| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 400 | 30g | 20g | 10g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 4g | 15g | 0.4g |
One of my personal favorite recipes to make, is a unique, tasty and exceptionally healthy vegetable hub, called Steamed Lamb’s Quarters with Garlic Butter. This dish is a delightful combination of familiar household ingredients, fresh greens and robust flavors, combining to create a gastronomic joyride for the taste buds.
What I deeply appreciate about this recipe is its simplicity and versatility. It is reminiscent of, yet distinctively different from, classic Spanish Pisto — a traditional vegetable medley I’ve grown up enjoying remade by my own family. The infusion of the garlic’s pungency delicately stands out against the buttery mellowness, balanced by the tanginess of the lemon juice. Oh, and the black pepper? It gives just the right hint of warmth to this savory mix.
The Dance of Flavors
Primarily, the decisive factor in my preference towards Steamed Lamb’s Quarters with Garlic Butter lies in the adventurous play of flavors it offers. There’s something exciting about the way the hearty taste of the lamb’s quarters bounces off the smooth richness of melted butter, slightly tamed by the aromatic garlic — like a beautifully choreographed dance. And, much like the rhythms I teach in my dance classes, this recipe allows the ingredients to interact harmoniously while still retaining their distinct flavors and characters.
The Health Boost
The Stressed Lamb’s Quarters with Garlic Butter isn’t just a joy for the palate; it’s also remarkably good for health. Lamb’s quarters, often considered an underrated green, is a nutritional powerhouse. This humble plant is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fiber, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Adding garlic, which is famed for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and heart-health benefits, levels up the health quotient of this dish even further.
Like a perfect partner in a dance number, this dish pairs perfectly with a platter of seafood tapas or a grilled meat. So, the next time you’re planning a cozy dinner or have friends over, consider sprucing up your usual spread with some Steamed Lamb’s Quarters with Garlic Butter.
Enjoy the dance of flavors, relish the health goodness, and most importantly, have fun cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs fresh Lamb’s Quarters
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Sliced lemon for garnish
Method
Step One
Begin by washing the Lamb’s Quarters thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit. Once it’s clean, transfer it to a steamer basket.
Step Two
Heat a large pot of water until it reaches a roaring boil. Place the steamer basket with the Lamb’s Quarters over the boiling water. Ensure that the bottom of the basket does not come into contact with the water. Cover it and allow it to steam for about 10 minutes or until it softens.
Step Three
While the Lamb’s Quarters is being steamed, prepare the garlic butter sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it has melted completely, add the minced garlic to it. Sauté until it turns fragrant but be careful not to burn it.
Step Four
Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the garlic butter mixture. Stir well and remove from heat.
Step Five
Once the Lamb’s Quarters is completely cooked, carefully remove it from the steamer basket. Transfer it to a serving dish.
Step Six
Pour the prepared garlic butter sauce over the steamed Lamb’s Quarters. Toss gently to ensure the Lamb’s Quarters is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step Seven
Garnish the dish with fresh lemon slices before serving. Enjoy your steamed Lamb’s Quarters with garlic butter while it’s hot!
