Served lamb lately? Have you ever tasted lamb? Most Americans who do eat lamb eat it this time of year for the springtime holiday. Americans only eat 0.8 pounds of lamb each year and probably know very little about it. Here is information to help you get more familiar with lamb.
Lamb is meat from a sheep less than one year old, and is very different from mutton, which is from an older sheep. Young lamb will be tender and have a mild flavor. The good news is, lamb is also lean. An average three-ounce serving of lamb only has 175 calories and meets the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for lean meat. The leanest cuts of lamb include some of the more popular cuts - lamb chops and leg-of-lamb.
Lamb is naturally a nutrient-dense food, making it a smart choice for health-conscious consumers. It is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc and selenium. And also a good source of iron and riboflavin.
The flavor of lamb is mild, with a slight sweet taste. Cooking lamb properly is key in getting a product newcomers will find enjoyable. The preferred cooking method for lamb chops and leg-of-lamb are to grill, broil or oven-roast. Most lamb lovers prefer medium-rare to medium doneness. To get the best results, use a meat thermometer to determine the desired doneness of lamb:
- Medium-rare (145 degrees)
- Medium (160 degrees)
- Well-done (170 degrees)
Lamb pairs well with a variety of flavors and seasonings. Enhance the delectable flavor of lamb with the following flavor suggestions:
- Seasonings: cracked black pepper, garlic pepper or salt, seasoning salt
- Jellies: mint or red currant
- Herbs: garlic, mint, rosemary, oregano or lemon thyme
- Fruits: lemon or orange
Lamb with Cucumber-Mint Salsa
Serves 4.
All you need:
- 2 tbsp Hy-Vee Select olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 (4-oz each) lamb chops, 1-inch thick
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Hy-Vee sugar
- Pinch cayenne or ground red pepper
All you do:
- Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium (300 to 350 degrees).
- In a small bowl combine oil, garlic, half the mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Brush on both sides of chops.
- Grill chops 10 to 14 minutes for medium-rare (145 degrees) or to desired doneness, turning once halfway through grilling.
- For salsa, in a medium bowl combine cucumber, vinegar, sugar, cayenne and remaining mint. Serve with chops.
Nutrition facts per serving: 385 calories, 19g fat, 6g saturated fat, 145mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 17g protein.
Source: Try-Foods International.
