The Benefits of Grassfed Lamb

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To locate a farmer that sells truly pasture-raised grassfed meats see Resources below. The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook: Healthy Cooking and Good Living with Pasture-Raised Foods, by Shannon Hayes (Ten Speed Press, 2005, $22.95) is an excellent primer on how to purchase, store and use all types of grassfed meats. It also includes a list of farmers.

Unlike factory-farmed meat, grassfed meat is often a seasonal product, and it's time for lamb. For thousands of years, lamb has been served in the spring to celebrate the birth of the new growing season. Not only is lamb traditional, it is delicious and easy to prepare.

Lamb is the meat from a young sheep and has a gamier flavor than beef or pork. Most cuts of lamb benefit from quick-cooking dry-heat methods such as grilling or pan searing. A quick sprinkle of salt and pepper on lamb rack, breast and loin and a hot frying pan are all you need to make a delicious dinner. The leg and shoulder work well when roasted whole in the oven. The exception to the dry heat rule is the shank, which needs to be braised to become tender.

The following recipes are reprinted with permission from The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook. For more information, see www.eatingfresh.com.

Lamb and Feta Sandwiches
Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 sweet green or red pepper, diced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground lamb
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 cups fresh spinach, or 10 ounces frozen, thawed and drained
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Pita, sliced whole wheat bread or English muffins

Method
Sauté the onion, garlic and diced pepper in olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan until the onions are translucent. Add the ground lamb, salt, pepper and oregano. Sauté until lamb browns, 5 to 7 minutes, add the spinach; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the feta cheese, sautéing another 3 to 5 minutes, or just until slightly melted but fully incorporated.