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.
So many delightful, beautiful and precious memories of your special friend.
Little snapshots of all the moments β and mischief!! β€οΈ β N x
The artworks are beautiful and catch the essence of Dozer and you β you can feel the special attachment you had with each other.
Such a cute idea for easter meals matchmaker! Im a slow roast gal all the way but now im going to have to try the curried legs and the butterflies greek leg!
Slow roast gal is a strong position β but I love that youβre branching out! π The curried leg and Greek butterflied one are both very good choices. β N x
a wonderful tribute to your love storyβ¦you have both been captured well. Thanks for all the delicious food and off course Dozer
Thatβs such a nice way to put it β a love story captured in so many different ways. β€οΈ β N x
4 years today we lost our Goldie Harry. We still miss him every single day. He was family like no other.
How special for you to have these truly beautiful artworks of Dozer.
Thank you for the clever post. Great way to sort the Easter lamb .
Four years β¦ that says everything about how special he was. β€οΈ And yes, these artworks feel like such a gift to hold onto. β N x
These are really very touching and oh so beautiful of our Dozer and Nagi. I
They really are so touching β each one capturing a little piece of him. β€οΈ β N x
You are so loved Nagi, such stunning pictures of you and beloved Dozer. Your posts still make me cry. Thank you for all of your hard work, divine recipes and for you being you, the beautiful person that you are xxxxx
Thatβs so kind of you β thank you. β€οΈ He definitely had a way of making people feel something, didnβt he. β N x
The artwork is so beautiful Nagi. Thank you for sharing Dozer with us. We miss him so much. We have a tradition in Cape Town. Some people buy it but most homes that I know make it from scratch. Itβs called pickle fish. Itβs pieces of fried fish thatβs been laying in a sweet sour curry sauce with slices of onions. We make it a couple of days ahead and eat it on Good Friday. Some people have it with buttered bread and others with buttered hot cross buns. I know it sounds strange but I absolutely love it. Itβs delicious. So greetings from Cape Town and have a blessed Easter weekend everyone, and to all the Capetownians enjoy your pickle fish π
That sounds amazing β sweet, sour, curry and fish all together, I can see why you love it! π And thank you for sharing that tradition, I love hearing these. β N x
Wowβ¦beautiful artwork to remember a wonderful Dozerβ¦a fur baby we all adopted and loved with you Nagi.
Very special πβ€οΈπΆ
It really does feel like that. β€οΈ β N xβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Wow!!! What talented people β they have done an amazing job capturing the both of you β each picture shows the essence of love and beauty. You will look back on them in time to come with smiles and laughter π by the way β love your hard work on the variety of lamb cooks β you are an amazing star that we all appreciate so much. Happy Easter to
You and all your team at recipe tin (eats and meals). Hope the bunny finds you xo
Thatβs such a lovely way to put it β I really hope they become more smiles and laughter over time. β€οΈ And so glad the lamb matchmaker was helpful too! Happy Easter to you as well. π£ β N x
What a beautiful way to remember Dozer.
It really is β such a special way to keep him close. β€οΈ β N x
Beautiful framed moments with Dozer When my dog Angel died after 16 years l didnβt think l could love another dog But during Covid l took on a 5 month old cross Labrador Hugo and he is the new love in our lives . You start to heal and love the unconditional love these special pets bring into our lives! It was 2 years after Angel that l decided to get another dog and wanted to give a rescue dog ( not from a shelter but was locked in a cage with 3 other siblings and the mother all day ) so yeh Hugo has a good life loving warm family and home now. My son absolutely adores him even more than Angel now.. so there is something for you to think about perhaps. Take care. Thanks for the recipes.
