Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb

Delicious lamb leg roast seasoned with herbs and spices.  Makes a great holiday, or romantic, dinner.

I don't care much about Valentines day (except the cute stuffed animal my dad sends every year).   This year I'm more excited about Friday The 13th.  Yep that's today.

I love Friday the 13th's.  I'm a big horror movie fan so Friday the 13th is all about Jason Voorhees.  If I can find any of the movies (I wish I owned them all) it's marathon time.  If not any horror movie will do.  What could go better with a slasher movie marathon than a bloody leg (of lamb).  It's really not that bloody it's about medium rare and oh so good.  This could easily be a romantic dinner too if that's your thing.  But I say turn out the lights and fire up the scary movies.

This was my first time cooking leg of lamb so I googled for instructions.  I found many and used a little bit of all to make this roast.  Most of the recipes I found said to bake in a roasting pan.  I don't have one so I just put it in my largest/deepest baking pan with potatoes and carrots lining the bottom (an easy and delicious side dish).  One of the recipes I really liked suggested broiling the roast on both sides to sear it but the broiler on my oven doesn't work so I just roasted it at a high temperature to start then lowered the heat for the rest of the cooking.

Herb Roasted Leg of Lamb

Ingredients:

1 5 pound semi-boneless leg of lamb
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp rosemary
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp coarse ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450F

Remove lamb from fridge at least 1 hour before you plan to roast it.

Chop some potatoes and carrots into bite sized pieces, toss in olive oil and spices of choosing (salt, pepper, garlic, thyme).  Place in bottom of your largest baking pan (I used a glass 9x13).

Rinse the lamb and pat dry.  Then, rub all over with the spice mix and place in baking pan on top of the veggies.

Bake in a preheated oven at 450F for 15 minutes.  Then lower the temperature to 325F and continue baking for about 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the roast reaches 130F for medium rare.

Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.  Serves a lot. 8 or 10 maybe.  We ate it plain a few nights, then I made some other dishes with it.

Serve with those roasted potatoes and carrots, mint jelly if you have it, or I served it with tzatziki.

Enjoy (stay tuned to see what else I made with the lamb).

For ways to use leftovers check out:  Greek Nachos, Lamb Salad, and Lamb & Guinness Shepherds Pie

Linked to:  Pretty Pintastic, Best of the Weekend, Merry Monday, 2 Cup, Lou Lou Girls, Teach Me,Tasty, Whimsy, Cook Craft Share, Full Plate, Foodie Friends

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12 Days of Bloggy Christmas: Day 13 (Baker's Dozen) - Jello Popcorn from Love Bakes Good Cakes

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On the 13th (Bonus Baker's dozen) Day of Bloggy Christmas Miss Jamie gave to me Jello Popcorn

Hi y'all! I'm Jamie - the blogger behind Love Bakes Good Cakes. I am excited to be joining Krista and the other wonderful ladies she's rounded-up to bring you 12 Days of Bloggy Christmas!
Is it just me or does this time of the year seem incredibly busy?! I feel like a dog chasing his tail - I just can't catch up! I know for us, we will be keeping our holiday festivities a little more simple this year. I really wanted to share something that was easy and economical - because I believe there are a whole lot of people with the same thoughts as us. 

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12 Days of Bloggy Christmas: Day 12 - Amazing Gift Ideas for the People on Your Shopping List from Notes from the Nelsens

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On the 12th Day of Bloggy Christmas Miss Heather gave to me Amazing Gift Ideas for the People on Your Shopping List!

Hey there! I'm Heather Nelsen, and I write a lifestyle and foodie blog over at Notes from the Nelsens.

That cute guy in the picture with me is my hubby, Matt. We started dating in high school and got married six years later after graduating from Clemson (Go TIGERS!) and Furman. We're Atlanta natives who moved back to the city after college. We bought our first house in 2010 and flipped the entire thing before moving in. You can check out the whole-house renovation here, learn more about us (including goofy pictures of our high school dating years) here, and see a list of places we have traveled here.

Thanks to Krista for inviting me be a part of this fun blogging event and to the eleven other bloggers who are letting me take over their pages today!

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With only 13 days until Christmas, I know some of you are entering panic mode, trying to figure out what to get for the last few people (or maybe ALL of the people!) on your Christmas shopping list. So I thought I would share some gift ideas to help you out!

For the Cook:
These are my favorite items for cooking! I use the panini press, mixer, and bar pan more than any other item in my kitchen, and I love the BHG magazine and cook book for recipes!

