Roast Lamb Calypso

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 5 -6 lbs lean lamb loin, preferably center cut
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark rum
• 2 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 medium bay leaf, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup light rum
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot (dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 350°f with a sharp knife, lightly score the lamb loin by making diagonal cuts 1/4 inch deep at 1-inch intervals on the fat side. place the lamb scored side up in a shallow roasting pan just large enough to hold it comfortably.
• 2 if you prefer to use a meat thermometer, insert it into the loin after you have scored the fat side. be sure the tip of the thermometer does not touch any fat or bone.
• 3 roast the loin in the middle of the oven for 1 hour, or until the lamb is golden brown. remove the pan from the heat and transfer the loin to a cutting board or platter. skim the fat from the juices in the pan, pour in the stock, and set the pan and its liquid aside.
• 4 with a large mortar and pestle or in a small bowl with the back of a spoon, mash the brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of dark rum, garlic, ginger, cloves, bay leaf, salt and pepper to a smooth paste. with a metal spatula or your fingertips, spread the paste evenly over the scored side of the lamb.
• 5 return the loin to the pan scored side up and roast in the middle of the oven for another 30 minutes, or until the surface is crusty and brown. (the thermometer should reach a temperature of 160°f to 165°f.).
• 6 transfer the loin to a heated platter and let it rest for 10 minutes for easier carving.
• 7 meanwhile, slowly warm the light rum in a small skillet over low heat. off the heat, ignite the rum with a match, then slide the skillet gently back and forth until the flames completely die out.
• 8 bring the liquid remaining in the baking pan to a boil over high heat. give the arrowroot-and-water mixture a quick stir to recombine it, and add it to the pan. stirring constantly, cook briskly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the spoon heavily.
• 9 remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flamed rum and the lime juice. taste for seasoning and pour the sauce into a heated bowl or sauceboat.