Spring is here!! There are so many great varieties of fruits and vegetables available at the market. So, there is no excuse not to stock up on fruits and vegetables during your weekly visit. Another great item available is spring lamb. This week's meal is wonderful if you are looking for a fresh tasting dinner for two. The main course is a lamb chop with mint pesto sauce, a side of steamed artichoke and for desert strawberries with a balsamic vinegar sauce.
Directions:
1. Start by making the pesto. I use a great recipe by Giada De Laurentiis. Click here for a link to the recipe.
This recipe calls for a rack of lamb, but I used a lamb chop and grilled it 4-5 minutes on each side.
2. Next prepare the artichoke by removing all of the tough outter leaves and trimming the stem. Steam it for about 15-20 minutes depending on the size. It should be fork tender at the base of the stem (heart).
3. While the artichoke is cooking, prepare the strawberries by removing the stems and slicing them in quarters.
4. To make the balsamic vinegar sauce, simmer 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar about 5 minutes until it has reduced into a sweet semi-thick sauce. Cool slightly and pour over the strawberries.
5. After the lamb has reached 170 degrees internal temp, let it rest for 5 minutes and top with a tablespoon of the pesto. Serve the artichoke with a tsp of butter, and the strawberries with a tablespoon of the balsamic vinegar sauce. Follow the Zone suggestions below:
2 Block Meal
2 oz. lamb (protein); 2 teaspoons of the pesto (fat); 1 small artichoke or 1/2 of a large one; 1/2 cup of straberries and 1.5 tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar (carbs).
3 Block Meal
3 oz. lamb (protein); 1tablespoon of the pesto (fat); 1 small
artichoke or 1/2 of a large one; 1 cup of straberries and 1.5
tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar (carbs).
4 Block Meal (pictured)
4 oz. lamb (protein); 1.5 tablespoons of the pesto (fat); 1 small artichoke or 1/2 of a large one; 1 cup of straberries, 1 kiwi and 1.5 tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar (carbs).
5 Block Meal
5 oz. lamb (protein); 2 tablespoons of the pesto (fat); 1 small artichoke or 1/2 of a large one; 2 cup of straberries, 1 kiwi and 1.5 tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar (carbs).
*Recipe was linked from www.foodtv.com
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