How to Make an Easy, Different, and Quick Skillet Meal With Ground Lamb (Diabetic Friendly)

This skillet meal is simple to make, and you can pull it off in about half an hour. The dish is different from the usual ground beef or ground turkey skillet fare and is really good. The lamb is seasoned with sweet and savory herbs and spices and a bit of orange (or clementine) zest. Raisins add a touch of sweetness, and almonds or pistachios add crunch. I use whole-wheat couscous in the dish to help keep it "diabetic friendly", but you can use regular couscous, if that's what you have/can find. I buy large packages of the whole-wheat couscous at a local "international" grocery store, which is much less expensive than buying the couscous on line or at whole paycheck stores. Although I don't always do so, I sometimes add a can of drained, rinsed chickpeas to the skillet dinner for extra inexpensive protein, fiber, flavor, and texture. We like the skillet dinner with a salad on the side. Enjoy!

How to Make an Easy, Different, and Quick Skillet Meal With Ground Lamb (Diabetic Friendly)

Easy Ground Lamb Skillet Meal -- Serves 4+

1 medium/large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

16 ounces of ground lamb

1 teaspoon of salt, divided

2-3 teaspoons of chopped garlic

1 teaspoon of dried coriander

1 teaspoon of dried mint

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon of pepper or to taste

2 tablespoons of dried parsley flakes

1 cup of whole-wheat couscous

2 cups of chicken broth or reconstituted reduced sodium chicken base (such as "Better

   Than Bullion")

Grated zest of a small orange or clementine (about 1/2 teaspoon)

1/4 cup of raisins (black or golden)

2-3 tablespoons of orange juice

1/4 - 1/2 cup of chopped toasted almonds or pistachio nuts, divided

Fresh mint and or parsley

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the onion, lamb, and half of the salt. Saute the onion/lamb mixture together for 10-15 minutes or until the lamb has mostly cooked through. Add the garlic to the mixture and cook it with the lamb and onions for a minute or two. Sprinkle on the dried coriander, dried mint, ground cumin, cloves, pepper, and dried parsley and mix them in well. Stir in the couscous, the broth or reconstituted chicken base, orange zest, raisins, orange juice, and remaining salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir it well, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan with a lid. Let the mixture sit for about five minutes or until the coucous has absorbed most of the liquid. Turn off the heat, and stir in half the nuts. Sprinkle the top of the dish with the remaining nuts and some torn fresh mint and/or parsley leaves. Serve the dish from the skillet for easy cleanup.

How to Make an Easy, Different, and Quick Skillet Meal With Ground Lamb (Diabetic Friendly)