Mediterranean Diet Cumin Lamb
Savor the irresistible flavors of the Mediterranean with this exquisite Cumin Lamb recipe! Perfectly suited to the Mediterranean diet, this dish features tender lamb shoulder cubes marinated in a fragrant blend of ground cumin, garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, and olive oil. The lamb is seared to a golden-brown perfection and simmered with caramelized red onion for a deep, savory richness. To lighten the flavors, a refreshing mint yogurt sauce is whipped up as a zesty finishing touch. Ready in under an hour, this protein-packed lamb dish pairs wonderfully with couscous or a vibrant cucumber-tomato salad, offering a wholesome, flavorful dining experience. Ideal for health-conscious foodies or anyone craving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lamb shoulder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mint leaves
Instructions
Begin by preparing the lamb shoulder. Trim any excess fat and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, minced garlic (use a garlic press for convenience), chopped fresh rosemary, chopped fresh thyme, lemon zest, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients well to form a herb-spice mix.
Pour half of the olive oil over the lamb cubes, then add the herb-spice mix. Using your hands, massage the mix thoroughly into the lamb to ensure each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. As the oil shimmers, add the lamb cubes in a single layer (do this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding) and brown them on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Once all lamb cubes are browned, remove them from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
In the same pan, add the sliced red onion and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. This will also deglaze the pan, incorporating the caramelized flavors left by the lamb.
Return the browned lamb cubes to the pan with the onions. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 30 minutes or until the lamb is tender.
While the lamb is cooking, prepare the mint yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and finely chopped mint leaves. Stir well and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Once the lamb is done, serve it hot, drizzling a spoonful of mint yogurt sauce over each serving or on the side, enhancing the Mediterranean flavors.
Pair this cumin lamb with a side of couscous or a fresh cucumber-tomato salad for a complete Mediterranean dining experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2491 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 189.5 g | 243% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.8 g | 354% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 689 mg | 230% | |
| Sodium | 5317 mg | 231% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.0 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.8 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.9 g | ||
| Protein | 163.3 g | 327% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 510 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 22.3 mg | 124% | |
| Potassium | 2619 mg | 56% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
