Our best healthy lamb recipes

Source: Web exclusive, April 2011

Braised Lamb Shanks with Wine and Herbs

Although this recipe for braised lamb shanks contains tons of garlic, the long cooking time makes it unexpectedly mild and sweet.

Lamb Souvlaki

Barbecued or broiled, souvlaki is always a crowd pleaser, Greek or otherwise. Serve with salad, grilled vegetables, and rice, or in a pita wrap. However you serve it, don’t forget the tzatziki.

Teriyaki Lamb Chops

Yes, you can have lamb chops on a heart-healthy diet, provided you trim away the fat. These are juicy, bursting with flavour, and brightened with Asian accents. Pair the teriyaki lamb chops with warm noodles and a fresh salad.

Roasted Leg of Lamb Stuffed with Apple and Rosemary

Suitable for Sunday night dinner or hosting friends, the combination of flavours and textures in this tender roasted lamb stuffed with apple and rosemary make this dish delicious.

Apricot Lamb with Shredded Cabbage

Based on the Moroccan way of stewing meat with fruit, here lamb is marinated with mushrooms and herbs, then cooked slowly with dried apricots. Shredded cabbage and fresh mint enliven the couscous accompaniment.

Grilled Lamb with Warm Mint-Yogurt Potato Salad

While lamb’s flavour is a bit stronger than other meats, it makes a moist and delicious main course. And not all lamb is from New Zealand; we have wonderful fresh Canadian lamb available in grocery stores and butcher shops across the country.

Nut-free Parsley Pesto and Lamb Chops

This pesto made with parsley and sharp Pecorino Romano cheese makes a colorful topping for tender lamb chops. It could also be tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or mixed with cream cheese for a dip to serve with crudités.

Lamb Burgers with Fruity Relish

The advantage of making your own burgers is that you know exactly what’s in them. These lamb burgers look and taste better than the fast-food variety, while being a really healthy meal. A fruity relish of orange and raspberry adds a lovely fresh flavour.

Fragrant Lamb with Spinach

This enticingly fragrant lamb and spinach curry is warmly spiced rather than fiery hot with chilies. Serve it with basmati rice, chapatis or whole-wheat pita breads and a fresh tomato and cucumber salsa for a healthy Indian-style meal.

Old-Fashioned Shepherd’s Pie

In this version of the long-time family favourite, shepherd’s pie, the ground lamb filling contains plenty of vegetables and red lentils, giving a rich flavour and texture. A generous serving of peas will make this old-fashioned meal even more nutritious.

Leg of Lamb with Double Mint Sauce

Treat yourself to roast lamb! A small leg serves six, plus it’s extra lean and surprisingly low in fat. Leg of lamb deserves the crowning jewel of a fresh double mint sauce that can be prepared in minutes, yet tastes as if it took a lot of effort.

Indian Lamb with Spiced Lentils

Freshly ground spices make this Indian lamb curry fabulously fragrant, while spiced lentils give texture and substance, as well as extra good health. Serve with plain yogurt and saffron rice.

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