Have you ever considered selling a body part for a piece of meat?
And no people, I do not mean it in the on-your-knees, spread-your-legs, bend-over kind of way. (Although doesn’t that description sound strikingly like a prostate exam? The inner workings of my subconscious astound me.)
No, no. What I’m talking about is. You walk into Whole Foods. See the price of the leg of lamb you are about to buy. And then tell the guy behind the counter that you’re pretty sure an even exchange is in order. One leg for another. He, of course, refuses because who knows what antibiotics or medications you’re on or whether you’ve been raised cage free or not, and are you even organic? And, well. The demand for an inorganic human leg of unknown origin or breeding is not so high. Especially at Whole Foods.
So you sigh. Tell him, FINE, you’ll take it anyway. And walk away with a piece of meat that should have cost you an arm and a leg but actually cost you around 30 bucks.
And then, because it seems truly unnecessary and uncalled for and probably is illegal in some states to eat a leg of lamb all by your lonesome, you invite one of your favorite blogger friends over, the lovely Victoria of Mission: Food.
This turns out to be especially fruitful because, well. I don’t know if you’ve ever roasted a leg of lamb before. But did you know there is an actual joint inside of it? One that looks shockingly exactly like one a human ball-and-socket joint? I had no idea. Someone should warn you about these things. The FDA. The USDA. Your local friendly Whole Foods guy who refused to accept your limb in exchange for this piece of meat. He really could have taken some pity on you.
So that’s what I’m doing now. Spreading the word. If you’re not prepared to deal with a real dead joint, then go for a boneless piece of meat. It might cost you the equivalent of two legs and an arm. But so be it.
So here’s what happened to me. I saw the joint. I might have shrieked. I might have hyperventilated. Victoria might have had to run and find me a paper bag to breath into so that I didn’t pass out, face down, into the eerily homo sapien-like structure. It’s hard to say as the entire memory is shrouded in one huge haze.
One would think that anatomy lab would prepare you for these kinds of things. But it doesn’t. It really doesn’t.
Thankfully at some point I managed to pull myself together. And so what I can remember is just how beautifully this meat was cooked. It was juicy and tender and oh so flavorful. And it just happened to pair wonderfully with the pomegranate tabbouleh, which is kind of like regular tabbouleh but with a tart sweet twist. The only sad part of all this is that I only have one more meal of leftovers to eat and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with myself from here on out.
In fact, next time I’m buying two legs of lamb. Even if it costs me an arm, a leg, and a kidney.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
Serves 8, adapted from Symon’s Live To Cook
6 shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp coriander
1 1/2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp red chile flakes
1 (6 lb) leg of lamb (bone-in)
1. In a large bowl, mix together the shallots, garlic, rosemary, sugar, coriander, salt, and red pepper flakes. Rub onto the surface of the lamb. Set the lamb in a large glass baking dish and refrigerate over night, covered in plastic wrap.
2. Preheat the oven to 375. Remove the lamb from the fridge and rinse it off. Pat it dry. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the lamb on both sides.
3. Set the lamb in a roasting pan and roast, fat side up, until it reaches an internal temperature of 140-150 degrees, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a platter and let sit for 20 minutes before cutting.
Tzatziki
Makes about 2 cups, adapted from Symon’s Live to Cook
2 cups Greek yogurt
juice of 2 lemons
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced shallots
Stir together all the ingredients in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
Pomegranate Tabbouleh Salad
Serves 4-6, adapted from Closet Cooking
2 cups water
1 cup bulgur
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup mint, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 cup cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup feta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon jucie
1 1/2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1. Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the bulgur. Cover and turn off heat. Let sit for 20 minutes.
2. Toss the bulgur with the parsley, mint, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, almonds, pomegranate seeds, and feta.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together the olive oil through mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the bulgur mixture until it is coated.
I am submitting this to Weekend Herb Blogging, which is being hosted by Winnie of Healthy Green Kitchen.
What a beautiful Middle Eastern/Greek meal! The lamb looks so gorgeous and the tabbouleh is so colorful and delicious looking.
I have no idea how you find time to make elaborate meals like this, much less blog about them! Are you REALLY in med school?? 🙂 It looks awesome! I’m not wild for pomegranate, but I would totally use dried cranberries or something. The roasted lamb recipe looks so delicious and simple- you just don’t mess with a classic! It’s a Symon, I should have known 🙂
That is GORGEOUS! Cooked perfectly and love the flavors surrounding it. I’ve been toying with cooking a leg of lamb lately…and it’s gonna happen sooner rather than later for sure.
