Looking for a fresh idea for date night? Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to create a memorable evening, crafting a delicious lamb dinner is a surefire way to impress your significant other this season.
This lighter take on a roast dinner for two will give you the same comforting flavours but with a much simpler way to whip it up! This meal only takes about 30 minutes to make, meaning less time in the kitchen and more time to spend with your special someone.
These pan-seared lamb chops offer a blend of tender lamb with a homemade sauce that’s sure to impress, especially exquisite for special occasions. Your partner will think you’ve been spent all day creating this special meal but don’t worry, we won’t tell them how easy it was. The step-by-step guide ensures even novice chefs can create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of their home.
Air Fryers have been all the rage in the kitchen in the last few years. Try this Air Fryer Rack of Lamb recipe! It promises a succulent and delicious meal, ready in under 25 minutes, with minimal cleanup. Perfect for any night of the week, this dish combines the ease of air frying with the rich flavors of lamb, rosemary, thyme, and garlic, finished with a touch of olive oil.
Give casual date night a fun new twist with lamb! Grilling pizza adds a nice smoky flavour and chars the crust for a crisp and tasty finish. The best part about this recipe is that you can easily customize it to your loved one’s liking. Make sure not to miss out on the delicious Lamb sausage though because it’s bringing the spice back to date night.
This dish pairs really well with Indian Pale Ales, the bitter hops of IPAs will add an extra delicious kick to any spicy dish. If you like milder flavours, try it with a light lager instead. Read our Ultimate Beer + Lamb Pairing Guide for more information on enjoying beer with lamb this season.
Cooking a lamb dinner for two is not just about the delicious flavors; it’s about creating a memorable experience. With some simple planning, a touch of creativity, and a dash of love, you can transform your meal into a culinary adventure both you and your partner will appreciate for a lifetime.
We know many of you are celebrating Ramadan again and at Westfine Meats it is important to support Eid al-Fitr as our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and respect for different faiths and traditions.
Many abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from sunrise to sunset with intention to strengthen one’s faith and practice self-discipline. Ramadan is also about family and togetherness. Muslims often end their fasts with their families, sharing meals and spending quality time together.
Here are some delicious ways to prepare our nutritious Certified Halal Lamb to enjoy with friends and family in the breaking of fast and appreciating life’s blessing.
After a long day of fasting, this homemade dish can be prepared quick and easy. Perfect as the main protein or an addition to your spread for a nourishing meal.
This recipe may take a little longer but the preparation is easy and cooked all in one pan. It uses our flavourful shoulder chops, great cooked low and slow. The finished result is a delectably tender, juicy protein. Change up the seasoning easily with this versatile cut.
Imagine this beautifully presented lamb leg at a table surrounded by loved ones breaking fast with you. Enjoy it with your favourite roasted vegetables and a Brown Butter Rice tossed with dried apricots and toasted pecans for a warming feast. You won’t only be feeding your bellies but also your heart with long-lasting memories.
This dish would be especially great for Eid with its fresh flavors for a wholesome start to your day. It tastes just as good served hot or cold, meaning you can prepare it ahead of time. The recipe has no fussy preparations and cooks in only 35 minutes, leaving you more time to spend celebrating.
We hope Westfine can make Ramadan and Eid even more special for you this year by bringing you the best quality meat, helpful tips, and recipes to create healthy and delicious meals now and for many years to come. Have a blessed Ramadan.
As the colder months settle in, there’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of a hearty home-cooked meal. And what better way to spend a winter evening than with the rich and succulent taste of lamb? Sungold Meats has curated a collection of mouthwatering crockpot lamb recipes that are sure to impress your family and bring a touch of luxury to your cold-weather dining.
Eastern cultures have been slow cooking lamb for centuries with spices and fruit in hot clay pots called Tajines. The crockpot is the modern day alternative to recreate a Tajine in the household. This recipe takes about 4 hours to cook with a 20 minute prep time. As it cooks, the lamb becomes a melt-in-your-mouth tender as it simmers in the crockpot, infusing your kitchen with the irresistible scent of a comforting winter classic.
Thyme and Balsamic Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks Little effort for a lot of great taste! This recipe is packed full of flavour. For these lamb shanks, you quickly sear everything off in a pan, pile it into the slow cooker, and then you’re done! Your guests will be so impressed and never know how little effort it took to make this delicious meal!
Braised lamb shanks Lamb shanks are an inexpensive cut of meat, making it perfect for the slow cooker. Pick a slow Sunday afternoon to try this recipe out. You want to take your time cooking, while enjoying a glass of wine or two waiting for its arrival.
