A Recipe for Birthday Celebration

Roast Lamb & Mash Potatoes with Mango Salsa
Not only i make my Husband's day but i also make my cousin's day when she got stranded in the airport due to not paying PTPTN for a year (poor her....)  and decided to join the party. So since her shopping spree in Thailand burnt out, i guess good food plus good company just make my husband's 40th birthday more awesome.  

Below are the recipes

Roast Leg of Lamb with Orange Juice and White Wine

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup orange juice (naval orange is the best ..very sweet)
• 1 cup white wine (choose good white wine , i used Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (6 pound) bone-in leg of lamb, trimmed (please choose good lamb, i used Australian lamb bought it @ Bangsar Village grocery shop & ask for fat-removed lamb)
• salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Place orange juice, white wine, olive oil, garlic, fresh thyme and rosemary, and pepper into a blender; mix. Pour into a large, resealable plastic bag, and add the lamb. Coat meat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
2. Remove the lamb from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before roasting. Pat dry with a paper towel. Generously salt and pepper both sides of the meat.
3. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Arrange two racks in the oven - a middle rack to hold the lamb, and a lower rack to hold a roasting pan to catch the drippings. Place the empty roasting pan in the oven while the oven is preheating.
4. Arrange meat directly on middle rack, fattiest side up so while the lamb cooks the fat will melt into the meat. Position roasting pan underneath meat to catch the drippings. Roast for 30 minutes, and then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads between 130 to 135 degrees F (54 to 57 degrees C), about 10 to 12 minutes per pound. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Traditional Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash pepper

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil; cook for 20-25 minutes or until very tender. Drain well. Add milk, butter, salt and pepper; mash until light and fluffy.

Mango Salsa

Ingredients

• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 fresh jalapeno chile pepper, finely chopped ( i replaced with 1 cili padi)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix mango, red bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno or cili padi, lime juice, and lemon juice. Cover, and allow to sit at least 30 minutes before serving.

So now you have the recipe, what are you waiting for..no excuses this time...  :-)