The Five and Five of Lamb
Five reasons Australians love lamb and five ways to cook it
Lamb holds a special place in the hearts of Australians, and there are many reasons why it’s cherished and celebrated. In fact today, Easter Sunday, is the day for a traditional lamb roast in many Australian households.
Here are five reasons to love Australian lamb:
1. It’s Free-Range and Naturally Fed
Australian lamb is raised in free-range environments, with notable sheep grazing areas including the Tasmanian Midlands, East Coast and Bruny Island, where high welfare sheep graze on pristine and abundant pastures. This natural diet results in a mild-tasting, lean, and tender meat that renowned for its quality and flavour. The absence of artificial additives and hormones ensures that the lamb you consume is pure and healthy.
2. Rich Cultural Heritage
Lamb has been a staple in Australian cuisine for generations. It has a beloved status among Australians, who often associate it with cherished memories and festive occasions.
While the saying "Australia rides on the sheep's back" refers to the historical dominance of the wool industry in Australia's economy, sheep farming has been a major source of national prosperity for a long time.
Lamb holds such a special place in the hearts of Australians that the release of Meat and Livestock Australia’s Australia Day lamb advertisement has become a much-anticipated yearly event. Each year former Aussie Rules footballer and media personality Sam Kekovich, Australia’s “Lambassador”, presents an extended form advertisement which is both amusing and captures the national zeitgeist, reflecting cultural and political issues of the time in a uniquely Australian way. Here’s this year’s lamb ad.
3. Nutritional benefits
Lamb is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vital for muscle growth and repair. Additionally, lamb provides important vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which contribute to overall health and well-being.
4. Versatile to cook with
Lamb is an incredibly versatile ingredient, lending itself to a wide range of culinary preparations. Whether it's a classic roast, a slow-cooked stew, or a quick grilled lamb chop on the barbie, lamb can be adapted to various cooking styles and preferences.
5. Sustainable farming practices
Although traditional sheep farming has a large carbon footprint, measures are being taken to reduce this through initiatives such as the Sheep Sustainability Framework, which tracks performance against key sustainability priorities and provides data on industry progress. The industry has seen a reduction in emissions intensity (emissions per unit of production) by 9% between 2005 and 2020.
Modern practices in land management and biodiversity are also being implemented. Sheep producers are actively involved in managing land for sustainability, including controlling weeds, initiating pasture regeneration, and encouraging soil biota diversity.
The industry aims to improve ground cover on grazing lands, with 63.4% of sheep grazing land achieving over 50% ground cover since summer 2019.
And here are five ways to cook with lamb:
1. As a roast
This is Greek Stuffed and Roasted Lamb would be ideal as the centrepiece of an Easter Sunday feast.
2. Slow cooked
Now that cooler nights are with us, this Lamb Pot Roast will make for the perfect cosy dinner at home.
3. On the barbeque
Lamb on the barbie is quintessentially Australian, so give these Sticky Honey Macadamia Lamb Cutlets a try over the Easter or Anzac Day long weekends.
4. In a pie
This Leftover Lamb Shepherd’s Pie is a delicious way to use up leftovers.
5. In a curry
This warming Lamb Vindaloo is another great option as the weather gets colder.