Discover warm and fragrant Persian flavors with slow cooking. Cook your lamb shanks in persian spices, saffron, lemon juice and herbs makes a spectacular feast. The lamb, soft and juicy in an amazingly delicious sauce, can also be cooked in an oven or crock-pot.
Westfine Meats offers premium lamb cuts that enhance the culinary experience of every home cook. These crockpot lamb recipes are designed to not only keep you warm during the colder months but also to elevate your winter dining with the finest flavors and textures, with little effort!
Visit Westfine Meats website to explore these recipes and more. Make this winter memorable with the delicious and heartwarming taste of Sungold’s premium lamb.
Eid al-Adha, also known as Qurbani Eid, is a significant festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Qurbani, or Udhiya, means sacrifice and is the tradition of sacrifice and sharing with family, friends, and those in need. This joyous occasion holds great religious and cultural importance, commemorating the spirit of sacrifice, generosity, and devotion. Eid al-Adha allows Muslims to reflect upon the values of compassion, generosity, and unity while deepening their connection with Allah (“God” in Arabic) and their fellow human beings.
At Westfine Meats it is important to support Eid for several reasons. By recognizing and supporting Eid, Westfine Meats demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and respect for different faiths and traditions. This inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging and goodwill among its diverse customer base.
Eid al-Adha is observed on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, following the completion of Hajj. The key ritual of Qurbani involves the sacrifice of an animal, such as a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. This act serves as a symbolic gesture of sacrifice, humility, and gratitude towards Allah. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three equal parts, as per the Islamic mandates. Muslims donate a third of the meat from the sacrifice to the poor and needy, they gift a third of it to friends and relatives, and the last third is retained for use by their immediate family.
The date of the celebration is determined by the sighting of the moon, as per the Islamic calendar. In 2023, Eid al-Adha is predicted to be celebrated on Wednesday the 28th of June. To confirm the exact date, individuals and Islamic authorities keep an eye out for the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of the lunar month. Once the moon is sighted, people begin preparations for the festivities.
This joyous festival serves as a reminder of the devotion demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim and encourages Muslims to emulate his unwavering faith. This is a time for families and communities to come together in celebration. Relatives and friends gather to perform prayers at the mosque, exchange heartfelt greetings, and enjoy festive meals. The occasion strengthens family bonds and encourages forgiveness and reconciliation.
During Qurbani Eid, the act of Qubrani or Udhiya (sacrificial harvest) customarily involves a dedication of the sacrifice to the name of a family member or friend for the sake of their health and blessings. Then the animal is slaughtered by hand while invoking the name of Allah (“Bismillah Allahu Akbar”) while the animal faces towards Qibla. As a result, Westfine Meats ensures that when our customers get their lamb it has been specifically blessed in the name they have requested. It’s a rigorous and well-organized process in which we track every single lamb and the customer for whom they are blessed, to ensure that they end up with their lamb.
Ramadan is a month of fasting and spiritual reflection observed by Muslims all over the world. During this month, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from sunrise to sunset. It is a time to strengthen one’s faith, practice self-discipline, and engage in acts of charity and kindness.
Ramadan is also a time for family values and togetherness. Muslims often break their fast with their families and loved ones, sharing meals and spending time together. It is a time to connect with family, friends, and the community, and to appreciate the blessings of life.
Food plays a significant role in Ramadan, as Muslims break their fast with a meal called iftar. It is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy delicious and nutritious food after a long day of fasting. Lamb is a popular choice for iftar meals as it is a great source of protein and essential nutrients. These five lamb recipes using our certified halal lamb are not only nutritious and flavorful but also perfect for celebrating Ramadan with family and loved ones.
Lamb Kofta with Veggie Couscous Salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a Ramadan iftar. This recipe features juicy and flavorful kofta made with Sungold Meats ground lamb. The kofta is grilled and served with a fresh and colorful veggie couscous salad that complements the dish perfectly.
These Curried Lamb Kabobs with Biryani Rice are a tasty and satisfying meal that is perfect for either suhoor or iftar and will give you the energy you need during the long day of fasting. The lamb kabobs are marinated in a delicious blend of spices and yogurt, giving them a juicy and tender texture. They are then grilled to perfection and served with biryani rice, a fragrant and flavorful rice dish.
