Timeline

1 Week or More Before Feast

■ Buy any items you need on Box Roasting Essentials and Outdoor Cooking Essentials lists.

Build or order your roasting box.

■ Order lamb (see Lamb Yields and Cooking Times).

■ Pick up charcoal or arrange for delivery.

3 Days Before Feast

■ Do your big grocery shop.

■ Make lemon curd.

2 Days Before Feast

■ Make granita.

■ Make compote.

1 Day Before Feast

■ Make wet rub.

■ Prep lamb.

■ Shell chickpeas for hummus.

■ Make flatbread dough.

■ Make tahini dressing for eggplant.

■ Fry garlic chips for eggplant.

FEAST DAY

Morning of Feast

■ Take lamb out of refrigerator to come to room temperature.

■ Stuff and wrap dates.

■ Make chickpea hummus.

■ Prepare cauliflower “couscous” (but do not cook).

5 to 6 Hours Before Feast

■ Build and light fire in roasting box.

5 Hours Before Feast

■ Apply wet rub and put lamb in box to cook.

2 Hours Before Feast

■ Make tabbouleh.

■ Grill eggplant.

■ Make whipped cream for lemon curd.

1 Hour Before Feast

■ Bake flatbread.

■ Cook dates.

30 Minutes Before Feast

■ Sauté cauliflower.

■ Assemble eggplant dish.

■ Remove lamb from box and place on cutting boards to rest.