Egyptian Roast Lamb (kharouf Mahshi)
Egyptian dish with garlic, lemon juice, ground cumin.

- prep 9 min
- cook 21 min
- total 30 min
- serves 4
- advanced
- Egypt
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 leg of lamb
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
- Place the leg of lamb in a roasting pan.
- Generously rub the marinade all over the lamb, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Cover the roasting pan with foil.
- Let the lamb marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Remove the roasting pan from the refrigerator.
- Let the lamb come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before roasting.
- Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven.
- Roast the lamb for approximately 25 minutes per pound (or 55 minutes per kilogram) for medium-rare doneness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lamb.
- It should read around 60°C (140°F) for medium-rare.
- While the lamb is roasting, baste it occasionally with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Once the lamb reaches the desired doneness, remove it from the oven.
- Cover it loosely with foil.
- Let it rest for about 15–20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and the lamb to become tender.
- Carve the roasted lamb into slices.
- Serve it hot as the centerpiece of your meal.
Adapted from “Egyptian Roast Lamb (Kharouf Mahshi)”, Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0. This adaptation is shared under the same licence.