Oh try as I may, I just don’t like Lamb. It is pretty easy to cook looks phenomenal as a dish for your guests but I just don’t like it! What’s wrong with me. Maybe I should try yours and it will turn me around???? XO
That is gorgeous! What fun you guys must have had. I’ve never bought lamb so thank you for the tips. Nice to be warned about that joint and the no exchange policy!
Cannibalism and barter system were no longer in fashion I thought. Are you trying to buck the trend and add more variety to your local wholefood store?
This is a beautiful dish you made Joanne. I think pomegranate gives a special flavor to it!
This looks amazing!! I’m Greek so we’re no strangers to lamb…this will be an awesome new twist!
The entire meal from start to finish is amazing. Give me a leg of lamb and tzatziki and I am in heaven X5.
You are such a masted in the kitchen! I’ve never cooked a leg of lamb before but I would definitely flip out a the sight of an unexpected joint.
I love every single thing about this. Everything.
I have to admit,I’ve never actually considered the barter and as a med student I can imagine you examing the bone structure differently than the average cook. Having said that, all three parts of your meal look awesome but I don’t know how you find time to cook, run, etc, and be a med student. I last leg of lamb I cooked was on the smoker which is pretty darned good.
Do you realize that I now want lamb at 9 in the morning?!?! The tabouleh looks faaabulous too!!!
I would like that tabbouleh, please 🙂 It looks perfect.
And I’ve never bought lamb. Ever. Might not ever, unless my husband and I both get new, higher paying jobs 😉
I am totally in love with your colourful pomegranate tabbouleh! (and so happy to be vegetarian, not to have to deal with lamb joints!!)
mmmmm, this looks sooo good. Except for the lamb. I just can’t eat it. And given the price and whole dead joint thing, maybe that’s a good thing! But I’m really wanting to try that salad!!
What a meal!!!!
lamb can be pretty expensive here too. That’s why every mouthful is to be appreciated!
Thats a great combination!
Ah, Joanne…what can I say? I am not a lamb gal. I’ve tried it a few times and I just can’t get past the gaminess of it. Tack on the expense and the joint issue, and well…tough sell. However, I will take a serving of that Tzatziki and Pomegranate Tabbouleh! Maybe over pork. I do love the pig. Those pictures are outstanding!
What a beautiful dish! The pomegranate tabbouleh looks so fresh and colorful and the lamb so juicy. Lamb can be really expensive or we’ll have it on the table more often…sigh!
JoAnne, this is amazing. I just love the flavors in this dish, so crative! I have been trying to talk myself into buying a leg of lamb and you’ve def made my mind up. Thanks for the heads up about the joint, eeek!
btw, frieking hilarious about the demand for unknown/unorganic human body parts! LMAO
My butchery chef instructor in culinary school was an ex surgeon! He said his medical background actually made him a lot better at his job. I think thats so cool. Wow, vegans are already sending me hate mail!
Oh my that lamb looks delicious! I love tatziki sauce!
That is a beautiful dish! I’m glad you didn’t actually give up a limb for it 🙂
Okay, I was actually thinking about skipping this one based solely on price of lamb (and also the price of gas and so on) BUT you have made it look so succulent, delicious, and irresistible and now I simply must have it. I see myself stuffing this into some pita bread with the tzatziki – awesome!
That leg of lamb looks scrumptious. And I think it’s hilarious that you freaked out over the joint, you med school student, you. =)
It’s been forever since I made lamb, but it’s been a smash hit with my husband every time so I should put it on the menu soon. And then eat and swallow the receipt so that it doesn’t destroy our grocery budget for the month.
“Receipt for the lamb? What lamb? What receipt?”
I am very curious as to which body part you are selling that would lead to an image of being on your knees with your legs spread. I tend to think of most of the wanted body parts requiring a supine position on your stomach or back.
another great recipe! the tabbouleh sounds amazing.
Danielle
It all looks really good. Pomegranate Tabbouleh Salad is so colorful
Gorgeous is the word for it all. It sounds delicious and your pics are magnificent!
Oh my gosh. I wish I lived close enough to be invited over for dinner too. 🙂 This is just stunning. The lamb is so perfectly cooked and that pomegranate tabbouleh just looks so vibrant and flavorful. I need an occasion to make this!
Bahahah you are hilarious! Love your whole foods saga.
And that lamb looks bombbbb! I have been wanting to make lamb for a year and a half now and just havent gotten around to it. Maybe one day!
