Lamb & Lentil Bake

Lentils are a low-glycemic index legume that are high in fiber, folate, thiamin, manganese and contain approximately 18 different amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Lamb contains all of the essential amino acids along with a significant amount of potassium and phosphorus. Combing lamb with lentils provides a healthful and tasty meal. Adding vegetables to lamb and lentils will increase the nutritional value especially fiber and vitamin A.

Stew

Combine rinsed lentils with 1-inch, chunks of lean lamb, vegetable broth, tomato sauce, minced garlic and chopped onion, celery and tomatoes in a slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Another option is to braise lamb cubes in olive oil before transferring to a Dutch oven with vegetable broth, vinegar, tomato paste, chopped carrots, celery, onion and garlic. Add fresh herbs to the stew such as parsley, oregano, thyme or rosemary near the end of the cooking time.

Soup

Saute onions, garlic, celery and kale in a frypan then add to a stock pot or Dutch oven with chicken or vegetable broth. Add lean lamb cubes and rinsed lentils to the pot and cook until the lentils are soft but not mushy. You can also boil broth in a Dutch oven and add lamb chunks, lentils, minced garlic and finely chopped carrots and onion. After the soup has finished cooking, serve in bowls and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and dried parsley.

Salad

Cook large lamb cubes in a small amount of broth with lentils, onions and garlic and then allow the mixture to cool. Serve lamb mixture over a bed of Romaine lettuce and tomato slices then top with a cucumber and yogurt dressing. Another option is to toss spinach leaves with Romaine lettuce, cucumber slices, carrot shavings and flat-leaf parsley. Top the salad mixture with cooked lentils and lamb chunks plus a dollop of low-fat plain yogurt that has been whisked with pressed garlic.

Chili

Saute onions, sweet bell peppers and garlic in olive oil before adding to a pot of vegetable broth, stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Brown ground lamb and add to broth mixture along with cooked lentils, oregano, chili powder and pepper. For a hearty chili, cut and cook large 2-inch, pieces of lamb and large chunks of tomato before adding to the chili mixture. For a spicy hot chili add chopped, cayenne peppers to the chili mixture.