mutton mechoui

Ingredients for 8 to 10 people :

* choose half a side of mutton (shoulder and chops) weighing 3 to 31/2kg (6 lbs 10 oz to 8 ibs), rinse.

Mix together:

* 4 heaped soupspoonful of paprika * 1 teaspoonful of cumin * 100 g (4 oz) of melted butter * enough salt to season

Preparation: 

Spread the mutton with this mixture. Loosen some of the skin under the shoulder and put a little of this mixture inside. Cook in the oven with the fleshy side downwards. Add a glassful of water. Baste with the juices from time to time so that the meat does not go dry.

After about 2 hours’ cooking, turn the meat over and cook the other .side. Leave about 30 minutes in the oven and remove once you have checked that the flesh breaks easily in the fingers. Arrange on a dish without the gravy. Eat while piping hot, seasoned with cumin and salt.