In the realm of culinary delights, spring lamb stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of delicate flavors and tender textures. This article presents a symphony of recipes that capture the essence of spring lamb, each dish a masterpiece in its own right. From the classic charm of Spring Lamb with Baby Greens to the vibrant allure of Spiced Lamb Chops, this collection of recipes promises a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds and nourishes the soul. These recipes celebrate the bounty of springtime, incorporating fresh, seasonal ingredients that elevate the lamb to new heights of flavor. Whether you seek a simple yet elegant main course or a side dish that steals the show, this article has something to satisfy every palate. Discover the art of cooking spring lamb and create dishes that will become cherished favorites for years to come.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SPRING LAMB SUPPER WITH BABY GEM, NEW POTATOES & PEAS
As winter comes to a close, celebrate the new season with this dish that is packed with all the flavors of spring.
Provided by Donal Skehan
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Season the lamb with salt and pepper and brown all over until just cooked, then remove to a plate and set aside.
- Add the potatoes to the pan and pour in the stock so it just covers the potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and add the butter, baby gem and peas. Fry in the buttery juices for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the vinegar and mustard. Return the lamb to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more to warm through. Serve sprinkled with the parsley.
GARLIC LAMB AND VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 2h50m
Yield 10 appetizer/hors d'oeuvre servings
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- Garlic Lamb: Combine the sugar, soy, garlic, cornstarch, and orange zest in a large bowl. Add the lamb and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours.
- Heat a wok over high heat. When the wok is hot, add 2 tablespoons of the peanut oil and heat until just smoking. Add the ginger, garlic, green onions, and red pepper flakes and stir-fry until fragrant, around 30 seconds.
- Add the lamb and stir-fry until well browned, about 5 minutes. Deglaze with the rice wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and bring to a simmer to thicken. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Drain the rice noodles and roughly chop. Set aside. Wipe out the wok and heat over high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons peanut oil and heat until just smoking. Add the mushrooms, onion, carrot, and bell pepper and stir-fry until the vegetables just begin to soften, but still have some crunch, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove the heat and cool.
- Combine the cooled vegetables, cooled lamb, reserved noodles, basil, sesame oil, and soy sauce and mix well.
- Place 1 egg roll wrapper on a flat surface in front of you with 1 point facing you so the wrapper is in a diamond shape. Make sure the unused wrappers are covered with a damp cloth. Brush all of the edges with egg wash. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of the filling about 1/3 of the way up the wrapper. Fold the point over the filling. Fold in the sides and then roll up. Press to seal. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. If you are going to hold these for a while before frying, dust with cornstarch so they don't get soggy.
- Preheat 3 inches of peanut oil in a deep pot to 360 degrees F. Fry the egg rolls, a few at a time, until golden brown on all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve whole or cut in half diagonally. If you want the halved rolls to stand up, Cut a small piece off either end with a serrated knife to make a flat surface. Serve with Sweet Chili Scallion Dipping sauce.
- Combine all the ingredients.
SPRING LAMB WITH ROSEMARY AND TURNIPS
For a fragrant spring meal, choose the tenderest cut of lamb, the rack, and roast it over rosemary branches as done in this recipe. Roast two racks for guests with heartier appetites, but one really is enough for four servings. You'll want to use small, sweet new turnips here, no bigger than Ping-Pong balls. But if you can't find them, use the smallest turnips available or cut medium turnips into wedges. And if your turnips don't have their tops, substitute them with spinach, mizuna or other tender cooking greens.
Provided by David Tanis
Time 2h
Yield 4 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Season lamb generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped rosemary, and rub the herbs into the surface of the lamb. Arrange rosemary sprigs on the bottom of a roasting pan. Lay lamb rack(s) over sprigs. Let meat come to room temperature before roasting.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Roast lamb, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 125 degrees (for medium-rare). Let rest on a cutting board.
- Put turnips in a wide medium saucepan over medium heat and cover with 1 inch of water. Season with salt, add butter and bring to a brisk simmer. When turnips are fork-tender, about 5 minutes, add greens and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 more minutes. If desired, bring the water to a boil and let evaporate. Let turnips brown slightly in the remaining butter, if you like.
