It’s Lamb Lover’s Month and the Year of the Sheep!

I recently traveled to China again to speak to Chinese consumers about U.S. agriculture and biotech soybeans.  It was a similar trip to last September’s and went very well.  I’ll be posting about it very soon!  While we were there China was preparing for their Chinese New Year celebration that lasts for about 15 days.  Last time we were there they were preparing for their National Day, which would be somewhat similar to our 4th of July.  But this New Year celebration is quite the deal!

Year of the Sheep

The Chinese New Year began yesterday, on February 19th.  This is also called the Lunar New Year.  This year is the year of the Yang.  This can be translated to sheep, goat, or ram.  While we were in China they were decorating everything, getting it ready for the big holiday.  Both hotels we stayed in had big sheep displays already up the beginning of February and there were lights all over everything outside.  It was very pretty at night!  We also found out that a traditional thing to do for the New Year is give each other red envelopes with money in them symbolizing luck.  These are mostly given to children and students.

While the Year of the Sheep is just beginning in China, February here in the United States is Lamb Lover’s Month!  You can find all kind of information about lamb meat, how to cook it, and various recipes on the American Lamb website.  Also, my friend Kristin (who is in the photo above and was with me in China the beginning of February) raises sheep in Ohio. You can find all kinds of information on her blog, Local Farm Mom, about raising the sheep on her farm and she also shares some fantastic recipes too!

In honor of both the Year of the Lamb and also Lamb Lover’s Month, I’d like to share some of my favorite lamb dishes that I have pinned on my Lamb Recipes board on Pinterest.  I can’t wait to try some of these!  They all look amazing!

21 Lamb Recipes to Celebrate Lamb Lover’s Month

(If you are going to pin a specific recipe, please go to each blogger’s website and pin it from there!  Thanks!)

Grilled Lamb Chops from Local Farm Mom

Garlic Roasted Leg of Lamb my recipe for a last minute dinner party

Irish Lamb Stew from Sara Ross (Me!) on Her View From Home

Braised Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Carrots from Primal Palate

Spicy Ground Lamb Ragu from Rachel Ray

Braised Lamb Shanks and Melted Onions from Anthology Magazine

Irish Stout Shepherd’s Pie from Nutmeg Nanny

Pomegranate Merlot Braised Lamb Shanks from Williams Sonoma

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb from Skinny Taste

Turkish Lamb Pilau from BBC Good Food

Middle Eastern Lamb and Pine Nut Pies with Tzatziki from The View from Great Island

Glazed Racks of Lamb from Taste of Home

Paleo Sweet and Sour Glazed Meatballs from Beyond the Bite

Pastitsio from Urban Nest

Mediterranean Feta Lamb Sliders from Kevin is Cooking

Greek-Style Meatball Bites from Susan Krauss on Pillsbury

Spring Lamb Pitas from Right at Home

Lamb Kebabs with Greek Salad from Guilty Kitchen

Roasted Lamb London Broil Style from A Family Feast

Skillet-Roasted Lamb Loins with Herbs from Food & Wine

Lamb Vindaloo Tacos with Cucumber Raita from No Recipes

 Hope you enjoyed that list of recipes!  Again there are many more on my Pinterest board!  What is your favorite way to eat lamb?