It’s election day in Queensland where we live and for the first time in a long time, there’s a real choice between the parties. The conservatives (LNP) want to lease state-owned assets for 99 years and use the money to pay down debt and pay for infrastructure in roads, bridges and schools. The more liberal labor party (ALP) lost the last election for wanting to sell state assets so they are promising not to do that. The Greens (GRN) want to protect the reef and would like a 2-year test on daylight savings to maximise solar power during peak time and the Palmer United (PUP) wants to sort everything out but we haven’t learned just how yet. The polls predict that the current premier (like a governor), according to most of the polls, is set to lose his seat so everything is up in the air.
As I’m writing this post, it’s 30 minutes until the polls close and everyone I know will be watching the returns. It is expected that the LNP will retain government but with a greatly reduced margin. When I arrived at the polling booths I was met by supporters of all four parties who handed their ‘how to vote’ cards. I took them all and went inside with my ID. The ballot had 4 names and I only had to choose one, but I could number them one through four if I wished. That was it, all done. It took about a minute. Voting in Australia is compulsory and there’s a fine of more than $100 if you decide not to vote. Being able to vote is a wonderful thing and I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t vote when they can. It’s the best way to get good government.
Because I plan to be watching the election returns AND the Australian Open AND the Asian World Cup of soccer all at the same time tonight, I needed an easy recipe for dinner and a roast mini lamb rump couldn’t be easier, paired with some roasted potatoes, roast pumpkin and a bit of steamed broccoli.
We have John’s dad with us because he needed to vote too so we’ll all have lamb for dinner. Instead of one lamb rump, I’ll cook two so Rob can have his fill of real people food. The nursing home, if you remember, has either roast meat in gravy or quiche.
I made some shortbread earlier because he’s used to eating at 5:30pm and that’s too early for us. 7pm is dinner around here and no amount of fiddling seems to change that.
- 1 lamb rump, approximately 250 grams (about ½ pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves (1½ teaspoons freshly chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves (1 teaspoon freshly chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F
- Take the lamb out about 15 minutes before roasting to come to room temperature.
- Pat the lamb rump dry and stab slits in the meat and push a slice of garlic in each slit.
- Rub the lamb with the olive oil and sprinkle the herbs, salt and pepper over the meat.
- Place in a roasting pan about the size of the meat and pop it into the oven for 20 minutes for medium. (If your lamb rump is larger, you'll need to cook it longer. Medium should be between 65-70C/149-158F)
- Let the meat rest for 10-20 minutes covered with foil.
- Cut across the grain for tenderness (something I often get wrong) and serve with mint sauce or mint jelly.
I am adding this one to my list – I love cooking roasts, but I always end up with tons of leftovers because there’s just two of us. I love that this is a perfect size for two.
I like the size and the fact that there aren’t bones to cut around and it’s delicious. 🙂 Thanks, April!
I’ve been reading (pretty casually, I must admit) about your election. Sounds interesting! I agree with you on voting, and with it was compulsory in the US. Interestingly enough, some politicians are looking for ways to reduce voter turnout. Weird, but wrong IMO. Anyway, what a nice dinner! I love lamb, and you prepared it just right.
Perfect recipe for the perfect size roasts!! I love lamb, your plate looks delicious!! I talked to my friend that live in Knoxville, TN this morning and they had 6-7 inches of snow on the ground!! 🙂
You’re killing me here Maureen!! I’d rather have a lamb roast than a beef or pork roast any day and yours looks perfect!!
This lamb looks wonderful, Maureen. Rosemary and thyme are two of my favorite aromatics for lamb! Herbs de Provence mixed with dijon and olive oil is also a good smear for it!
I’d never heard that there was a fine for not voting in Australia! I’m always baffled by people who don’t vote. When I consider the bloodshed and struggle that has gone into earning the right to vote, I think it’s a small thing to ask in return.
Yep, this is a favourite in our house – even though it’s not compulsory to vote here in NZ, totally agree with you about voting.