- Cut lamb racks into 4 thick chops or 8 thin chops, slicing between the bones.
BRAISED LAMB SHANKS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES AND SPRING GREMOLATA
Provided by Joanne Weir
Categories Potato Braise High Fiber Father's Day Dinner Mint Carrot Spring Parsley Sugar Snap Pea Simmer Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- For lamb:
- Sprinkle lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper; dust with flour. Heat oil in heavy large deep pot over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, if necessary, add lamb to pot and cook until browned on all sides, turning often, about 10 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Add onions, carrots, and celery to same pot; sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; stir 1 minute. Stir in broth, wine, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves. Return lamb to pot; bring to boil (liquid may not cover lamb completely). Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until lamb is very tender and begins to fall off bones, turning occasionally, about 3 hours.
- Using tongs, transfer lamb to platter. Discard bay leaves and parsley sprigs. Spoon off fat from surface of pan juices; discard. Using immersion blender, puree pan juices until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Return lamb shanks to pan juices. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled.
- For gremolata:
- Mix all ingredients in small bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
- For vegetables:
- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add potatoes; cook until tender, about 18 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to medium bowl. Add carrots to same pot; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer carrots to bowl with potatoes. Add sugar snap peas to same pot; cook 1 minute. Drain. Add to bowl with potatoes and carrots. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
- Bring lamb and pan juices to simmer over medium heat until heated through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add all vegetables; sauté about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer lamb and pan juices to large platter or bowl. Surround with vegetables; scatter pea tendrils over vegetables. Sprinkle lamb with gremolata and serve.
- Ingredient tip:
- Green garlic has a more delicate flavor than mature garlic. The tops of green garlic look like green onions; the root ends are white and light purple. Look for green garlic at farmers' markets during the spring months.
SPRING LAMB WITH BABY GREENS
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories dinner, roasts, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield Six to eight servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Steam two-thirds of the spinach for a few minutes, or until it is just wilted. Rinse under cold running water. Squeeze out all of the excess water and chop coarsely. Put the chopped spinach in a large bowl, add the rest of the stuffing ingredients and mix well.
- Steam the remaining spinach leaves along with the dandelion leaves and chicory until barely wilted. Rinse under cold running water until cool. Pat dry and set aside.
- Lay the leg of lamb, fat side down, on a flat surface. Spread the stuffing over the meat. Starting with the smallest end, roll up the meat lengthwise like a jellyroll. Tie it tightly with butcher's string.
- Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it is hot. Carefully put the lamb in the skillet and sear it on 4 sides, about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown all over.
- Lower the heat, take the leg out of the pan and set it aside. Gently scrape any burned pieces or fat from the bottom of the pan and discard. Add the vinegar and wine. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer until it reduces to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and apple cider. Put the lamb back into the skillet. Drape the greens on top of the meat, crosswise. Lay the remaining greens in the bottom of the pan. Set the pan in the oven and roast the lamb for 30 minutes, basting continually.
- Turn the lamb over, add the parsnips to the skillet and continue to roast for an additional 20 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer in the large end of the leg. The thermometer should read 125 degrees for rare meat, or 130 degrees for medium rare. Let the lamb rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. Keep the greens and parsnips warm and serve alongside the sliced lamb.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 287, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 30 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 436 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEG OF LAMB WITH GREENS
This recipe is from chef James Botsacos of Molyvos in New York City. Serve this satisfying and elegant dish with Okra, Onion, and Tomato Stew and Phyllo Rolls with Wild Greens for a classic Greek meal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Lamb Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large skillet, heat 1/3 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add fennel bulb, and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 3 minutes. Add scallions and chopped garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add greens, and cook, stirring, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and season with fennel seeds and pepper to taste. Stir in mint. Transfer to a bowl until cooled completely.
