Southwestern Leg of Lamb with Bacon-Corn Relish

Recipe courtesy of the Meat and Livestock Australia.

Recipe Ingredients:

Spice Blend:
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 (4 1/2-pound) leg of lamb

Bacon-Corn Relish:
16 slices bacon
4 cups frozen corn, thawed
3 large onions, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Juice of 2 limes

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. For Spice Blend: Combine the cumin, coriander, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne and salt. Rub 4 tablespoons of spice mixture over leg. Reserve the remaining spice mixture. (Lamb can be rubbed up to 1 day in advance.)
3. Tie leg with butcher's string. Place leg on a rack in oven and reduce temperature to 400°F (205°C), roast for about 1 1/4 hours, to an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
4. For Bacon-Corn Relish: Cook bacon until crispy, reserve the fat. When cool, crumble bacon.
5. In a sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon bacon fat and add corn, onion, garlic and remaining spice mixture to taste.
6. Cook for about 7 minutes until corn, onion and garlic are cooked and corn is starting to brown. Stir in crumbled bacon.
7. Just before serving, stir in lime juice.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the Meat and Livestock Australia.