Braised Lamb with Capers, Lemon, and Olives is a hearty and delicious dish that is perfect for a special iftar meal. The lamb is braised in a flavorful broth with capers, lemon, and olives, giving it a tangy and savory taste. It is served with couscous or rice, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
Lamb Kabobs with Mango Apple Salad is a quick refreshing meal that is made in 25 minutes perfect for after a long day. The lamb kabobs are marinated in a mixture of spices and yogurt, giving them a delicious and tender texture. They are then grilled to perfection and served with a sweet and tangy mango apple salad, making it a perfect balance of flavors.
Pistachio Lime Crusted Rack of Lamb is an elegant and sophisticated dish that is perfect for a special iftar meal. The rack of lamb is coated in a pistachio and lime crust, giving it a crunchy and flavorful texture. It is then roasted to perfection and served with a side of roasted vegetables, making it a delicious and complete meal.
This holiday season is a time to create unforgettable memories with the people you love. Invite friends and family over to your house or apartment and get the party started. Or, treat yourself to a gourmet dining experience and enjoy some much-needed alone time, maybe by your fireplace.
In need of some inspiration? That’s why we’re here! We’ve put together a list of lamb recipes to try out this holiday season.
Honestly, hearty rack ribs make the best centrepiece for dinner tables during the holidays. This year, try Sungold’s signature Coffee Rubbed Lamb Ribs. The flavour-packed coating is a blend of espresso, chilli powder, brown sugar, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. The brown sugar and espresso flavours will complement your selection of holiday drinks like hot chocolate or eggnog.
Simple, but a classic! Roasted lamb with potatoes, carrots, and peas is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that will be sure to impress your guests. You will find this dish to be a classic because it is full of flavour and it’s so easy to make. Lambs are naturally packed with flavour, so we don’t have to add a lot of seasoning to the meat itself. The carrots and peas add a slight sweetness to the dish and the herbs bring all the flavours together.
This dish is perfect for a special occasion or even a simple weeknight meal if you feel like getting a bit of a festival this holiday season. It can be served with a variety of sides, but we like to keep it simple with some mashed potatoes and a green salad.
Roasted lamb with carrots and peas is a dish that you will want to make again and again. It’s flavorful, it’s easy, and it’s absolutely delicious!
Sweet potatoes are a staple holiday flavour. They make for a flavourful bowl with lamb and mushrooms. It’s a comforting wintertime dish!
This recipe is flavour-packed and an instant hit, but it’s possible to make in just 30 minutes. Throw it into bowls for a casual last-minute get-together, or serve on your best plates at your more fancy planned events.
This recipe requires ground lamb, which you can purchase premade! Sungold has lean ground lamb in our Lamb Tonight line.
Chestnut and cranberry are some classic holiday flavours. Together with lamb, they make a scrumptious holiday stew to enjoy by the fire. This recipe uses diced lamb shoulder or leg, which is cooked with shallots, mushrooms, and tomatoes, with fresh cranberries, chestnuts and a touch of thyme. To round out the dish, add a side of creamy mashed potatoes, and you’ll have a perfect winter meal.
5. Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Pine Nuts
Stuffing is arguably the best part of any holiday dinner. Take your meals to the next level and make a Stuffed Leg of Lamb – but this time with Christmas stuffing! Take our classic recipe, and replace it with some delicious holiday stuffing. The stuffing creates a fragrant, scrumptious filling on the inside of the lamb while the meat remains moist and tender. This roasted leg of lamb is easy to make, beautiful to look at, and sure to impress any dinner guest.
Treat your family to a holiday dinner that demands to be remembered. Provide a warm, gourmet meal and compliment it with a glass of Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. It is sure to be a hit with the entire family. If you’re looking for wines to pair, check out our Ultimate Wine Pairing Guide.
We saved the most holiday-themed for last! Your winter holiday is not complete without a gourmet Skillet Lamb Roast. The prep time is only ten minutes and gives you and your guests 50 minutes of cook time to hang out, relax, and enjoy a drink or two by the fire. If your guests hadn’t seen you put it in the oven ten minutes earlier, they might think you ordered this in from a gourmet restaurant down the block.
If you’ve got extra time on your hands and want to make it even more gourmet, make your own sauce by following a Cognac Sauce recipe! Nothing beats the complex flavours of homemade sauces.
What are you waiting for? Pick up some Sungold Lamb, grab your skillet, and get roasting!
You know what goes well with Christmas? Mint. Do you know what goes well with mint? Lamb, actually. The flavours are extremely complementary. Combined together, minced lamb, green onions, mint, garlic, and black pepper make a scrumptious filling for pastry bites.