Thanks for the clear & simple take of Australian politics Maureen….I am always confused & bamboozeled by the mire of lies. You said it so well :)) xx
I so rarely do a roast because I am normally just cooking for me. But this looks do-able without excessive leftovers and I do love a good roast.
I didn’t intend to watch the Queensland election but I flicked over to it during an ad break on another channel and got completely sucked in. It was just such a surprise result. I was watching the ABC and the ABC commentator Antony Green just looked stunned by the outcome.
I’ve heard the results of the election and the LNP certainly took a huge hit. Hadn’t the LNP only been in government for one term? I don’t believe in Australia that any party is being voted in at the moment – current governments are being voted out. It’s like a game of ping-pong and each time there’s an election the government changes. Love the look of the lamb xx
Voting is mandatory in Brazil, and in the case of Presidential elections I have to justify not voting. If a Brazilian consulate existed within 100 miles of my home, it would be mandatory for me too.
If you don’t vote, you can lose your job, and you won’t be able to renew a passport. Huge huge headache.
You made a great meal, as usual….
I’ve never worked out this having dinner mid-afternoon. Never ever before 1900, unless going to the theatre! Cracking Sunday roast.
What a beautiful lamb roast and just perfect for two. 🙂 We don’t have a lot of variety in lamb cuts available in the grocery store and the fresh lamb at the market is pretty pricey. I’m hoping to pick some up for Easter.
I wish voting was compulsory in Canada as well. So many people just don’t bother.
Interesting result for Queensland, Maureen… I know very little about the Qld politics, so cannot comment one way or the other, but do love your little roast. I wonder if lamb mini rump is the same as ‘nut of lamb’ that we can get here. Happy weekend love.
Politics, I actually have no idea about them. No idea at all.
But I do know when a dish looks good, even if it is meat – and this one certainly does!
Enjoy the Australian Open 😀
I know I am!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Very nice dinner !
I think is a good thing tha you must to pay if you are not going to vote ! I’m agree with you !
Have a nice weekend Maureen !
I have loved Roast Lamb since I first tasted it in France.
Love this recipe because now I can make it for just me with just enough left overs too – not to much; not too little.
All the right ingredients and quick and easy to make too. The perfect recipe!
Mouth Watering! I can eat lamb every day love it and this is amazing looking !
Looks like a fancy dinner to me, a delicious, fancy dinner, yum!
Simply delicious! I love rosemary and lamb together such a perfect combo and your lamb is cooked perfectly. Wow, I had not idea that voting was compulsory in Australia.
The Qld election result has certainly thrown a cat among the pigeons! Will make for interesting watching over the next few months. Can’t beat a lamb roast!
The Queensland election, the prime minister and his woes – I can’t stay away from #auspol. 🙂
You had a busy evening of TV watching – I hope all your sides came in as winners:) The boys were definitely winners on the dinner front.
Sunday roasts are always popular around here… this looks like a perfect meal! Good luck in your elections… hope your candidate wins. 🙂
Hi Maureen, lovely roast, my husband would absolutely love this. I did not know that you had to vote in Australia, very interesting.
I’m so with you on voting, Maureen. I think it is our obligation if we want to live in a democracy.
I’m quite with you on lamb, too. My favourite red meat.
I’m going to have to ask for a lamb rump to see what the equivalent is around here—Bill would love this meal!!! Perfectly cooked.
Very basic recipe. Just the way I love it 🙂 ‘Rubbing Rosemary and Thyme’ sounds aphrodisiac! “Lamb” sounds orgasmic indeed 🙂
-Sincerely yours,
Nusrat ( a die-hard fan and admirer of your bold, vivacious recipes)
What a great idea to fine people who don’t vote! Our last election had an 18% increase in voter turnout to a whopping 60%! It’s abysmal and shameful. We always vote (in fact, I think I only missed it once in all my years!). It’s probably the reason why I get chosen for jury duty so often (I was just recently called for the fourth time!).
The lamb looks beautiful and it’s so lovely that you are constantly considering Rob in this equation, he is very fortunate that he has you to look after feeding him.
