Elevate Your Dishes with Fresh, Locally Sourced Ingredients

Fresh, local lamb shanks slow roasted with Basque morokil.

Are you ready to take your dishes to a whole new level? Well, it's time to let you in on a little secret - the best dishes always start with the best possible ingredients. Now, before you start picturing extravagant, expensive items, let me assure you that it's not about the price tag. It's about freshness and the way these ingredients are raised, just as nature intended. 

Let me take you back to my childhood, where I had the privilege of growing up on home-raised lamb. This experience opened my eyes to the incredible difference that quality and flavor can make in a dish. You see, the lamb we raised was unlike most store-bought domestic lamb. The flavor was exceptional, the tenderness unmatched, and it left an everlasting impression on my taste buds. 

Recently I discovered Beltex Meats in Salt Lake City, Utah. Beltex Meats is a butcher shop that specializes in locally sourced meats. What sets them apart is their commitment to humanely raised animals. For Beltex Meats, it's all about following nature's principles. Every animal they source is pasture-raised, given plenty of room to roam and frolic, just as nature intended. Pasture raised animals endure much less stress and when done correctly are not stressed during the slaughter and harvesting process. The lack of stress translates into the quality of the lamb. Another important factor which is also one of the core principles at Beltex Meats is that none of their animals have ever been treated with antibiotics or hormones. They take great pride in offering their customers meats that are free from any artificial additives. And here's a bonus – their animals are never fed GMOs either. Just pure, wholesome ingredients that you can trust. 

Now, let's talk about why good ingredients make such a monumental difference in recipes and dishes. When you start with fresh, high-quality ingredients, the flavors intensify, the aromas magnify, and your taste buds embark on a delightful journey. It's like taking your taste buds on a rollercoaster ride of culinary delight. But let's specifically address the lamb situation. You may have had lamb before, but chances are you've only tried domestic mutton. Unfortunately, this has contributed to many Americans having a misleading objection to lamb. The poor quality and the age of the lamb play a significant role in this. You see, the best domestic lamb to eat is usually under 8 months old and sustainably raised. Young sustainably raised lamb has a flavor that is sweeter, milder, and less greasy compared to its store-bought counterparts. It's like a symphony of flavors dancing across your palate, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction that only premium ingredients can provide. That's the beauty of a high-quality, sustainably raised lamb. 

Lamb shanks being braised before roasting.

Today I made lamb shanks and morokil Basque style. Basque cuisine is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Basque people, who have inhabited the regions of northern Spain and southwestern France for centuries. Young lamb shanks when slow cooked to perfection become succulent and tender. Lamb Shanks are typically braised first in olive oil, then put to the side while the ingredients for the sauce are added one by one to the renderings creating a delectable sauce. The sauce then becomes a bath for the lamb shanks that cook on low for at least four hours in the oven until the lamb is beautifully tender and falls off the bone. The key to a delicious Basque style lamb shanks recipe lies in the simplicity of the ingredients. Starting with a base of yellow onions and garlic, the flavors are built up with the addition of carrots and sweet roasted red peppers. These ingredients not only add depth and sweetness to the dish but also provide a vibrant pop of color. Basque farmers and ranchers have a long-standing tradition of raising high-quality livestock, and this dedication to quality is evident in their lamb shanks. The meat is succulent and flavorful, reflecting the care and attention given to its production. 

Now, let's move on to morokil. This delightful accompaniment to lamb shanks is made from a simple mixture of corn flour, water and milk, but the end result is truly heavenly. Morokil is a traditional Basque pudding that is smooth and creamy in texture, with just the right amount of sweetness. Corn flour was a staple in old country Basque cuisine. The corn flour used in morokil gives it a distinct flavor and a slight hint of nuttiness, which pairs perfectly with the creamy texture. To prepare morokil, the corn flour is cooked on low heat with water and milk, creating a thick and smooth mixture.

The simplicity of the ingredients used in both the lamb shanks and morokil truly showcases the purity of good ingredients when cooking. Many Basque recipes use simple ingredients but sourcing the ingredients can completely change the complexity of the dish. So, if you're looking to truly elevate your dishes, don't settle for subpar ingredients. Seek out fresh, locally sourced meats from butcher shops like Beltex Meats that prioritize sustainable farming practices and harvesting practice. Explore the wonderful taste that comes from animals raised as nature intended, with the freedom to roam and feed on natural pastures. Every bite will transport you to a world where flavors burst, where tender meat morsels melt in your mouth, and where your culinary creations become works of art. Embrace the power of good ingredients, and witness the magic that unfolds on your plate. Remember, the best dishes start with the best possible ingredients.