Could you do a post about flavours sauces spices to use for meats fish chicken salads as lm hopeless and like a little bland in cooking my meals but when l have guests ld like to jazz things up but l donβt have that knack You actually taught me a lot of dishes like Italian meatballs with spaghetti and few other Asian dishes ..
thank you
Kind Regards
Suzy
What a beautiful story β and Hugo sounds like he landed exactly where he was meant to be. β€οΈ And I love that idea about a flavours post, that would be a fun one to do! β N x
Dear Nagi,
My heartfelt sympathy to you on the very sad loss of your beautiful boy Dozer.πΎ
I confess I always went to the Dozer section before even looking at the recipe you were sharing! Always brought a smile to my face. It was my dose of Dozer. Now I go to Remembering Dozer and it still brings a smile but also a tear or two.π§π§
I understand completely what youβre going through. It is heartbreaking but you will smile again and find joy in your life. Dozer will always be with you, he has a piece of your heart that will always be his.
P.S I have both of your recipe books and I love choosing recipes from them.
You are in my thoughts.
Catherinexxxx
That βdose of Dozerβ makes me smile β I love that. β€οΈ And yes, a mix of smiles and tears sounds about rightβ¦ heβs always going to be part of things. β N x
what beautiful accolades for you and especially Dozer
They really do feel like such special tributes β I feel very lucky. β€οΈ β N x
Oh Nagiβ¦.. It shows how much you mean to all your fans and how special your beautiful Dozer was. What fabulous and thoughtful gesture those artists did. Dozer is remembered and loved by so many people ( including meβ¦) All those paintings are beautiful but my very favourite is the one where he is looking ( and probably dribblingβ¦!!) at a little cake ! π. Just precious.
Thank you also for your great recipes . Take care.
yes that echoes what I thought!
That art is from one of the pictures in one of the cookbooks π
Good spotting, Tania! It is, itβs the opener of the Sweets chapter in Dinner π π β N x
That cake one is so iconic!! Itβs from one of my cookbooks. As for drool β YES there was so much in the taking of that shot!!! πβ€οΈ β N x
Wow! Beautiful art for two beautiful souls. They all captured your boy (and your love of him) magnificently.
And you coupled it with Easter lamb recipes. Yum!
So glad these priceless gifts bring you comfort, joy, and happy remembrances of Dozer!
They really did capture him so well β and the love too. Pairing that with lamb recipes felt very βusβ. π β N x
Thankyou so much.
I am super appreciate that you have published these recipes.
And from a previous (2) golden retriever owner, I feel the love that you have shared with Dozer. What a joy.
That means a lot, Marion β fellow golden retriever people just get it, donβt they. Such big-hearted, joyful dogs. β€οΈ β N x
Gorgeous artwork. Love the one with the cake. Such generous people we have. Lamb? What Lamb? Went straight to Dozer of course. I cry every time.
Sharyne, haha βLamb? What lamb?β seems to be the theme! π And yes, that cake one gets me every time too. β€οΈ β N x
First things firstβ¦.π₯Ή Absolutely beautiful artwork. Itβs heartwarming to know that there are so many lovely talented people out there. Those pictures are definitely gifts from the heart.
Nextβ¦. the Lamb. What a fantastic way to work out what and how to cook it. Pure genius π€― Makes decision making so much easier. Youβre the best xx
I love that order β Dozer first, lamb second! π So glad the matchmaker made things easier, that was exactly the idea. β N x
Nagi, what goes around comes around. I am certain I am not the only person who went to the βDozerβ section before the recipe section. It was my pleasure to follow the taste tester, and I will miss him, but of course, not like you. The artwork you have to hang on your walls is a testament to how much lover there is out there for you. I wish you and the team a safe and happy Easter. Regards Gail.
Me too, Gail. Dozer first π€, recipe next.
Haha I think thatβs always officially been the order β Dozer first, recipe second! π€ β N x
It really does feel like a full circle moment β so much love coming back. And yes, I think Dozer first might be the unofficial rule now! β€οΈ β N x
How incredibly kind of these beautiful people. Dozer will be with you always and forever β€οΈ
Always. β€οΈ β N x