While a classic mint sauce has its place in our hearts as the only accompaniment to lamb, there is a whole world of exciting flavour combinations to make new matches with this versatile meat and bring a whole new dimension to your dinner table. Everything from warming Moroccan spices, and punchy chilli marinades to Asian style sauces compliment a wide variety of cuts of lamb to make your weekday supper a little more special.
Lamb is an incredibly tasty and easy meat to cook, especially for a quick midweek meal or when entertaining family and friends. As well as its incredible taste and flavour, lamb is a rich source of quality protein and is packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin B12 and zinc.
The versatility of lamb and its different cuts lends itself to many international dishes and flavours like wholesome Asian style soups, juicy spiced cutlets, hearty low and slow Moroccan dishes and Indian one-pot curries.
While the sight of a gorgeous leg of lamb arriving at the dining table will always be something to behold, get adventurous with your midweek meals and experiment with the joyous and mouth-watering new ways to cook, and enjoy, lamb.
Here are four international lamb recipes to match any occasion.
[ Japanese-style caramelised lamb cutletsOpens in new window ]
This is the perfect way to feast on deliciously tender and juicy lamb cutlets with sensational Japanese flavours like mirin, soy and sake. The marinade intensifies the flavour of the meat and combined with the grill cooking, you get an incredible balance of the distinctive sweet and sour classic taste, juicy meat and the smoky grill finish. You could serve them as cute little canapes, as a small portion starter or with udon noodles as a main meal.
Preparation time: 10 minutes (+ marinade 30 minutes)
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Click here for the full recipe, method and ingredients
[ Vietnamese soup with sliced fillet of lambOpens in new window ]
There is something incomparable about a wholesome broth or soup to soothe and nourish, and the addition of lamb to this Vietnamese soup makes it a showstopper. The gentle flavours aren’t too overpowering as there is no chilli, making it perfect for those who are not keen on spicy foods. The bean sprouts and coriander add a lip-smackingly fresh finish to this delicious soup which is topped off beautifully with the thin slices of lamb.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Click here for the full recipe, method and ingredients
[ Rack of Lamb with za’atar, seasonal vegetables and ginger sauceOpens in new window ]
Za’tar is a collective name for a variety of fragrant Middle Eastern spices that will turn the classic rack of lamb into an entirely new and memorable dish. It can mean a herb by itself, or a mixture of herbs, sesame seeds and salt. There are many variations so feel free to experiment until you find the right one for you. The combination of the deliciously spiced tender lamb with this cooling, yet zingy, ginger sauce with yoghurt makes for a wonderful Middle-Eastern inspired meal.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Click here for the full recipe, method and ingredients
[ Lamb yakitori with cubed leg of lambOpens in new window ]
These quick and easy Japanese style skewers are packed full of flavour and make the perfect party food that can be cooked on a griddle or barbecue. Yakitori is usually served as grilled, skewered chicken and is a hugely popular appetiser at Yakitori bars and casual restaurants in Japan, and very popular washed down with Japanese beer. Yakitori is often eaten with Tare (thick sweetened soy sauce) or simply seasoned with Shio (salt) is also very popular. This dish is all about enhancing the flavour of the meat itself and the variations in the recipe give you the chance to show it off to friends and family, a convenient and impressive way to entertain a crowd.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 6 to 8 minutes
Click here for the full recipe, method and ingredients
A sustainable industry: Did you know?
- Sheep/lamb can thrive in rural areas of Europe where cultivation would otherwise be difficult
- Sheep farming brings industry to rural areas and is an important source of income for local communities throughout Europe
- Sheep/lamb reared in the EU is a high quality natural product and full of flavour
Lamb – tasty, easy, fun! For more, see www.tastyeasylamb.ie/
