Find your perfect Easter lamb to suit your time, budget, convenience or desire to show off! Just follow the prompts and Iβll guide you to your perfect lamb recipe. Welcome to the Easter Lamb Matchmaker! π
Finding the perfect lamb recipe for Easter
Every year leading up to Easter, my friends start messaging me asking which lamb recipe they should make for Easter Sunday. I always fire back questions β how many people, make on day or before, high or low budget, do you want rosy pink slices or fall-apart meat? Based on that, I point them to the lamb that suits them best.
So this year, I thought it might be helpful to turn that little back-and-forth into a guide so I can point you to your perfect Easter Lamb recipe! Hope you find this useful. π
βοΈTOP TIP βοΈ
Lamb leg is more economical than shoulder. A 2.5kg leg serves 8β10, while a 2.5kg shoulder serves 4β5, because slow-cooked shoulder loses more weight. Leg though is best served freshly made. Shoulder however can be made ahead, will reheat 100% perfectly, and is very hands off.
Easter Lamb Matchmaker
To use this matchmaker, answer the questions below and they will lead you to the Easter lamb that suits your needs. Note: These are for centrepiece lamb mains rather than things like skewers, meatballs and stews like Tagine. For my complete collection of lamb recipes, see Lamb Recipes.
1. HANDS OFF OR HANDS ON?
The first point of order is: Do you want something mostly hands-off, or are you happy to be more involved? Think set-and-forget, fall-apart slow cooker roast lamb leg (ie. low effort) versus a blushing pink oven roast lamb-leg that needs to be monitored and best served straight away (ie. more hands-on).
I want hands-off β Go to question 2.
Iβm happy with hands-on β Skip to question 5.
2. do you want something make-ahead?
Hands-off it is! Now, do you want a hands-off lamb recipe that can be made the day before? Or one you can make on the day and serve hot without reheating?
Yes, I want something I can make-ahead β Go to question 3.
No, I can cook on the day and serve without reheating. β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ Your perfect lamb recipes that are hands-off to cook but best served freshly made on the day are:
Slow cooked lamb legs β Either a whole leg slow-roasted in the oven or a half leg in the slow cooker. Because lamb legs are quite lean, even when they are slow-cooked to fall-off-the-bone tender, they are still best served freshly made.
Slow cooked lamb shanks in red wine sauce, port braised, Massaman Curry or Persian. Note: lamb shanks are also brilliant made the day before as well!
A 3 hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder. Though if you get up early enough, you could do the 12 hour lamb shoulder in time for Easter Sunday dinner! Both are equally low-maintenance to cook.
3. DO YOU WANT PLATED OR SHARE STYLE?
Cooking for a crowd is definitely less stressful when you make-ahead π. Now, do you want a lamb recipe where people help themselves (share-style) or one that is suitable for individual plating?
I want share-style β Go to question 4.
I want something I can serve individually plated β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ Your perfect lamb matches that can be made the day before, then reheated for serving and plated individually are:
Slow cooked lamb shanks in red wine sauce, port braised, Massaman Curry or Persian
4. DO YOU WANT CLASSIC LAMB FLAVOURS OR EXOTIC?
Of course you want share-style β itβs the best way to eat! But do you want a lamb with traditional flavours like garlic, rosemary and oregano, or do you want a lamb with bold and exciting flavours, like Middle Eastern or Massaman curry??
I want classic flavours! β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ Both these recipes are made for sharing and can be made ahead (even the day before) and refrigerated. To serve, simply reheat β without any loss of quality or juiciness of meat. These are very rare characteristics in the roast world!
3 hour slow-roasted rosemary garlic lamb shoulder with gravy; or
The ultimate 12 hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder with garlic and oregano and jus β the creme de la creme of all my roast lamb recipes
I want exotic flavours! β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ These can be made the day before then reheated on the day-of.
Lamb Shanks Massaman Curry β 10 minute prep, βdump and bakeβ (reader favourite!)
