1 (6 to 8 lbs.) leg of lamb, aitchbone removed by butcher, trimmed

5 T. extra-virgin olive oil

9 garlic cloves (7 cloves sliced and 2 finely chopped)

1/4 C. honey

1/4 C. fresh lemon juice

1 T. finely chopped fresh rosemary

2 C. couscous

1/2 C. coarsely chopped, toasted pistachios

1/2 C. coarsely chopped dried apricots

1/2 C. currants

1/2 C. chopped scallion

2 tsp. finely grated fresh lemon zest

 

 Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Rinse and pat lamb dry. Season with salt and pepper; let stand at room temperature 1 hour.  Heat 2 T. oil in a heavy roasting pan placed over 2 burners over moderately high heat. Brown lamb on both sides, about 7 minutes. Turn lamb fat side up and cut 1-inch slits in top about 1-1/2 inches apart. Push garlic slices into slits. Combine honey, juice, rosemary, and 2 T. oil in a bowl; reserve for basting. Roast lamb in middle of oven, basting halfway through with honey mixture (adding water, as needed, to bottom of pan if dry), until an instant-read thermometer inserted by 2 inches into thickest part of lamb (not touching bone) registers 125 degree F for medium, 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Transfer lamb in pan to rack; let stand 15 minutes before carving into 1/4-inch-thick slices.  Meanwhile, bring 2-1/2 C. water to boil with chopped garlic and stir in couscous. Immediately cover and remove pan from heat. Let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 T. oil, the pistachios, apricots, currants, scallion, and zest; salt and pepper to taste. Stir with a fork to combine, breaking up any clumps of couscous.   Serve lamb with couscous and spoon any pan juices over meat. Makes 8 to 10 servings.