This is a gourmet twist on the holiday classic ‘pigs in a blanket’. Sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with creamy cilantro yogurt, this is the perfect appetizer to bring to a potluck or get-together.
The recipe calls for Merguez sausage, and you’re in luck. Sungold’s Lamb Tonight line has a Merguez sausage ready-made for you to use.
The recipe we linked uses ground beef, but our Lamb Tonight meatballs are an easy sub-in. Using Lamb Tonight products streamlines the process since they come pre-made, seasoning and all.
Of course, if you’re someone who loves making everything from scratch, you can use our lean ground lamb and make the meatballs yourself.
So many classic holiday meals could be taken to the next level with lamb subbed in over other meats. Get experimental with this season’s holiday meals and pick up some Alberta-raised lamb!
Regarding environmentalism, there are a few things that everyone can do to help out. One of those things is by making environmentally-conscious choices about the food you’re purchasing. After all, the food you eat every day has a massive impact on the environment! If you’re interested in sustainable food, a great first step is supporting local farms. Locally-sourced food is a huge part of environmental sustainability and an easy way for you to help reduce your carbon footprint.
Supporting local farms means buying from food producers who are geographically close to you. If you’re in Alberta, then every time you buy Westfine Meats you’re supporting local farms: all of Westfine’s producers are working hard across the prairies of Alberta.
Buying local produce and meats is really in your best interest:
Local meats are fresher. Transporting food over long distances means a lot of food spoils along the way.
Buying local offers you reassurance. You know the source of your food: you can be assured that the producers are humane.
Local meats are affordable. By cutting out the middleman, Westfine can offer you some great deals on its products.
How Does Supporting Local Farms Help The Environment?
Reduce Emissions from Transport
Supporting local farms means that you are buying your food from someone who is nearby, thus reducing the amount of transportation (and gas) required to transport that food to your table. A reduction in fuel used to transport the meat also means a reduction in the number of fossil fuels being used and subsequently released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.
Farmers as Stewards of the Land
Alberta has a long history of innovation and sustainability in farming. Alberta’s land supports many diverse farming industries, including livestock production, beef, wheat, canola, barley and sugar beets. This diversity provides stability and opportunities for Alberta farmers to innovate. Albertan farmers are stewards of Alberta’s land. Farmers who adhere to sustainable farm practices are concerned with improving soil quality, conserving soil and water, protecting air quality, and minimizing their use of fossil fuels and nonrenewable resources. Farming also ensures the land’s continued maintenance and use and protects it from new developments or growing urban sprawl.
Support Animal Welfare
Sustainable farmers prioritize the treatment of their livestock. For example, all of Westfine’s lamb is Halal-certified and all of our producers center the humane treatment of animals in their practices. This means animal welfare is central at all animal life stages. From birth to harvest, every lamb is raised with love, care, and respect.
What are the benefits of supporting local farms?
Supporting local is all about supporting local workers and building community. The money that you spend on local food and goods goes right back into your community instead of going to a huge corporation’s pockets. This ultimately contributes to the local economy, creating more jobs and income. You’re not just supporting the environment, but your local community as well!
And, who can resist supporting family farms? You get to know the people behind your food, and you know that you’re buying your food from someone who cares about it as much as you do. Meet some of Westfine’s farmers:
Polson’s Farm
Tees, Alberta
Nathanael and Christine Polson and their four children Karina, Natalea, Jenica and Wyatt have been farming since 2000. As any farmer knows, farming can be full of ups and downs and the Polsons are no strangers to that. Nathanael credits the support of his family and neighbours for the success and longevity of his farm.
CJ & Jolanda Ten Haaf have been dedicated to lamb farming in Canada for the past 10 years, and believe in a prosperous future for Canadian Lamb farming. They know that consumers are looking for locally produced food, and are committed to providing that for Albertans.
Westfine supports Local Businesses throughout Western Canada!
Westfine participates in many programs to help build and sustain buy local initiatives. Westfine strongly believes that in order to support our farmers we also need to support our local butcheries and family-owned restaurants. We work closely with over 50 small businesses to distribute our products to ethnic communities throughout Canada and to help support local businesses.
Localize your food program
Localize program allows consumers to quickly gain in-store access to transparent information on product origins. In a time when consumers are demanding accurate and reliable information about the food products they buy and eat, Westfine strives to provide the best product to meet consumer needs. Westfine strongly believes that through authentic engagement we can empower consumers to make the best decisions both for their health and their lifestyle.
