Roast lamb with stem ginger, plums and port

Ingredients

30g/1oz stem ginger, drained and finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
30ml/2 tbsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1kg/2.2lb lean lamb leg joint
15 Victoria plums or similar, halved and stoned
300ml/½pint Port
30ml/1fl oz/2 tbsp stem ginger syrup

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. In a small bowl mix together the ginger, rosemary, garlic and oil.
3. Place the lamb on a chopping board, season and make several slits over the surface of the joint. Stuff with the rosemary and ginger rub.
4. Season and place on a metal rack in a large non-stick roasting tin and roast for about 1½ to 2 hours, depending on desired 'doneness', basting occasionally with any lamb juices.
5. 40 minutes before the end of cooking add the plums and the port. 20 minutes before the end of cooking glaze the joint with the stem ginger syrup.
6. Remove the lamb from the oven with half the plums and keep warm. To make the gravy: Spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and sieve the remaining plums, port and lamb juices into a pan. Season, if required.
7. Spoon a little over the lamb and serve the remaining sauce in a sauceboat.
8. Serve the joint with the remaining plums, roasted parsnips and seasonal vegetables.