So, I am not a fan of lamb but you made me want to give it another try.
The tabbouleh salad is SCREAMING my name. I love the flavors, textures, and colors. YUM!
Wait a minute! I thought I was your blogging friend but I wasn’t invited. I think a flight from Midway to Laguardia is well within the time of roasting a leg of lamb if you include the 10 to 15 minutes it needs to rest. I would have brought the wine, cleaned up the kitchen and stayed over for a lamb sandwich the next day–with a side of pomegranate tabbouleh of course.
Outrageous dish and presentation!
Best,
Bonnie
Um, yes, not sure I’m ready for a joint but the pom salad sounds fabulous.
Wait now that I just reread that it sounds kind of funny.
I’m not normally that keen on lamb but I’d happily eat this meal. It looks great.
Looks awesome, pomegranate tabbouleh salad is delicious and colorful
And why wasn’t I invited to enjoy this beauty of a dish. I may have just given you an arm and a leg for it…it looks amazingly delicious.
Holy effin moly, woman. I am preparing lamb in the near future as well, and am a little saddened that I am already committed to another recipe, because this looks ridiculously epic.
You are truly gifted in the kitchen. Thank you for stopping by and supporting Jo!
I had no idea about the joint. I definitely would’ve shrieked too. Thanks for spreading the word about joints and delicious lamb dishes! 🙂
the vividness of that first photo is stunning, darling! your photos are incredible!
xo Alison
Joanne, you never cease to amaze me. This looks spectacular as usual.
Very fancy and beautiful looking. I’ve never made anything like it – probably because I’m too cheap! 🙂
wow, you are so creative and adventurous! what a fun combination!
Lamb is really the only meat I love in the world. If allowed, I could live eat lamb everyday.
Wow! Gorgeous and impressive meal Joanne. You are so funny. I thought you were going to say you took out your microscope and started examining the joint…lol That would have freaked me out too. I always hate the raw meat part of making any meal:)
Joanne, your story about the bone in the lamb reminds me when I made the lamb tagine! Bones suck, even when you kind of know the (human) anatomy. 😛
With my weird meat issues, I’m pretty positive I couldn’t handle the cooking of lamb (although I highly enjoyed reading your amusing post about it) but the pomegranate tabbouleh sounds wonderful!
Everything sounds delicious today, but your photos are the star of the show. They are gorgeous. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings…Mary
Gorgeous mix of flavours and I could seriously eat pomegranate molasses with a spoon, that’s how much I love the stuff!
that tabbouleh is so interesting. i think the sweetness from the pomegranate seeds would really help me like tabbouleh more.
also, i have had several similar experiences while buying meat at whole foods. the good thing is that it forces us to eat less meat! bc who could afford eating it all the time? i have had “lamb greek feast” on my list of foods to make. can’t wait!
That first picture is gorgeous Joanne.Love the little mound of pomegranate, bulgur and almonds.The dish is gorgeous! I have never tried the exchange you are talking abt but I knw for sure that shopping at Whole Foods could be a major setback to wallet at times 🙂
whyyyyy don’t i have a michael symon book yet, for. shame. this looks incredible, i just love how juicy and gorgeous that meat is.
I lOVE Lamb – slow cooked greek lamb is my favourite way to eat it and it required a leg of lamb (joint and all). I guess because I’ve grown up seeing it all the time I’m not fazed by the joint – but I know that the butcher will take the joint out for you (normally for FREE) if you want (this also means that the lamb will cook quicker).
Just a quick question – how much lamb are you actually getting for $30 US, cause a leg of lamb in Australia for $30 AUS would serve approximately 6-8 people.
I’ve never had lamb before. That salad looks so delicious though!
<3Chelsea Elizabeth
http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com
I don’t buy terribly much meat anyway, but I feel very stupid for having no idea how much a leg of lamb should cost. $30. Good to know. And, that colorful pomegranate tabbouleh salad looks fantastic with it!
wew! perfectly cooked lamb! sadly, it is rather challenging to find lamb meat in most hong kong wet markets and it costs A LOT in luxury supermarkets 🙁
This is what I call a meal fit for a King, a Queen and the entire royal court! That lamb looks perfectly cooked! the salad perfectly fresh and sparkling!
I love lamb even if it would cost me an arm and a leg… I am so hungry right now.
I have come to appreciate lamb so much in the last year. I never had it much growing up in the south. The tabblouleh is beautiful…the lamb is cooked perfectly. I know this was sooooo scrumptious!
