Tarragon Lamb Roast

This tarragon-flavored lamb dish is marinated in white wine and served with a creamy sauce.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 pounds lamb shoulder or leg of lamb roast
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced
1 1/4 cups white wine
2/3 cup whipping cream

Cooking Directions:

1. Skin lamb and trim away as much fat as possible. Score the flesh deeply with a criss-cross pattern and fill the slits with tarragon and season with salt and pepper. Place meat in a baking dish and rub with oil and sprinkle with onion. Pour white wine on top and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours, basting occasionally.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Roast lamb with marinade, basting frequently for 1 hour, or until meat is cooked to about 5°F below desired doneness*. Remove lamb to a platter and cover loosely with foil to hold warm and finish cooking.
3. Pour marinade and cooking juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce liquid by about half, remove from heat and stir in whipping cream. Return to heat and keep warm over low heat; do not boil.
4. Carve meat as desired and serve with warm sauce.

Makes 8 servings.

*Cooking temperatures for lamb: rare 140°F (60°C); medium 160°F (70°C); well 170°F (75°C).