
A vibrant and effortless all-in-one roast featuring succulent leg of lamb infused with a zesty herb and preserved lemon marinade. Served with crispy golden potatoes, salty crumbled feta, and a spicy harissa yogurt sauce, it's the ultimate centerpiece for a family gathering.
Remove the lamb from the refrigerator at least one hour before cooking to allow it to reach room temperature. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a diamond pattern (about 3cm wide), being careful not to cut into the meat.
Prepare the marinade: Cut the garlic bulb in half. Set one half aside. Peel the cloves from the other half and place them in a food processor or mortar and pestle. Add most of the mint, most of the parsley, the rosemary needles, lemon zest, preserved lemon, and a generous pinch of salt. Blitz or pound the mixture, gradually adding half of the olive oil until a coarse paste forms. Massage this marinade thoroughly into the scored cuts of the lamb. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas 6). Place the marinated lamb in a large roasting tin, ensuring there is enough extra space for potatoes later. Cover the tin tightly with foil and roast for 45 minutes.
While the lamb is roasting, place the halved potatoes in a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let them sit in the colander for 10 minutes to steam-dry; this ensures maximum crispiness.
Remove the lamb from the oven and temporarily transfer it to a cutting board. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the roasting tin. Add the parboiled potatoes, fresh lemon slices, and the remaining garlic bulb half (cut-side down). Toss everything in the lamb juices and oil to coat well, then place the lamb back on top of the potatoes.
Return the tin to the oven. Roast for another 35 minutes for medium (internal temperature of 55°C) or 50 minutes for well-done. Once cooked, move the lamb to a platter, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest. Meanwhile, toss the potatoes in the tin and return them to the oven for 20–25 minutes until they are golden and crisp. While the potatoes finish, stir the harissa paste into the Greek yogurt.
Roughly chop the remaining mint and parsley. Scatter the fresh herbs and crumbled feta over the crispy potatoes. Carve the lamb and stir any resting juices into the harissa yogurt. Serve the lamb and potatoes with a side of steamed spring greens and the spiced yogurt sauce.
For the crispiest potatoes, ensure they are completely dry after parboiling before adding them to the roasting tin. If you don't have preserved lemons, you can substitute with extra lemon zest and a teaspoon of salt, though the flavor will be less complex. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the lamb is cooked perfectly to your preference.