Fall-apart Massaman Lamb Shoulder β 5 minute prep βdump and bakeβ
Middle Eastern Shoulder with with all the trimmings in Tonight (page 251, photo preview here).
5. FOR HANDS-ON, do you want SHARE-STYLE OR MORE REFINED?
For those who have time for hands-on cooking on the day-of, do you want a lamb main that isΒ big, hearty and made for sharing with a group 6+, or somethingΒ smaller and a little more refined?
I want big and hearty lamb main on a sharing platter β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ Donβt disappear on a deep forest Easter-egg hunt for hours towards the end of the cooking time of these, but your sacrifice will be rewarded with XX
Greek BBQ Butterflied Lamb Leg β 20 minute cook time, great for BBQ
Moroccan Lamb Backstraps β 8 minute cook time, also great for BBQ!
I want something more refined for a smaller group. β Read on β¬οΈ
ππ YOU HAVE BEEN MATCHED! ππ Here are your perfect lamb recipes:
Lamb racks ($$$) β Either Rosemary Crumbed Rack of Lamb, or a Herb and Garlic Marinated Lamb Rack. Donβt make me choose for you! Both are amazing! (Though the crumbed one is a little more hands-on with the prep).
Rosemary Garlic Lamb Cutlets β I know this is a bit of an outlier because itβs cutlets rather than a roast, but Iβve included this because they are a premium cut for special occasions. This is pretty much the only way I cook lamb cutlets. The better the meat, the simpler the flavours!
Hope you found your perfect match!
Truthfully, I feel like you canβt go wrong with any of these lamb recipes, itβs more about which recipe will suit your needs.
As for my first pick? Always the 12 hour lamb shoulder for succulent meat and a rich flavour thatβs superior to leg, plus itβs re-heatable. I often roast it in disposable foil trays for transporting convenience. To reheat, Iβll do it covered in the oven if time permits, else Iβll pop it in the microwave (YES I DO!) If Iβm short on time to cook, Iβll do the 3 hour roast version of the shoulder. And if Iβm really short on prep time, Iβll do the 5 minute prep Massaman Shoulder, which I actually just did for a lunch last weekend for that exact reason.
When an occasion calls for a carving moment or where I want one large roast to serve 10 people though, I will do a classic Roast Lamb Leg with all the trimmings. I do love a good lamb leg!
Hope you enjoyed this Matchmaker. Now, go meet your perfect lamb match β no awkward first dates required! β Nagi x
Remembering Dozer
Nothing could have prepared me for this. I never in a million years would have imagined Iβd be filling my home with artworks of Dozer gifted to me by readers. They came over the weeks, each one arriving with so much love and care it honestly stopped me in my tracks and had me bawling when I opened them.
I made a little video about these artworks I thought you might like to see:
I have a gazillion photos of Dozer, but these hold a special meaning that only something handmade can. I will be putting them up in my home and will treasure them forever.
With heartfelt thanks to the talented artists:
1. Michelle Jung from MJ Draws Dog
2. Robyn Ross
4. Rachel Somers
5. Roslyn Elms
I framed them all extra big so they have presence! Many thanks to Sydney Picture Frames in West Ryde for the wonderful job they did with the framing β friendly, great advice, fast turnaround and value.
Each time I read about Dozer my eyes well up! I always went to the end of your page first⦠to see Dozer!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful artworks. So touching!
He will always live in our hearts!
Dear Nagi every time Dozer comes up near the end of a recipe Iβm sad all over again.
Regards
Kay
Nagi, Thank you for sharing βEverything Dozerβ with us. The two of you have enriched my life. And thanks also to your talented followers for sharing their artwork. I have been following you and Dozer for about 3 years. In the beginning I would read the whole article and recipe and was happy when I got to the Dozer section. The first time I skipped the recipe and went straight to Dozer I had a twinge of guilt. But that didnβt last long and soon I too was a βDozer Firstβ reader. You are a special person who raised a special Dozer and shared your lives with the world. God Bless you Nagi for sharing your life with each of us. I always look forward to your recipes and messages.
