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Bank Holiday #TastyEasyLamb
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Plan the Perfect Bank Holiday Get Together with Friends and Family #TastyEasyLamb

The last bank holiday of Summer 2017 is upon us and we all need to take the opportunity to gather friends and family round to celebrate the last days of everyone’s favourite season. Light and easy dishes which don’t take all day to make are the order of the day for summer feasting – slaving over a hot stove is not on the menu.

As we can’t always rely on weather that even vaguely resembles summer, it is always best to have some indoor dishes up your sleeve for the August Bank Holiday celebrations, and ones which won’t take all day to whip up but will deliver on the flavour front.

Lamb is the perfect ingredient for this last summer hurrah, needing very little work to create dishes packed with vibrant flavours and satisfying all appetites. With the perfect Bank Holiday get together for friends and family in mind, let lamb take centre stage in your dishes for a hassle-free and delicious end to summer.

For more lamb-spiration visit www.tastyeasylamb.ie for recipes, tips and tricks for creating a lamb feast – the Tasty Easy Lamb campaign has you covered!

STARTERS

Mushrooms Stuffed with Lamb, Ricotta and Pesto

#TastyEasyLamb Mushrooms Stuffed with Lamb, Ricotta and Pesto 2 (1)

For a special Bank Holiday feast, it is always nice to kick off proceedings with a starter for an extra bit of ceremony, and your guests will be (pine) nuts about this Mushrooms Stuffed with Lamb, Ricotta and Pesto recipe. Juicy lamb mince is tossed with pesto and cream ricotta and topped with some cheddar cheese before popping under the grill or into the oven to bubble – simple but oh so tasty.

Life is certainly not too short to stuff a mushroom with a recipe this good, and it can be whipped up in minutes!

Tip: You can make these ahead of time and pop them in the oven just before serving, with a green salad to garnish this perfect easy starter.

Lamb and Avocado Crostini

Crostini with Spiced Lamb and Avocado

A simple platter of Crostini is always a handy starter option and is made all the more irresistible with the addition of strips of tender lamb and creamy avocado. This Lamb and Avocado Crostini recipe gets a bit of a kick from cumin and coriander, and you can also play around with the spicing adding things like smoked paprika or garam masala – whatever takes your fancy!

Tip: Using ciabatta loaves, you can make these smaller and serve as canapés, if you aren’t planning on having a sit down starter or are serving a crowd – they are great warm or cold too.

MAINS

Grilled Lamb Steaks With Spicy Mango Salsa

Grilled Lamb Steaks with Spicy Mango Salsa 2

Instant gratification guaranteed, this Lamb Steaks recipe allows you to have all the delicious, gamey flavour of lamb served up in minutes and cooked exactly to your liking, whether that is pink and plump or with a little char.

This recipe is perfect for a gathering of six to eight, as you can sear the steaks in batches and make the zingy mango salsa ahead of time so there is no stress when it comes to serving up.

Tip: ALWAYS allow your lamb steaks to rest after searing, on a warm plate covered in tinfoil, as this will allow the meat to relax and ensure it is tender and evenly cooked when you slice into it. Serve this light summer dish with a shaved fennel tossed in lemon and some roasted baby potatoes with rosemary for the perfect easy main course.

Rack of Lamb with Garlic and Anchovies

For a showstopping main dish which really takes less effort than the stunning finished product would suggest, this Rack of Lamb with Garlic and Anchovies recipe is a celebration without the exertion. Anchovies add the perfect umami-like seasoning to lamb dishes, bringing out the natural sweetness of this meltingly tender cut. This dish is the definition of Tasty Easy Lamb – a must-try!

Tip: If you think your guests will object to anchovies (they are a Marmite-like ingredient!) blitz yours in a food processor or pick up a tube of anchovy paste instead of fillets. Trust me, they will never know they are eating anchovies but will be demanding to know the secret ingredient to the most delicious lamb they’ve ever tasted!

FEATURE BY DARINA COFFEY

Darina CoffeyGrowing up with the name Darina, I was constantly asked if I could cook like my namesake. With that(and greed) as the ultimate motivator, I realised that baked goods make excellent bribes and an obsession was born! I am the only person to have contested both Masterchef and the Great Irish Bake off, fuelling my desire to focus on food in a serious way. Working with TheTaste allows me to satisfy this craving and marries my food fascination with my love of writing and ranting.

Darina Coffey Darina Coffey
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