HERB ROASTED LEG OF LAMB

Serves 8

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup pitted oil cured olives, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 pound fresh spinach, stemmed, steamed until barely wilted, squeezed as dry as possible and finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 (5-6 pound) leg of lamb, boned, butterflied and slightly flattened
olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy skillet. Add garlic, olives and walnuts. Sauté, stirring, for 1 minute. Add spinach and sauté 2 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. Lay lamb out flat. Spread spinach mixture over the lamb. Roll up lengthwise and tie tightly in several places with kitchen string. Rub olive oil over all of the roast. Combine herbs and seasonings on a sheet of waxed paper. Roll the tied roast in them until the outside is well covered, pressing the seasonings into the lamb well with your hands.** Place the roast in a roasting pan. Roast 10 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and roast for 40 minutes longer, or until thermometer inserted into the centre reaches 140 degrees for medium rare (cook longer for more well done). Remove roast from oven and let stand, covered at room temperature 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

**At this point, the roast can be refrigerated, well cover ed, for several hours or overnight before cooking.