, 1/2 cup white wine, and 1/2 cup chicken stock. Drizzle remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil directly over lamb.

• Step 5

  Roast in oven until the internal temperature of the lamb reaches 130 degrees on a meat thermometer for medium-rare, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. If roasting pan becomes too dry, add up to 1/2 cup chicken stock as needed to keep garlic from burning.

• Step 6

  Transfer lamb to a cutting board, and remove and discard twine; let lamb rest 10 minutes before slicing. Set garlic aside, and pour pan juices from roasting pan into a small bowl, skimming off fat that rises to the top.

• Step 7

  Make sauce: Place roasting pan over medium heat. Return skimmed cooking juices to pan, and add remaining 1/2 cup wine and 1/2 cup chicken stock. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan as the sauce gently boils. Pass sauce and garlic through a fine sieve into a small saucepan, pressing with the spoon to extract as much garlic as possible.

• Step 8

  Bring liquid to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer gently, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot with sliced lamb roast.