From: Chef Michael Scott Castell, Brenner's Steakhouse, Houston. Yield: 12 servings.
5-6 lb. American Lamb leg, boned, trimmed and trussed
¼ cup sherry
¼ cup lemon juice
3 oz. yellow onion, small dice
¾ oz. fresh thyme leaves
¾ oz. fresh basil leaves
½ oz. fresh rosemary leaves
½ oz. fresh tarragon leaves
1 Tbsp. garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp. cane syrup
1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
Provence Salt:
1 lb. kosher salt
2 oz. pepper, ground
2 oz. granulated garlic
1-⅓ oz. dry lemon peel, ground
⅔ oz. dried thyme, ground
⅔ oz. dried rosemary, ground
⅔ oz. dried oregano, ground
⅔ oz. dried marjoram, ground
⅔ oz. dried basil, ground
Poached Pears:
6 Bosc pears
1 cup port wine
1 cup cabernet wine
1 cup granulated sugar
24 slices French boule, toasted
24 oz. goat cheese, softened
12 oz. roasted garlic Dijon aioli
6 cups spring mix
For marinade: Combine sherry, lemon juice, onion, thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, garlic, cane syrup, mustard and salt. Use immersion blender to make marinade smooth. Add oil in a stream, allowing marinade to emulsify. Pat lamb dry and rub with marinade. Let sit for 2 hours. Evenly coat roast with Provence salt as needed, and place on roasting rack.
Roast lamb in 350°F oven for 1½ to 2 hours, rotating every 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for desired degree of doneness: 145°F for medium-rare, 160°F for medium, or 170°F for well. Once cooled, partially remove the trussing and place lamb leg on meat slicer. Use the #2 setting to slice meat removing truss as needed. Portion into 5-oz. packs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until needed.
For Provence salt: Combine all ingredients in stainless steel bowl. Store unused salt in jar with tight-fitting lid.
For poached pears: Remove peel from pears and reserve. Combine wines and sugar in pan; cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add pears and skins, and cook over low heat for 1 hour, turning pears frequently. Cool pears and skins in mixture. Remove skins and pears; discard skins. Slice pears in half and remove cores. Slice each pear into 12 slices. Place pear slices back into wine mixture. Refrigerate until needed.
To prepare sandwich: Spread 2 ounces goat cheese on bottom slice of sandwich. Spread 1 ounce roasted garlic Dijon aioli on the top slice of each sandwich. Arrange 5 oz. sliced lamb on goat cheese. Top with ½ cup spring mix and 6 pear slices. Top with second piece of bread and cut on the diagonal.