Sue
Dear Nagi
I have a question, if I make the lamb shanks in red wine sauce the day before, do I cook them for 2 hours (instead of 3), let them cool, put them in a glass container and the fridge overnight, then let them get to room temp the next day, place back in the casserole dish, then in the oven for a final 1 hour?
Sorry if this seems a silly question, Iβve only ever made them on the day.
More importantly, Dozerβs artworks are treasures, better than any Picasso!
Wishing you a kind Easter, with lots of beautiful memories.
Kindest
Lisa
It is with sadness in my heart I read the many messages from your community. It is also brings joy to realise how much love Dozer brought to so many.
Thank you for the lovely message Diana. It IS sad, but also in some way so beautiful to hear all these Dozer messages. I just miss him so much every single day. Just his presence π β N x
Dozer remains a light not to be extinguished. These are beautiful. You made him a part of our family, too. Dozer and my boy left us just days apart.
π Thanks Nikki. I just canβt seem to let him go π
What a beautiful tribute to darling Dozer, and what lovely and talented followers you have.
Stay strong. πππ
Arenβt they incredible?? β€οΈ
Beautiful artwork and captures the essence of you and Dozer. Very special. What talented readers you have!!
I feel exactly the same..β¦ So special. β€οΈ β N x
I found it difficult to look at the pictures, I loved them all, especially the ones with you and Dozer together, My eyes filled with tears. Love you
Sharolyn, I know that feelingβ¦ I still get teary too, then end up smiling remembering what a menace he was! β€οΈ β N x
What a fun βitβs a matchβ post! I did tear up at the beautiful artwork. How wonderful.
Glad you got the fun factor in this post Tania! π As for tearing upβ¦lots of that happening at this end. Thanks for the lovely message β N x
Ok, Iβm crying, now. What a fine community you have built by sharing your love for Dozer, Nagi! Thank you.
Also thank you for the amazing lamb recipe you designed with all the options! It takes all the guesswork and fear (for me) of cooking this splendid feast of renewal. π€
That means a lot, Judithβ¦ definitely happy tears I hope! β€οΈ Iβm so glad the matchmaker helped take the stress out of choosing your Easter lamb. β N x
Amazing works of art!!
I know rightβ¦ ! β€οΈ β N x
Whar a beautiful gift for you Nagi. The artists have captured Dozerβs face so well and yours too. Enjoy them, love them and treasure them always. My enduring sympathy is yours.
Thatβs so kind of you, Yvonne. They really did capture him so perfectlyβ¦ cheeky sparkle and all. β€οΈ β N x
What beautiful treasures these are Nagi and they will stir memories for you forever. I canβt think of any artwork hanging in your home that would compare with this. Dozer was truly loved and the love you have for him is magical. I do hope in time it will hurt a little less for you.
Meanwhile the βlamb matchmaker is awesome. Sending love πΎπΎπ
Terrific art, and a lovely tribute to your pal.
It really is such a beautiful tributeβ¦ I feel very lucky. β€οΈ β N x
Such a great idea β thanks Nagi
Glad you enjoyed it, Janeβ¦ had a bit of fun putting that matchmaker together! π β N x
Beautiful works of art.
They really are, Arlene β every piece feels so special. β€οΈ β N x
Oh how wonderful. Fabulous work and really captured him on some of those pieces. What kindness
I knowβ¦ some of them capture him so perfectly it almost feels like heβs right there again. β€οΈ β N x
How beautiful is that. I was nearly in tears myself.
I feel like itβs a bit of a tear-up then a smile situation. β€οΈπ β N x
Love these beautiful gifts of art! They depict Dozer and you to a tee. Very poignant. We all miss your Dozer too, Nagi. He was the best of the very best. β€οΈ
βthe best of the very bestβ β he wouldβve absolutely agreed with that! πβ€οΈ β N x
Thanks so much for your love and gratitude in sharing Dozer with us and the art created for you by artists who truly captured his spirit in their works so well done!
It really does feel like they captured his spirit so well, Trisha β cheeky and full of life. β€οΈ β N x