- 4 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 4 teaspoons coarse kosher salt plus additional for sprinkling
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel
- 1/2 cup olive oil, divided, plus additional for brushing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 7- to 8-pound bone-in whole leg of lamb, large pockets of fat trimmed
- 8 6- to 7-ounce Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise
- Special equipment: Large roasting pan (preferably nonstick)
- Pound garlic and 4 teaspoons coarse salt in mortar with pestle until paste forms. Add 1/4 cup rosemary leaves and lemon peel. Pound 1 minute. Stir 1/4 cup oil, lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons pepper into rosemary paste.
- Place lamb, fat side up, on work surface. Cut shallow slits in fat about 1/2 inch apart. Spread 5 tablespoons rosemary paste over lamb, working into slits. Turn lamb over; repeat, cutting slits and spreading with remaining paste. Wrap lamb in plastic. Place in roasting pan; chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove lamb from pan; brush pan with oil. Remove plastic wrap from lamb; return to roasting pan, fat side up. Roast lamb 15 minutes.
- Place potatoes in large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil and 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Arrange potatoes, cut side down, in roasting pan around lamb. Roast 40 minutes. Using spatula, carefully turn potatoes over; brush with pan drippings. Roast until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes longer. Transfer potatoes to platter. Continue to roast lamb until instant-read thermometer registers 130°F to 135°F when inserted into thickest part, about 15 to 30 minutes longer, depending on thickness. Transfer lamb to platter; let rest 20 minutes. While lamb rests, return potatoes to pan; warm in oven 10 minutes to heat through.
- Arrange potatoes and lamb on platter.
- The 2006 Bonny Doon Ca' del Solo ($13, California), a fruit-forward Sangiovese, would be great with the lamb.