Pascua Florida

Translation: Feast of the Flowers and it usually refers to Easter. History lesson: Ponce De Leon first saw Florida during that holiday and named it after it. But I live in New Jersey and early April is a little too soon for the flower explosion that he was referring to, except this year has been a little different due to our very warm winter so on our walks

we found flowering trees

the tulips I planted years ago at the front of the house which the squirrels love to munch on

but still, the lilacs are just starting

and so is the dogwood

and the crab apples

Not yet ready to bring inside for our Easter celebration. Luckily we still have daffodils to brighten our table

and food to celebrate with:

Roast Lamb with Rosemary adapted from Saveur issue 131-Greece
Serves 6- 8

1  4–5-lb. semi-boneless leg of  lamb,

 
   preferably New Zealand

Kosher salt, to taste

8 cloves garlic

1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 tbsp. Aleppo pepper

15 sprigs fresh rosemary

1. Put lamb in a roasting pan and make 3 incisions in lamb, spaced about 3" apart, down to the bone. Season lamb generously with salt; set aside. Put garlic in the bowl of a food processor and process until minced. Add oil, lemon juice, mustard, and Aleppo pepper and purée. Rub mixture all over lamb and let marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

2.  Heat oven to 500˚. Tuck rosemary underneath lamb.

Put roasting pan into oven, reducing heat to 350˚ after 20 minutes and cook,  turning once and basting occasionally with the juices in the pan, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 135˚ (for medium), about 1 hour. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let cool for 20 minutes. Carve lamb and serve. 

Serve with Greek Salad

 

Mix torn lettuce leaves with quartered tomatoes, thinly sliced onions, thinly sliced cucumbers and Kalamata olives. Add salt, pepper and fresh Greek oregano to taste. Sprinkle with extra virgin olive oil, toss.

 

and roasted potatoes

 

and Max to make us smile

 

 Happy flower feasting!