Where can I Buy Locally Produced Lamb?
One way Well, one way is by buying Westfine Meats! Westfine Meats are available at a variety of grocery stores across the province. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we make sure that every part of the Lamb gets used. We have everything from classic favourites like lamb legs, rack, and loins, to delicacies like sundries and offals.
Get your SunGold Premium Lamb at one of these fantastic locations near you!
At Westfine Meats Inc., we stand behind our Art, Science, and Design of Great Tasting Lamb. As a fully vertically integrated company, we breed and select the highest quality lambs finished on a grain diet to provide a slightly milder taste and a higher meat-to-bone ratio. We utilize innovative processing and packaging technologies to provide better yields and enhance the colour, tenderness, and juiciness of our product, maximizing quality and consistency.
The Art.
The art comes from all the individual processes that must work in synchronization to build a successful product. We recognize that to achieve the perfect product we require the input and variety of experiences from our farms all the way to our customers. We rely on our farms to breed healthy and stress-free livestock, promote growth and maintain an environment that is sustainable. This can be especially difficult in the climate of Canadian winters when conditions are far from ideal. We also work extensively with producers across western Canada which we refer to as our“ Growth Group”. With this group, we aim to provide extensive support and create uniformity and consistency within our product offerings.
The Science.
Utilizing revolutionary technologies, we can ensure a humane crop cycle from farm to table. From the moment a lamb is born on one of our farms across Western Canada until they are processed, we ensure that our livestock is treated humanely and with the highest level of consideration for animal welfare. Inside our processing plant alongside our supremely talented team of meat artisans, we utilize state-of-the-art processing and chilling technology to stabilize meat PH levels. Necessary in delivering superior colour, tenderness, and juiciness consistently.
The Design.
As a fully vertically integrated company, we have oversight on every stage of the lamb production process. As such we have invested in a heavily monitored breeding program that allows us to build a flock of specific breeds to create a consistent and milder product. Alongside a strict grain-finished dieting program we can produce and select the highest quality lambs that will provide a slightly milder taste and yield a higher meat-to-bone ratio. Not only will you be tasting the best quality lamb, but you will also be getting the value of paying for more meat, not bone.
The Product.
Delicious, ethical, halal-certified lamb is for everyone. We package and distribute our product with you in mind. We’ve made sure to offer cuts of lamb for people of all tastes and experience levels. We offer classic cuts of lamb, gourmet cuts, as well as our Lamb Tonight line for those who prefer quick and easy meal preparation without giving up on quality or taste. Regardless of what cut of lamb, you choose to try we are confident you will find our lamb easy and approachable in the kitchen. Impress your guests!
Classic Cuts of Lamb
Lamb Leg Tender and juicy with a robust flavour – Lamb’s leg come in a convenient size that’s easy to manage. Delectable when slow roasted.
Rack of Lamb Roasted Rack of lamb makes a delicious and elegant meal. Although it takes a bit of time to prepare, it is worth the wait. You can have this dish at any time of the year, but if you really want to impress your guests, then serve it at a dinner party.
Lamb Loin Lamb loin is a tender cut that you can cook to perfection within a short period of time. You can roast it, braise it or grill it. If you’d like to prepare a more difficult meal, then you should consider adding some extra ingredients to your lamb loin and make a tasty stew.
Lamb Shoulder Lamb shoulder is ideal for slow cooking and casserole. It is ideal for cold weather as it keeps you warm and nourished. It is not only delicious but also healthy, nutritious and economical.
Did you know: Just 3-ounces of lamb fills you with half the daily recommended protein intake for adults? That 23 whole grams of protein in just one serving!
Gourmet Cuts: Lamb Offals
Our products are made gourmet-dish ready. Lamb Offals are one of the most delicious parts of the Lamb and are often viewed as delicacies. These parts of the lamb are nutrient-dense and can make a nice side for your next gourmet meal. It’s five-star restaurant quality, but you can order and prepare at home.
Lamb Liver Lamb liver is a somewhat underutilized part of the animal, making it a unique option for adventurous dinners. It’s a great source of B vitamins, iron, and protein. They’re great pan-fried or prepared as a curry.
Lamb Heart Lamb hearts tend to be lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken or turkey hearts. Lamb’s hearts are also easy to prepare and cook, making them a great option for busy meals. Keep in mind that some preparation is required because fresh lamb heart must be cleaned before it is cooked. Perfect for a nutrient-dense stew!
