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1
Preparing the grill and the soup ingredients: About 30 minutes before cooking, prepare a charcoal fire, letting the coals burn until they are covered with a gray ash and are medium-hot.
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2
Bank the coals on 2 sides of the lower grate to prepare for the indirect cooking that follows.
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3
In a 12 by 9-inch, heavy-duty aluminum-foil pan (or something similar), combine the potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, garbanzo beans, and epazote.
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4
Position the pan in the center of the lower grate and surround with the coals.
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5
Pour water into the pan to about 1-inch from the top (it'll take about 5 cups).
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6
Position the cooking grate 8 inches above the coals and set an oven thermometer on it, if you have one.
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7
Grilling the meat: Sprinkle the lamb liberally with salt.
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8
Lay the roast in the center of the cooking grate directly over the soup, cover the grill, and cook, maintaining a moderately low temperature (between 250 and 300 degrees F), checking every 30 minutes and adding coals as needed.
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9
The lamb will be beautifully smoky-roasted, it'll register about 170 degrees F on a meat thermometer and be fall-apart tender in about 2 1/4 hours.
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10
Be sure to check the slow-simmering soup that's capturing all those lamb juices periodically, to ensure the liquid level remains more or less the same, adding more water if it's needed.
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11
Finishing the dish: With a couple of meat forks or spatulas, remove the roast to a platter.
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12
Sprinkle with salt and let rest, tented with foil, in a warm place for about 20 minutes.
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13
Meanwhile, with the precision of a steady-handed circus performer, carefully remove the pan of soup from the bottom of the grill.
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14
Skim off the fat that is floating on the surface, then taste and season with salt, usually about 3/4 teaspoon.
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15
Stir in the cilantro and finely chopped chipotle and ladle into small, warm soup cups.
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16
Scrape the salsa into a serving dish and sprinkle with cheese.
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17
Remove the string from the lamb.
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18
Slice the lamb into good, thick slabs and arrange on a warm platter that's lined or decorated with parsley, banana leaves, or lemon leaves.
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19
Strew the olives around the platter and carry to the table with a flourish.
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20
Serve each guest a cup of soup, and pass the meat, salsa, and lots of warm tortillas for everyone to make delicious soft tacos.