Breville Panini Press

New Cook Book, Limited Edition
KitchenAid Mixer

The Pampered Chef Large Bar Pan
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

For the Reader:
I'm a teacher, so giving and receiving books for Christmas is a norm for me. These are my top four favorite books right now. The first three for adults, and the last one for kids or adults. I read The One and Only Ivan to one of my 5th grade classes this year and have had 6 other reading groups read it in my other two classes- every single kid has loved it! It will pull at your heart strings (I had to pass it over to my kids to read out loud for me on more than one occasion), but it is such a sweet story. Click on the links below to read more about each book.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Nineteen Minutes

Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together

The One and Only Ivan

For the Exerciser:
I could live in my Lulu Lemon pants and love my Camelbak water bottle. There's just something about it that's cooler than drinking out of a regular water bottle. Matt and I both love the Nike Dri-fit tees and tops. They're so comfortable, and the girls' tops make you feel cute when you're working out. ;) The shoes are on my own wish list this year, and you can never go wrong with a gift card! (The Athleta card, btw, can be used at Gap, BR, and Old Navy too.)

Lululemon Wunder Under Pant
Athleta gift card
Camelbak water bottle
Nike Dri-fit Tees for men
Nike Dri-fit long sleeve knit for women
Running store gift card to get fitted for a pair of shoes like these

For the one who likes to be Pampered:
Who doesn't love to be pampered?! The stress relief line from Bath and Body works is my absolute favorite line they sell. It you have never tried it, pick one up for yourself when you're doing your Christmas shopping. And make sure you get the eucalyptus spearmint scent- it is the best! The MK Satin Hands and Feet is a quick and easy treat that anyone will love. They make for great teacher gifts too! Click here for a discount on the set.

Eucalyptus Spearmint shower gel and lotion
Gift card for a massage or facial
Mani/Pedi gift certificate
Satin Hands and Feet (click here for a discount on the set)

For the one who deserves some Relaxation:
All four of these items in a cute basket would also make for a fab teacher gift. ;) I have received wine from my kids' parents before and it always cracks me up. It means they get it. Much appreciated.

Stress Relief Candle
Stress Relief Bath Salts
Favorite Wine
A good book

For the Jewelry Lover:
Every single one of these items is on my Christmas wish list. Aren't they gorgeous?! Stella & Dot knows how to make some cute jewels. Again, you may just have to buy one for yourself as you shop for others. These pieces are too hard to pass up!

1. Serenity Stone Drop Earrings

2. Christina Link Necklace

3. Garden Party Chandelier Earrings

4. Seychelles Chandelier Earrings

5. Trinity Pendant

6. Allegra Earrings

7. Sanibel Reversible Pendant

For the Skin Care Conscious:
I wrote about the Mia in one of my Ten on the 10th posts (appropriately titled "These are a few of my favorite things"). Matt's mom got it for me for Christmas 2 years ago, and I've used it everyday since! It's like giving yourself a daily mini facial. The MK products are also a part of my daily/weekly routine, and the Borghese mask is a like a treat for your face.

Clarisonic Mia
Timewise Set (For a discount, click here)
Microdermabrasion Set (For a discount, click here)
Borghese Mud Mask

For the Coffee Lover:
I love drinking my coffee out and these cute mugs (I have one of each style), and the tumbler keeps my coffee warm for hours! Tossing a gift card in a mug with some chocolates would make for a super cute gift set!

Anthropologie Block Letter Mug
Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug
Starbucks Travel Tumbler
Starbucks gift card

For the Men:
Matt loves his Lucky jeans. They fit like designer jeans without the crazy look-at-my-rear-end pocket designs. He's also a big fan of his Gap v-necks, Brooks Brothers dress shirts, and J.Crew shirts. One suggestion- especially if you're shopping for your spouse and returns are easier- OUTLETS. The Brooks outlet usually has a 40% store-wide sale in December. We stock up on Matt's shirts for as low as $25. Considering the retail for $92 in the store, that's a pretty sweet deal. I also bought Matt's Lucky's at the outlet. Why pay more when you can get the same thing for less?!

Brooks Brother's Non-Iron Dress Shirts
J.Crew Slim Brushed Twill Shirts
J.Crew Flannel Shirts
Lucky Jeans
Gap Essential V-neck Tee

Hand Crafted Alligator Products:
Purchase these products and more here, and learn more about the company here. These are awesome gifts for your groomsmen, co-workers, and spouses! I can guarantee the quality because I've seen them in person and know the people who hand-make them. Great gifts for sure!

I hope you were able to knock one or two more things off your shopping list!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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