Fettucine with Basil Lamb – Gluten Free!

Well, here we go, my first full-on recipe with meat.

While I eat primarily plant-based, I do have a boyfriend that I cook for, and, in case it wasn’t obvious–I love cooking! As I’ve gotten older and learned more about nutrition, I’ve realized that incorporating high-quality meat into your diet is a pivotal part of getting the nutrients you need, especially as you age.

Eating organic, grass-fed meat is not only better for the environment but better for your body. Grass-fed meat contains more antioxidants, omega 3s, helps protect your teeth from decay and helps improve your brain function. You do not have to eat a lot of meat or even eat meat every day, but it should be something that you include in your diet, especially if you can find high-quality, local, organic, grass-fed produce from a farmer’s markets.

Eating meat does not mean gorging on barbecue, buying cheap, low-quality meat in a supermarket or going full-on carnivore. You should always make the vegetable portion the largest part of your meal, with a side of meat. Not the opposite way around.

I get my organic, grass-fed meat locally at the farmer’s market. Yes, it’s more expensive, but why would I buy conventional meat in the store, that is heavily processed, filled with added hormones, antibiotics, fed a grain diet and makes me sick? Is it really worth the $5 less? Not to me. If you will eat low quality meat, you invite a low-quality life in the form of your health. If that’s the case, you’re better off sticking to veganism.

I started eating meat again because the full-on vegan lifestyle didn’t work for me anymore. It left me feeling hungry, tired, unable to focus and slightly anxious. Cravings were back, and I just wasn’t as excited about my food anymore. When I started eating meat again I felt stronger, healthier, more alert, had more energy, and better brain performance. That’s the beauty of our bodies…we are ever-changing and ever-evolving. What worked for us 5 years ago, may not work for us anymore.

This organic, grass-fed basil lamb recipe was inspired by a restaurant meal I had recently. The ingredients for the dish were so simple, allowing for the natural flavor of the lamb and basil to rule, without any extra condiments or spices. Of course, I had to add a couple vegetables of my own, but I think it came out great!

You can also choose to add some summer squash, onion, cumin, or anything else you think would go great with this dish. The fettuccine is also gluten-free, made with rice pasta.

So without further ado…let us begin!

You will need:

1 lb organic, grass-fed lam
1 bunch chopped kale (about 3 to 4 cups worth)
1 package (2/3 oz) freshly chopped basil
1 cup sliced green onion
1 package (1 lb) gluten-free rice fettuccine noodles
2 cloves sliced garlic
2 tbsp coconut oil
salt and pepper to taste

Step 1:

Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions.

In a large skillet, add 1 tbsp of coconut oil, and add the garlic. Cook until lightly browned, then add the lamb, some salt and pepper, and cook fully on medium heat.

Step 2:

Once the meat is fully cooked, add the kale 1/2 cup green onion. Saute together until soft. Turn heat off then add the fresh basil. Mix just enough so that the basil is wilted in the meat, but not fully cooked.

Step 3:

Once the fettuccine is done, drain the hot water, and rice the noodles with cold water. Before the noodles are cooled, add the 2 other tablespoons of coconut oil to the fettuccine along with the other 1/2 cup of green onion. Mix together so you have a beautiful green onion fettuccine mix!

Plate by adding the fettuccine to your bowl, and topping with the basil lamb. If you have extra green onion slices, add on top for a garnish.

This meal is SO simple, and takes barely any time to make. If you make enough, you can save it as additional meals for the week, as it stores nicely in the refrigerator.