Crying Leg Boulangere

Ingredients: 

2kg bone-in leg of kid

3-4 garlic cloves

sliced big bunch of rosemary or thyme, roughly chopped

50g tablespoons softened butter or use 3½ tablespoons olive oil

600g waxy potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

2 large onions, thinly sliced

400ml chicken or kid stock (or use water)

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salsa Verde 

Makes about 250ml

4 anchovy fillets, rinsed if packed in salt

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

large bunch of flatleaf parsley, leaves picked

small bunch of basil or mint (or a combination), leaves picked

2 tablespoons salted capers, rinsed and roughly chopped

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice, or to taste

100ml good quality extra virgin olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6.

Rub salt and pepper all over the leg. Using a pointed knife, pierce small, deep slits about 5cm apart all over the leg, inserting a slice of garlic and small sprigs of herb deep into each slit.

Place the leg in a deep roasting dish and smear the softened butter or olive oil all over the leg. Roast for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, place the potatoes and onions in a bowl, toss together and season with salt and pepper, adding any leftover garlic and chopped herbs.

Take the meat out of the oven after its initial 20 minutes, transfer to a large plate and turn the oven temperature down to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.

Spread the potatoes and onions out in the roasting dish and pour over the stock, then put the leg back on top so that it is ‘crying’ over the vegetables.

Return the dish to the oven and roast for about another 45-60 minutes, depending on how well you like your meat cooked.

Allow the meat to rest on a plate, and meanwhile crank the oven up to crisp the potatoes a bit, if you like.

For the Salsa Verde

Mash the anchovies and garlic together in mortar and pestle, then gradually add the herbs and capers and pound to a rough paste. (Or chop the herbs, anchovies, capers and garlic together on a big board, using a large knife.)

Stir in the mustard and vinegar or lemon juice, then slowly whisk in the olive oil until you achieve your desired consistency. Taste and add more vinegar or lemon juice if you like, plus salt and pepper to taste.

This is best eaten the day it is made, but you can store it in a jar with a thin layer of oil on the top in the fridge, for up to 3 days.

Remember to take a look at Parson's Nose brand new goat meat selection in London.