Lamb has become a new favorite in our household. Since moving from Alberta to Texas, the opportunity to hunt on public land has diminished, so we no longer have a freezer full of wild game...something we definitely took for granted!
Lamb reminds me a bit of deer with a slight gamey taste and is filling the void.
Tonight, we made a simple rack of lamb on the Traeger with a spice rub containing salt, pepper, and our favorite Special Shit seasoning. We cooked it for about 40 minutes on the smoker at 450F until it reached 135-140F for a medium rare finish.
Although the lamb was the star of the show, I'll give 2 simple side dish recipes that we served with the lamb including a sweet potato mashed potato and polenta crisps.
Seasoned lamb chop plated on top of sweet potatoes, polenta crisps, and edemame beans.
SWEET POTATO MASH
Prep Time: 10 minutes to peel potatoes and mash potatoes
Cook Time: 15 minutes to boil potatoes
INGREDIENTS (5):
sweet potato (3 large)
buttermilk (1/3 c.)
maple syrup (4 tbsp.)
cinnamon (1 tsp.)
nutmeg (1/2 tsp.)
INSTRUCTIONS:
-Boil potatoes on the stovetop in water until potatoes are soft and a fork pokes in easily.
-Drain potatoes from the water and let cool until you can comfortably handle them.
-Remove potato skins.
-Place peeled potatoes in a large mixing bowl and mash.
-Add remaining ingredients and mix with a hand mixer or blender until it reaches the desired consistency.
You may alter the amounts of syrup, spices, and milk to your preference!
-If necessary, reheat the mash as it may have cooled during prep time.
POLENTA CRISPS
Prep Time: 5 minutes to cut polenta slices and season
Cook Time: 25 minutes to bake
INGREDIENTS (3):
polenta (1 tube)
olive oil (3 tbsp.)
seasoning of choice (2 tbsp.)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cut slices of polenta approximately 1/4 inch thick and continue to slice the rest of similar thickness so that they cook evenly.
-Spray polenta slices with a light amount of cooking spray or brush with cooking oil on both sides.
-Season with whatever you desire - we used the Special Shit seasoning to carry through the same seasoning we used on the lamb.
-Arrange the seasoned polenta slices in the air fryer tray or on a baking sheet if using the oven.
-Cook at 400F for 25-30 minutes or until they are crispy. Flip halfway between if using the oven. I did not need to flip them using the air fryer.
-Dig in!