Mint-Rubbed Leg Of Lamb - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (5 lb) whole leg of lamb (5-lbs with bone in)
8 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons dried mint, crushed
1 tablespoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons honey
fresh mint sprig (optional)

Preparation

Trim excess fat from meat. Cut 1/2-inch-wide slits into lamb in 16 different places. Cut garlic cloves in half lengthwise and insert each half-clove deep into each slit.
Combine dried mint, pepper, and salt; rub mixture over entire surface of lamb leg. Drizzle honey over lamb and rub to coat. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. and refrigerate about 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove plastic wrap. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of meat without touching bone. Roast, uncovered, in preheated oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until thermometer registers 140 degrees for medium-rare doneness or 155 degrees for medium doneness. Remove from oven.
Cover meat loosely with foil and let stand for 15 minutes. Serve in its own juices. Suggestions to serve along with the lamb are cooked herbed new potatoes, steamed baby carrots, and steamed asparagus. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.