- Crumble feta cheese over cooled greens; stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Place lamb on a clean work surface. Season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Spread greens over lamb in an even layer. Roll lamb, starting at narrow end, to enclose filling. Using kitchen twine, tie lamb lengthwise and crosswise at 1-inch intervals. Rub with remaining tablespoon oil; season with salt, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Make four small slits in lamb, and insert the garlic quarters. Place the lamb in a roasting pan that just holds it comfortably. Roast for 25 minutes.
- Add wine, and reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees. Continue roasting, basting frequently with pan juices, 45 to 65 minutes (or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the lamb registers 125 degrees for medium-rare). If the roasting pan becomes dry, add a little water or chicken stock.
- Remove lamb from oven, and cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 15 minutes. Remove twine from lamb before slicing. Strain pan drippings, skimming fat from the surface; drizzle pan juices over lamb. Serve with okra stew and phyllo rolls, if desired.
SPRING LAMB IN HERBS
Any tender herb or green can be used in this riff on a traditional Georgian spring dish. Try all or a combination of the following: cilantro, tarragon, mint, basil, dill, chives, watercress, and sorrel. In Georgia they add fresh sour plums to the dish, but preserved lemons work just as well.
Provided by Olia Hercules
Categories Easter Coriander Fennel Cilantro Dill Tarragon Green Onion/Scallion Lemon Garlic Lamb Potato Ukraine Spring Dinner Entertaining Georgia
Yield 8-10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Toast coriander and fennel seeds in a dry small skillet over medium-low heat, tossing occasionally, until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
- Coarsely chop cilantro leaves and tender stems (you'll get about 2 cups) and transfer to a large bowl. Coarsely chop dill leaves and tender stems (you'll get about 2 cups) and add to bowl with cilantro. Pick leaves from tarragon bunches (do not chop; you'll get about 1 cup) and add to bowl; discard stems. Add scallions and toss to combine. Transfer 2 cups herb mixture to a small bowl, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and chill until ready to use. Transfer remaining herb mixture to a food processor. Add coriander and fennel seeds, preserved lemons, garlic, 1/4 cup oil, and 2 tsp. kosher salt. Purée until a paste forms.
- Roll out a piece of foil that's more than double the length of a rimmed baking sheet. Center foil on baking sheet, then place lamb on foil. Rub lamb all over with herb paste. Bring up foil around lamb and wrap tightly to seal. Roast until lamb is super tender and is falling off the bone, 4-4 1/2 hours. (It's important that you don't open the foil packet once sealed. To check the meat, slide a skewer or small knife through the top of the foil; the meat should yield and shred easily.)
- Meanwhile, place potatoes in a large pot. Pour in water to cover; season with salt. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a medium bowl.
- Unwrap lamb (juices will run everywhere, so be careful to make sure they stay on the baking sheet) and let cool 20 minutes. Transfer lamb to a cutting board. Pull meat off bone and shred into pieces. Return meat to baking sheet and toss in herby juices.
- Transfer lamb to a platter. Pour juices over lamb and potatoes. Top lamb with reserved herb mixture. Drizzle lamb and potatoes with oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with sea salt.
Tips:
- Choose high-quality lamb: Opt for pasture-raised, organic, or grass-fed lamb for the best flavor and nutritional value.
- Don't overcook the lamb: Lamb is a delicate meat, and overcooking can make it tough and dry. Cook it to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare or 160°F (71°C) for medium.
- Sear the lamb before roasting: Searing the lamb helps to create a flavorful crust and lock in the juices. You can do this in a skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes per side.
- Use a variety of herbs and spices: Lamb pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, garlic, oregano, mint, cumin, and coriander. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.
- Roast the lamb with vegetables: Roasting lamb with vegetables is a great way to create a complete meal. Vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsnips pair well with lamb.
- Make a flavorful sauce: A flavorful sauce can help to enhance the taste of the lamb. You can make a simple sauce by combining olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices.
Conclusion:
Spring lamb with baby greens is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. By following these tips, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your guests. Lamb is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Roasting is a classic method that produces tender and juicy results. When roasting lamb, it is important to choose a high-quality cut of meat and to cook it to the proper temperature. Lamb pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, so feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations. With a little planning and effort, you can create a delicious and memorable spring lamb dish.
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