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.
Kristin by a New Year display of sheep.
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?
I am so glad I found this list! My son has decided we are going to butcher one of his 4-H lambs to eat and I don’t know the first thing about preparing lamb. I will definitely keep this post bookmarked to find recipes to try.
I’ve always heard it’s hard to cook lamb, but I don’t think it is! Or I’ve gotten really lucky numerous time! 🙂 Let me know if you find any other good recipes and good luck!
Sara