Spring Lamb and Ham

by Kate Heyhoe

If you were smart when shopping for your Easter or Passover table, you picked up some extra lamb or ham to serve after the holidays. Prices for these two items are quite reasonable this time of year.

For lovers of global foods, lamb is especially "world friendly." Regions as disparate as Ireland and India feature lusciously wonderful dishes from whole legs, shanks, shoulders, and chops.

Lamb

Ham isn't quite as versatile when served on its own or even as globally accepted, but it has its merits in small doses. Dorothy Parker once said, "Eternity is two people and a ham." Hopefully you have a large family, or lots of friends, because despite Ms. Parker's sentiments, ham can transform plain-jane recipes into quite a few interesting dishes. It's most valuable to me as a seasoning, mixed with other meats and grains, as in Spanish paellas, New Orleans Jambalaya, and Mexican Arroz con Pollo. Ham in an Asian stir-fry, fried rice, or in a mixed teriyaki grill can be the perfect accent. Shrimp, eggs, legumes, and greens especially profit from ham's salty, intense flavor. And a ham bone, still carrying a few chunks of meat on it, is well worth its weight when simmered in soup or beans, or as in one recipe below, in chowder.

I've assembled below a selection of lamb and ham recipes to inspire you. Make room in the fridge, pick up some lamb or ham at a good price, and invite the neighbors over for a meaty spring fling.

Lamb Recipes

Braised Lamb Shanks with Pearl Barley and Root Vegetables
Greek Leg of Lamb Stuffed with Greens and Feta
Grilled Tandoori-Style Lamb Kabobs
Grilled Lamb Chops with Mustard-Herb Crust
Irish Lamb Follain
Lamb Picadillo Empanadas with Mint Mojo
Lamb with Mushroom Crust and Leek purée
Middle East Triangles with Lamb
Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint Chutney and Mint-Flavored Potatoes
Roman Grilled Lamb Chops
Spanish Lamb Stew with Pimentos and Chiles
Tunisian Ragout of Quince and Lamb

Ham

Ham Recipes

Carving a Ham
Choucroute Garnie à l'Alsacienne
Cassoulet Croquettes
Macaroni Mornay with Spinach and Crispy Ham Crust
Crumb-Crusted Honey Mustard Ham
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Ham and Corn Chowder
Home-Smoked Spicy Ginger Ham
Monte's Ham
My Ham Glazes Over (Baking and Glazing Tips, Recipes)
Roast Fresh Ham with Red Cabbages and Apples
Speckled Butter Beans and Country Ham in Lemon Velouté

Kate's Global Kitchen for April 2003:
4/04/03     Asparagus a Dozen Ways
4/11/03     Easter Holiday Special
4/18/03     Spring Lamb and Ham
4/25/03     Sesame Seasoning Blends