Expert: Keith Patton - 3/23/2008

Question
I would like to cook a 10 lb. fresh ham along with 2, 4lb.
boneless legs of lamb at one time in my oven.  Because there is alot in the oven at one time, will i have to allow more time than the normal cooking time per pound?

Answer
Susan:

The best way to answere the question is this:  follow roughly the time and temperature recommendations for the cut of meat you are cooking, but go by the internal temperature of the individual cut, not by the absolute time per pound.  All ovens are different and unless the meat is at room temperature when you start(something not everyone does before they throw it in the oven) the time at temperature is going to be wrong anyway. So proceed as you would if only one cut was in the oven, but keep an eye on the internal temp with a meat thermometer.  Take it out just before it reaches the desired temp.  Remember the old adage: done in the oven, overdone on the table.  Meat continues to cook after you remove it from the oven, due to the interior heat in the meat.  So take it out a few degrees lower than your target temperature.  160 for the ham, and 145-155 for the lamb.

Keith