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Hickory-Smoked Leg of Lamb with Basil/Mint Pesto

Janet Perry, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Serves 8

This recipe highlights the savory taste of raspberry vinegar as a basting liquid. Lamb is a naturally succulent meat, and here it is grilled slowly over charcoal. During the last half hour of cooking, hickory chips are added to the coals for subtle flavor. You may prepare the pesto as long as a week in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator.

1 cup firmly packed basil leaves
1/2 cup firmly packed mint leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup shelled walnuts
Leg of lamb, about 5 pounds

Soak two hickory chips in water for 24 hours.

Combine the basil, mint, and garlic in a food processor or blender and process to form a thick paste. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil. Pulsing on and off, add and process the walnuts.

About 3/4 hour before you’re ready to grill, build a charcoal fire in a covered kettle-style grill. When the coals are white but still glowing, spread them out with a heatproof tool. Adjust the vents on both the cover and under the grill to maintain a very slow fire.

While the grill is heating, trim away as much fat from the leg of lamb as possible. Rub the pesto all over the leg. Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the leg.

Place the leg of lamb in a disposable aluminum pan and set it on top of the grill grate. Pour about 1 inch of raspberry vinegar into the pan. Keep the grill cover on except to baste the lamb occasionally with the pan juices. Add more vinegar as needed to keep the lamb from drying out. Allow about 11/2 hours of cooking time for rare meat (140°F), but judge doneness with the meat thermometer. Add the hickory chips to the coals during the last 1/2 hour of cooking. Let the meat stand about 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve with mint or currant jelly.

Herb Scones

Carol Daggett, Wyoming, Michigan
Makes 16 scones

For a midmorning snack, try these scones flavored with a sprightly combination of fresh basil, chives, garlic, and optional fennel seed, or substitute your own favorite herbs.