Lamb Kidney Lamb kidneys are fantastic. Most people who try them are surprised at how delicious they can be! They’re great as a part of a cold starter platter, or hot on the grill. They also go great on toast.
Lamb Made Easy: Lamb Tonight
Everyone deserves delicious lamb. If you’re new to cooking or have a lifestyle that is constantly on the go, we’ve thought of you too. If you want your lamb made easy and instant (while still remaining fresh and tasty), we’d recommend our pre-seasoned Lamb Tonight line.
Lamb Kebabs Our lamb kabobs comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook. Choose either shawarma, souvlaki, or kofta ground lamb kebobs.
Lamb Burgers Delicious natural seasoning gives our lamb tonight burgers an extra kick! Throw it on the grill like you would any other burger (but it’s not like any other one, you’re in for a treat).
Lamb Meatballs Add Italian-style or Mediterranean-style meatballs as a topping or side for your next meal.
A commitment to sustainability.
In our commitment to sustainability, we’re doing our best to ensure that nothing goes to waste. This means making use of the entire lamb. Lamb sundries can also be purchased either in vacuum packages or in bulk.
A well-prepared rack of lamb is the ultimate entree for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner date. Focaccia Crusted Rack of Lamb a little taste of gourmet cooking, encrusted with fresh rosemary and delectable focaccia bread – but it’s something you can easily do yourself.
The perfect rack of lamb is only 40 minutes away, and is ready to serve you and your love at your Valentine’s Day dinner (with leftovers too). What’s more romantic than taking your partner out to a fancy restaurant? Cooking it yourself, of course. Nothing says “I love you” like the time, effort, and thoughtfulness that goes into preparing a fine dining experience at home.
Whether you’re new to cooking lamb or you’re experienced and just looking for a new recipe to try, you’re in the right place. If you’re new to lamb, there’s no need to worry! We know lamb can seem intimidating at first, especially if you want to get it right for your date night. But, don’t fret, Sungold lamb is simple. In fact, our lamb is comparable to cooking grain-fed beef. We’ve put together this foolproof guide to your perfect rack of lamb – anyone can prepare this delicious gourmet meal.
First step! Get your ingredients.
Roasting the Perfect Rack of Lamb
TIP: The first stage of a gourmet lamb meal is to, of course, prepare Sungold’s scrumptious Rack of Lamb. Rack of lamb is extremely tender and flavourful, so you’ll want to look for a quality cut of lamb with sophisticated flavor profiles. Sungold’s Rack of Lamb IS the premium option, it is grain-finished for a consistent flavor, texture, and tenderness. Only the best for your loved one!
1. Get prepped
First step is always to gather your ingredients. Pay close attention to quality! Go the extra mile and buy local – attention to detail shows your significant other how much you care.
1 cup (250 mL) cubed day-old herb or plain focaccia bread
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil, divided
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
2 tbsp (30 mL) prepared olive tapenade
1/2 tbsp (7.5 mL) Dijon mustard
After you’re done grocery shopping for the big day, lay out your ingredients in a way that’s easy for you to access.
Once you’re prepped and ready to go, preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pulse rosemary, bread, and garlic in your food processor
In a food processor, pulse your garlic until ground. Add cubed bread and rosemary; and continue to pulse until ground. You’re looking for that sweet spot where the crumbs are crumbly and not too fine, but also not so big that they won’t bake to your rack of lamb.
Drizzle with 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil to moisten crumbs and transfer the mix to the baking sheet you prepared earlier.
Did you know: Rosemary has historically been used as a symbol of love. It’s the perfect herb for Valentine’s Day!
3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until toasted
Once you’ve laid this delicious rosemary breading out on some parchment paper, throw it in the oven for five to seven minutes until it’s slightly golden brown.
Make sure to let it cool completely before using it in step six.
4. Season lamb with salt and pepper
Lightly sprinkle the rack of lamb with salt and pepper in preparation for the skillet – to your personal fine tastes of course.
5. Sear your seasoned lamb
Now onto cooking your lamb. Don’t worry, it’s easy!
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium. Sear your lamb, fat side down, for about 3 to 4 minutes each side until brown.
Before moving on, let it cool slightly.
6. Mix your tapenade and glaze your rack of lamb
Phew, the hardest part is over.
Next, stir your tapenade in with the dijon mustard until it’s evenly mixed.
Brush it evenly over the fat side of your racks of lamb, and then coat them in the crumb mixture.
