Roast Lamb with Star Anise & Chilli

1. Heat your oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7. Unwrap the meat. Pat it dry and put it in a roasting tin. Let it get up to room temperature.

2. Finely grind the star anise using a spice or coffee grinder, or a pestle and mortar. Alternatively, pound it in a metal bowl with the bottom of a jam jar to crush it as much as you can.

3. Mix the star anise with the chilli flakes. Use a pinch for milder heat or more than 1 tsp for a good kick.

4. Massage the spices all over the lamb. Tuck some into the little grooves where the meat has been rolled, too, if you can. Dust a little sea salt and pepper over the top and drizzle with 1 tbsp oil.

5. Once the meat is at room temperature, slide into the centre of the oven. Roast for 20 mins.

6. Lower the heat to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Roast for a further 45 mins. Set the lamb aside to rest for at least 30 mins before carving.

7. Just how you like it^ The meat will be a little pink in the centre. If you like well-done lamb, arrange carved slices in a baking dish, slightly overlapping. Pour some of the pan juices over.Cover with foil. Cook in the oven for 10-15 mins or till the meat is done to your liking.

8. All gravy^ The pan juices are stunning on their own – simply drizzle over the carved meat. If you want a proper gravy, sizzle 4 tbsp of the pan juices with 250ml red wine and 1 tsp honey till rich and flavourful, adding more wine, honey or pan juices as you fancy.

9. Any leftovers?^ Shred the lamb and stir through our Any Veg Lentils with Cumin Yogurt recipe. You will find it at abelandcole.co.uk/recipes