I am so all over this!
Wow, Joanne..that’s enough to bring a vegetarian over to the other side! That pomegranate tabbouleh salad is stunning–gorgeous colors!
Haha I think Nina said it perfectly. I didn’t really like lamb when I ate meat but that really is a beautiful cut of meat cooked to perfection! Once again I am thoroughly impressed! This appeals to my former meat eating side and that gorgeous pomegranate tabbouleh appeals to my current vegetarian self VERY much 🙂
Oh my word. You roasted an entire leg of lamb and managed not to pass out upon seeing that joint. I think I’d have nightmares.
I’m lovin’ all the fresh produce in this meal (and all o your meals :), it looks beautiful! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
You live in New York?! I’m so jealous! That’s where I want to go to culinary school.
Your lamb looks GORGEOUS! I want to be your friend so I can come over and have some!
I know it sounds crazy but I have a tough time with beef and lamb these days. I think that joint would have sent me over the edge! Your tabbouleh salad completely rocks! So full of zip and gorgeous color! This is a terrific St Paddy’s Day dish!
I didn’t have time to visit here until now (end of our work day). Mistake! Now I’m depressed because my pathetic dinner at home is no way as appetising as your lamb and tabbouleh salad. *sigh* May have eat out at somewhere nice to make up for it.
i’m sticking with boneless, thanks–i’m ridiculously squeamish. meanwhile, lamb’s not my thing (don’t tell dear michael), but that versio of tabbouleh rocks!
What a grand meal! Tabbouleh salad looks extremely appetizing!
Gorgeous! I would love this meal.
gorgeous and beautiful recipe, lovely pics too
Delphine
Yeah, I was about to say … didn’t you dissect an entire you-know-what during your first year?? Guess they should have done cuts-of-lamb dissection, too 😉 KIDDING! It’s ok, I know you’re braver than this post suggests 😀
The lamb does look beautiful – even more beautiful considering what you had to do to get it. I don’t think Whole Foods would accept any of our sketchy legs in exchange for their perfect, field-raised-grass-fed-award-winning meat. So, don’t feel too bad 😉
yes please to the tabbouleh but I will pass on leg with real joint – it is the sort of meat stuff I am totally ignorant on – being vegetarian – but when I read it, I am glad to be veg and not have to encounter such things – hey that is why I didn’t go to med school – I am just too squeamish
I love your comparison, LOL! I think that dish is worth the arm and a leg. . Absolutely fantastic! And so is the salad. What a plate, it’s making me very hungry and it’s not even 8am yet.
Amazing colors and flavors, Joanne. Love lamb….leg of, shanks, chops…you name it.
You served us such a perfectly complete meal…the tabbouleh is divine.
That looks incredible. The colors are just amazing … and I kind of want to take a bite out of my screen. And thanks for the PSA regarding the leg of lamb. I actually don’t eat lamb (at all), but should I ever find myself in a position where I might, I will be mighty cautious about finding that socket. Cringe. Please pass the paper bag.
look absolutely wonderful Joanne, love this gloria
I don’t eat lamb, but the flavors in this dish sound absolutely delicious… and that pomegranate tabbouleh just seems amazing. Definitely worth an arm and a leg!
This looks amazing! I have been looking for pomegranate EVERYWHERE and cannot find it. Now I have two recipes for my “when I find pomegranates” list.
This is a perfect, spring-time recipe and a beautiful blend of flavors. You’re amazing!
Hey Joanne, you are too funny and your dish really is totally beautiful, but you did just remind me why I’m a vegetarian (smile but seriously). You are a little too good of a writer;-)
XOXO
Salad looks absolutely delicious and looks really nice with all the vibrant colours:)
This is GORGE! Loving all the colors… beautiful dish!
Mary xx
Delightful Bitefuls
I’m queasy by nature. I could never get through medical school. This piece of meat would have had me hyperventilating too! Thanks for the warning….
Seriously?! I’m fasting, can you please refrain from posting recipes such as this until after Easter?! You’re killing me here … how good does that lamb look? I’ll tell you: AMAZING! And the tabbouleh sounds divine.
Oh girl, I’m laughing so hard! I wasn’t even there and I feel traumatized. 🙂 That salad is so stunningly gorgeous I want to post the picture somewhere. 🙂
YUM! and im just glad im not looking at some bones with joints and sockets. haha- yup i have to always ask for boneless, it freaks me out whenever i see a bone that is freakishly reminiscent of one i have in my own body lol.
xoxo
that looks amazing, and you’re brave for tackeling that lamb 🙂 looks perfectly cooked!
you know what i love most about you and your posts, dishes rather? they are big portions. thank you and amen. let’s eat!