7. Roast your rack of lamb
Put your breaded rack of lamb into the oven on a sheet of parchment paper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes for medium-rare or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center without touching bone registers internal temperature of 145F (63C). Or, if you’re a fan of other preparations, cook to your desired doneness.
TIP: For Sungold lamb, we recommend medium-rare to medium for optimal flavor profile. In fact,the longer you cook lamb, the stronger the taste of lamb will be drawn out!
8. Voila! Your rack of lamb is complete
Pull your rack of lamb out of the oven. Next, let it stand for 10 minutes. This will ensure the juices and flavor stay within the meat and will reduce the amount of moisture that bleeds out at the time of cutting. (Also, so you don’t burn yourself). Next, cut between the bones at the bottom of the muscle (the thickest point) by fitting your knife between the bones to cut the perfect portion. This should be a gentle process and requires very little effort.
Nutrition Facts (Per 1/4 Recipe)
Calories: 290
Fat: 19g
Carbohydrate: 17g
Protein: 13g
Pick the Perfect Side Dish for your Rack of Lamb
Your lamb is done, but it’s not a true fine dining experience without some sides to compliment your entree. You don’t want your date to think you only put in a half effort! Our personal favorite side for this dish is the Cherry Tomato Salad. But, there are plenty of other side dishes that would pair well.
Your lamb is done, but it’s not a true fine dining experience without some sides to compliment your entree. You don’t want your date to think you only put in a half effort! Our personal favorite side for this dish is the Cherry Tomato Salad. But, there are plenty of other side dishes that would pair well.
Pair Wine With Your Rack of Lamb
The final piece of your idyllic date night is a glass of red wine to go with your meal. Is it really Valentine’s Day without red wine at your candle lit dinner?
So, how do you pair wine with a Focaccia Crusted Rack of Lamb? We’ve got a whole wine pairing guide for you to check out, but we’ll streamline the process for you. Pinot Noir is the best match for a rack of lamb. This dry, light-to medium-bodied wine has complex, fruity, flavors that have echoes of raspberry and cherry. While this wine is fruity, Pinot Noir isn’t extremely sweet, making it the ideal match for the full flavors of high quality lamb rack. Pinot Noir also subtly complements the flavor of the rosemary in the lamb’s focaccia breading. There couldn’t be a better match for this dish!
Bonus: Start Planning Your Next Gourmet Lamb Dinner
What’s the best way to celebrate a successful romantic date night? Start planning the next one! Cooking gourmet isn’t just about the food, it’s about the beautiful memories you create in the process. The Sungold blog is regularly updated with new recipes, tips, and tricks for preparing a delicious lamb meal. Find high quality cuts of premium lamb all year round at a grocery store near you.
You’ve picked out a lamb entree for your summer BBQ, but what comes next? It’s time to select a scrumptious summer side dish! It’s important to plan side dishes that really elevate your meal, and bring out the most of your lamb dining experience! You can do this easily with a couple of incredible accoutrements we’ve taste tested for you!
We’ve put together our top seven favourite side dishes that will pair perfectly with your next lamb meal. Adding a couple (or more!) will add a whole new level of flavour to your dish. This list showcases side dishes that we know pair well with our lamb recipes!
Light, summery, and full of nutritious vegetables; AvocadoSalsa is an easy side for your summer lamb entree. Minimum effort, maximum wow factor! This salsa is almost like a guacamole and summer salad hybrid. We searched far and wide, and our favourite rendition was definitely the one by Cookie and Kate. Their recipe includes just these six simple ingredients:
Diced ripe avocado
Quartered cherry tomatoes
Chopped red onion
Chopped cilantro
Minced jalapeño
Fresh lime juice
All you need for preparation is a knife and a cutting board. Chop up all your ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. Next, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Keep it in the fridge till meal time (but not too long so the avocado doesn’t brown).
In our recipe book, we usually pair this side dish with our Grilled Mojo Lamb Steaks. But, this easy dish can be turned into a ton of different appetizers. Use it as filling for tacos or burritos, serve it as dip with a side of chips.
2. Mango Apple Salad
The last recipe was very veggie-heavy, so if you’re looking for something sweet, fruity, refreshing, and just as easy to prepare, then this Mango Apple Salad might be the side dish for you.
All you need is:
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) quartered cherry tomatoes
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
3 tbsp (45 mL) lime juice
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
4 tsp (20 mL) brown sugar
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/3 cup (75 mL) fresh basil leaves, torn
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup (75 mL) chopped toasted cashews
Just toss together the tomatoes, mango, apple, lime juice, olive oil, sugar and salt. Stir in with the fresh basil and green onions. This little side dish will add beautiful color to your plate that will impress your guests!
