Grilled Lamb with Garlic & Rosemary
Back to reality, unfortunately. I left for the airport completely zen and relaxed and ready to face the next two months. Then I arrived at the airport.
I thought the last travel trip back to Ohio was bad, but I had no idea what was coming for me this time. Let me just run down the sequence of events here:
- Arrive at airport 75 minutes before flight.
- Walk in and see very long line to check in, seemingly not moving.
- Find out that flight is delayed an hour.
- Find out that flight is not delayed.
- Find out that flight might be delayed.
- Find out that flight is definitely delayed.
- Arrive at ticket counter. No record of J on the flight.
- Go through security, get food. Watch mechanics perform “scheduled weekly maintenance” on our plane through the window.
- Flight is now delayed another hour.
- Hang out.
- The plane has been over fueled and is now overweight by 900 lbs. “Will anyone give up their seat? We can’t tell you when you will be able to get home.”
- No one gives up their seat.
- “Will everyone consider not traveling with their luggage so that everyone can stay on the flight?”
- No.
- “We will be selecting the last 3 parties to check in and they will be involuntarily removed from the flight, since no one will give up their seat.”
- Surprise! We, along with the only other family with children on the flight, and a gentleman accompanying someone in a wheelchair, are the “last three parties.”
- This seems suspicious, since I know the people behind us in line checked in for the same flight.
- The mother in the other family is irate. Her son is throwing a tantrum because he is tired. The gate agent flips out, says she feels threatened, and leaves. Three security guards enter.
- Four angels sent from heaven see what is going on and give up their seats so that we can get on the flight.
- I tearily thank them profusely.
- The security guard tells us that this a known strategy- we were purposely picked so that other people would give up their seats.
- Mouth is agape.
- Get on plane.
- Arrive at Fort Lauderdale. It is pouring rain. We run from the plane to the airport.
- The stroller and carseat are left in the rain. D goes to retrieve them and all come back soaking wet.
- I go to the next gate and ask the gate agent if it would be possible to assign J a ticket so he can sit in his carseat since the flight is only 2/3 full. She tells me no, the airline doesn’t want them to do that- “every seat has to be justified.”
- I point out to her that the flight is leaving in an hour, the seat is going to be empty anyway. She is not interested in my logic.
- I find another gate agent and reiterate my previous conversation. He rolls his eyes and says how ridiculous that is, apologizes, and hands me three seats together. I think perhaps this day could be turning around.
- We sit down to eat. J is hungry and crabby.
- Lights and alarms go off in the airport. The whole airport is evacuated out onto the tarmac/jetway. Firetrucks and police cars abound. I (mostly inwardly) freak out.
- It starts to rain again. We are brought back inside.
- Flight is delayed
- We sit down to eat again.
- Announcement over the PA. Surprise– they are now boarding our flight!
- Decent flight.
- Get to Cleveland.
- No luggage. “Where are our bags?” “We don’t know.”
- Excellent.
- Leave airport. Shuttle to car.
- Empty 40 bottle next to my car door. Wonder what the H has gone on in this parking lot. Block it out.
Fin.
Our bags did finally arrive at our doorstep Sunday afternoon, so I guess everything ended up okay. I have to say, J was a trooper all day. He was in a pretty good/tolerant mood and slept for half of the long flight. Poor guy was, and still is, wiped out. Too much fun in the sun!
Last post about Easter (“Good, since it was over two weeks ago now!”), but I think I have saved the best for last. This is a show-stopper, sure to impress anyone you make it for. It’s a perfect meal centerpiece, great for holidays or dinner parties. Everyone will be highly impressed with your culinary skills, but it will be our little secret as to how easy it was to throw together.
Fresh off the grill
Easter, Part Three- Grilled Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary
Servings: 0
Ingredients
- One 4- to 5-pound boneless leg of lamb I bought a semi-boneless one and had the butcher debone it and tie it for me
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 large garlic cloves smashed and coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Spread the lamb on a work surface. Trim away any excess fat and gristle.
- In a large, shallow dish, combine the olive oil, garlic and rosemary. Add the lamb and turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 4 hours, turning a few times.
- Light a grill. Season the lamb with salt and pepper; do not scrape off the garlic or rosemary. Grill the lamb over a hot fire, turning often, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in each piece registers 125° to 130° for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb to a carving board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice the lamb and serve.
- Note: Original recipe has you separating the muscles and ending up with several pieces that you grill. I chose not to do that, I like the look of the roast. You could do it either way, just be mindful that you don't overcook it. F&W's note for you if you choose to do it their way: The times will vary according to the size and shape of the lamb leg, anywhere from 8 minutes for a 6-ounce piece to 20 minutes for a 1 1/2-pound piece.
Tried this recipe?Mention @gogogogourmet or tag #gogogogourmet!
So pretty…
One of four times per year we use our wedding china…
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