Un seul mot : MAGNIFIQUE!!!
See soon.
To have it bone-in is so much more flavorful! But to carve it (or remove the bone) at home WILL cost me an arm and leg, baby!
Everything about this sounds lovely! Beautiful lamb dish!
Ha! I bet after all my hugh school years of feasting on taco bell (gasp!) I am far from being organic myself. I definitely couldn’t do a trade. This whole dish must have been divine. Very tasty and creative, my dear.
Pomegranate tabbouleh sounds so delicious, and I’ve been on a real pomegranate kick lately. I’ll have to give this a try
I _love_ the first picture on this post. Very nice shot! (Not that the others are not good, but it’s just my favorite 🙂 )
I must say I couldn’t stop smiling throughout your story, it was pretty fun 🙂 I don’t know what I would have done myself with that joint lol. In any case, looking at the result, you’ve dealt with it perfectly!
I am so jealous of this! I’ve never been able to make lamb look this appealing! I’m going to keep trying though – even if I have to lose that arm and leg.
hahhaha i don’t love meat enough to sell my soul for it but i might sell one of my fingers for a really huge lobster or a life time supply of shrimp?
i bet deej would sell her left leg for a piece of great meat though
You really are brave for cooking this! I’d be scared too. I’m pretty squeamish where meat is concerned. I love the pomegranate tabbouleh – it’s gorgeous! And the plated dish is like a work of art.
Okay…that salad looks so good! (the lamb too…love lamb!) I’m going to HAVE to try it!
Lol Joanne! Your posts always make me smile! How sad for you that you got such a beautiful leg of lamb so inexpensively. Then had to invite your blogger friend over for a beautiful meal!
I kind of feel sorry for you.
Oh and I think I’ll post your lemon bars in a week or so if that’s ok by you. We loved them! I’ll do lots of mentioning of you of course. 🙂
Laura
I’m not much of a lamb eater, but your photo of this is really making me reconsider. It looks hard to resist! Gorgeous! 🙂
Love lamb, love tzatziki, and love pomegranates!
I don’t really care for lamb…but god is that salad GORGEOUS!! I think that salad itself could make a satisfying, stunning meal.
Heh, I always feel a bit weird being the last few to comment on your post because there’s like 100+ commenters before me and I wonder if you even manage to distinguish mine from theirs! :-p
wonderfuyl dish, I love lamb..and tzatzki sauce well it’s just perfection, the salad well it’s just too yummy
sweetlife
wow, that looks fantastic. i love all the ingredients, sounds delish!
You are such an amazing story teller and cook. I wish we lived closer so I could enjoy this, meal.you are such an inspiration to home chefs every where!
Wow – you Rocked the lamb! Look at all the colours in your photos – just stunning.
Thanks for the warning about the joint. I have never done a leg either. Going to look for one on Sunday. ?
HAHAHA!! I love you, Joanne! This is such a funny depiction of the lamb carving incident 🙂 I must agree that the meat was super juicy and delicious, only slightly overshadowed by the rockstar tabbouleh! Thanks again for making me dinner! Oh, and PS… “That’s what I do, I discover people” LOL
Oh, Joanne… that meat looks like it is done to perfection! And the tabbouleh looks so healthy! Glad you didn’t lose a leg over this meal 😉
Great looking tabbouleh!
your pictures are SO ridiculously gorgeous!
Every. Single. Thing. About this post is amazing. I wish I could just get a fork and knife and dig right in. If you get the urge to make this again, you can ship some directly to me. 🙂
Wow. Just wow. I am totally including you on my list of must-see’s when I come to NYC (no date set yet, but sometime…) And I will even supply the (boneless) leg of lamb.
When I saw this pop up in my reader, my eyes literally lit up (and I may have started salivating but I will not disclose that information). This looks not only delicious but absolutely beautiful!
I so love lamb and that tabbouleh is perfect with it and just stunning too. Well worth putting several body parts and/or organs on the black market. 😉
What an incredible combination, and the pictures are wonderful.
I’m on vacation…and not really reading blogs…but boy am i glad i came and saw this! now i want to go home and make it 🙂
I totally freaked when I saw the “human-like” joint! Unfortunately, had gone straight to the recipe without reading the prelude…
Can’t wait to try out this tabbouleh recipe!