Voting compulsory, that’s exactly what the U.S. should be doing. We have that right, so many ignore it and say their vote wouldn’t make a difference. I don’t get it. Your lamb sounds delicious, Maureen! The last time I had lamb, the cook had sprinkled onion soup mix over it. I haven’t eaten it since and should try this recipe! Thanks for it!
How could you be writing a post 30 minutes before voting closes? Hurry, hurry! I was fined once, most annoying fine ever. At least with parking fines, it was for a good cause. No vote fines are the worst ever.
You know, I’ve never made a mini lamb roast. That looks really good. Nice and lean. Thanks for the idea!! 🙂
I’d already voted but I couldn’t wait for the pundits to begin telling me their guesses on the results. “With .01% of the votes counted we think x will win in Fairfax.” 🙂
Dear Maureen,
That was certainly one busy Saturday night and our telly was working overtime too as we had a Socceroo party at home. I love those slices of garlic from a lamb roast and would pick from others who don’t eat it!
Damn delicious tender and moist lamb rump roast……
good job my friend!
I hope the election results were favorable for you. It is interesting idea to fine people who choose not to vote-I almost like the idea. The lamb looks really good. I hope you enjoyed a glass of wine with it.
Velva
Great cut of meat and just perfect for a roast Maureen. I wish voting wasn’t compulsory though, I hate hearing people brag about how they wasted their vote by donkey voting or such. If it was optional I feel that the people who really wanted change and were interested in things would be able to actually make it happen- regardless of political party affiliation 🙂
Simple and flavorful dinner. My family loves a good simple lamb just like this one.
Hope the elections went on well. $100 dollar fine, oh wow.
What a scrumptious roast! I am really excited to give this a try 😀
I was so excited to vote this year – for the first time in my life – only to arrive and find out I had received my residency too late and have to wait until next time. Sigh. Ah well. 🙂 I’ll get my chance one day!
hm voting is not compulsory in Austria, so around 60% turn up. Voting is compulsory in India and +80% is showing up. The latter example has serious truth problems, but I better not go into the details…
I have no clue how to cook lamb because I still have not dared it! It’s jsut not in and around me, I wouldn’t know where to get lamb. Your roast Maureen is perfectly pink and we would definitely enjoy it.
Everything about that dish screams delicious!
That is a lovely dinner Maureen. It’s hard to believe it can be that easy to present such an elegant meal. The photos are gorgeous too! Interesting information about your elections. I love that you explain it in terms Americans can understand – haha. I’ve never seen the mini roast but will be looking for one now!
I didn’t know voting was compulsory in Australia, how wonderful. I agree with John above. Some in US are going extraordinary lengths just to achieve the opposite.
The lamp raost looks incredible. Love the vegies along side it too.
oh my this dish is just screaming my name. There is nothing like the smell of a slow cooked roast. I love it and the flavors are spot on and yet simple
Perfect lamb roast and a well balanced meal. How thoughtful of you to make shortbread for John’s father to have at 5:30. I I too do not understand why everyone doesn’t vote when they can.
There is nothing more complimentary then lamb with garlic, rosemary and thyme! Another perfect dinner Maureen 🙂
What a piece of rump! And it looks might fine. Elections are interesting things. I’ve always believed that if you don’t vote you have no right to criticize. Now about those shortbreads?
This looks delicious. I’ve never had lamb rump roast. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in our markets. I’m going to have to take a look. At the very least, I’m now craving lamb so I’m going to have to get a leg or something.
I don’t know how I missed this post, but I saw it just now and let me say that roast is amazing! Only 20 minutes to cook?! I’m in heaven!
The lamb looks amazing; all the lamb we find here is from either Australia or New Zealand. I like making a roast but admit have not done it for a bit. Now I’m inspired!
Hi Maureen! If I had to give up all meat except one I would choose lamb to keep! This is my idea of a perfect dinner! I’m not politically affiliated, but I do believe that if you can be called to war and vote at 18 you should D## well be able to drink! Just my humble opinion.