In the past, we’ve suggested mango apple salad as a base for one of our Lamb Kabob recipes, but it is delicious on its own. It’s a perfect side for any of our summer recipes.
3. Grilled Lemon Garlic Asparagus
Asparagus is a match made in heaven with our Cranberry Orange Lamb Chops, but also makes a healthy and mouth-watering side to any lamb meal. We decided to dive into a grilled asparagus recipe, so that you can prepare it effortlessly at your grill alongside your main course this summer.
All you need, is:
2 pounds of asparagus
2 tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Three minced garlic cloves
One fresh lemon
Tin foil
Here’s how you prepare it:
Rinse, and trim the bottom of the asparagus
Toss with salt, pepper, and olive oil
Wrap in tin foil
Leave on grill for 5-10 minutes until lightly charred and tender
Toss with garlic minced and parmesan cheese
Squeeze fresh lemon over your delectable asparagus
4. Smoky Grilled Corn
In the theme of sides you can make on the grill, we found this irresistible Smoky Grilled Corn recipe through Cooking Light. It’s a leveled up version of the classic corn-on-the-cob that we recommend with our Lamb Surf and Turf.
According to Cooking Light, you’ll need:
2 1/2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 medium fresh corn ears
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
Preparation is a super easy four-step process:
Mix all of your ingredients, minus the chives and the corn, in a big bowl together
Evenly brush the mixture across your six corn ears
Place on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until soft and lightly charred
Sprinkle corn with your chopped chives
4. Veggie couscous salad
This is yet another vegetarian summer salad to enjoy on a hot, sunny day. Preparation is a bit more complex than our previous two salad recommendations, but the time spent is absolutely worth it.
Couscous is considered a ‘superfood.” It’s packed with nutrients and is a great source of plant-based protein. In addition to being absolutely scrumptious, it’s so healthy for you – bonus!
Ingredients:
3/4 cup (175 mL) couscous
1 small carrot, diced and blanched
1 small zucchini, diced
1 cup (250 mL) halved grape tomatoes
1/2 yellow pepper, diced
1/3 cup (75 mL) diced red onion
1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley
Dressing:
3 tbsp (45 mL) yogurt
1 tsp (5 mL) lime zest
3 tbsp (45 mL) lime juice
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) honey
2 tsp (10 mL) harissa paste
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
Here’s what to do with your ingredients:
Prepare couscous according to package directions
Prepare dressing: whisk together yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, oil, honey, harissa and salt.
Toss together couscous, carrot, zucchini, tomatoes, pepper, onion, parsley and dressing; transfer to serving dish.
Garnish salad with finely chopped almonds, pistachios or pine nuts.
Substitute pearl couscous for regular couscous if desired.
If you like, substitute mint for parsley.
The final step would usually be to top with our Lamb Kofta, but as a side suggestion we’ll make that optional. Serve it with any of your summer lamb favourites!
5. Pea and Mint pesto
Our Pea and Mint Pesto dip makes a creamy side for… pretty much anything. It’s an integral part of our Rack Lambsicles, but you can also use it as a dip for chips, veggies, naan, fries, potato wedges, or anything else you think could you use an extra kick of flavour!
Here’s what you’ll need:
1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas, thawed
3 tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped fresh mint
1 tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp (2 mL) lemon zest
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
Preparation is effortless. Throw it all in a food processor, and blend until pureed. Serve with your choice of dish! Top with a sprig of mint to up the presentation.
7. Seasoned Potato Wedges
Okay burger lovers, it’s time for the side just for you. Seasoned potato wedges are the classic side to any BBQ burger. We picked out our favourite recipe, by myrecipes.com.
According to their website, you’ll need:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large russet potatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup minced fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, chive, dill, and Italian parsley
Here’s how to bring this recipe to life:
Heat up the grill to medium
Toss the potato wedges in the oil, salt, and pepper
Grill the potatoes over direct medium heat, until they are golden brown and tender
Take the potatoes off the grill, put them in a bowl, and mix them with the butter and mustard
Garnish with herbs
Try it with our Lamb Burgers with Smoked Cheddar and Caramelized Onions, or any of our other lamb burgers! We won’t fault you if you want to pair this with every meal you make, though. It’s truly that delicious. There you have it! Our top 7 summer side dishes that will take your summer lamb dinner to the next level. Be sure to tag us on Facebook & Instagram with your delectable summer creations.
