Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup wine vinegar
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon basil
3 garlic cloves , minced
1/2 teaspoon salt or 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
1 teaspoon sugar or 1 teaspoon Splenda granular
1 deboned leg of lamb or 8 lamb chops
3 cups apple juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 packet Splenda sugar substitute
4 large apples , whole , cored
2 tablespoons apple juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 packet Splenda sugar substitute
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
Marinated Leg of Lamb Cooked With Lemon & Apple Juice is an excellent addition to any dinner table. Lamb is an acquired taste that can be challenging to cook, but when done right, it is a treat. This dish features a marinated leg of lamb or lamb chops, which are coated with an apple juice and lemon juice marinade. It is then roasted with sliced apples, which caramelizes upon cooking, making for a perfect pairing. By incorporating Splenda sugar substitute, this recipe addresses the natural sweetness, that would have otherwise been provided by regular sugar. This dish is customizable; you can adjust the cooking temperature and timing based on your preferred level of doneness. Serve this juicy, tender and flavorful Marinated Leg of Lamb Cooked With Lemon & Apple Juice at your next dinner party and become the party legend.

Instructions

1.In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic, salt, sugar and Splenda to create the marinade.
2.Place the lamb or lamb chops into a resealable plastic bag, pour in the marinade and seal the bag. Massage the marinade into the meat, and refrigerate it for 4-24 hours.
3.Preheat the oven to 350 F.
4.In a roasting pan, mix together the apple juice, lemon juice, and Splenda. Place the lamb or lamb chops onto the pan, and pour any excess marinade over the meat. Add the cored apples, each filled with one packet of Splenda, and sprinkle an additional 2 tablespoons of apple juice and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice over the apples. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
5.Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2- 2 1/2 hours for a leg of lamb, or 45-60 minutes for chops, or until the meat is cooked to desired level of doneness.
6.Remove the lamb from the pan, loosely tent with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
7.In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water together to create a slurry. Pour the mixture into the pan with the apple juice and cooking juices over medium heat. Stir until the mixture has thickened, or until desired consistency is reached. Serve the lamb with the apple sauce on the side.

PROS

This dish is rich in protein, and the apple juice marinade makes it tender and flavorful.
The leftover juices also make a flavorful sauce that can be served.

Use of Splenda helps cut down on calories.

CONS

The lamb is high in fat and cholesterol, which should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Marinating time can run as long as 24 hours.
It takes a little bit of preparation to maximize the benefits of flavors and tenderness, but it is worth it.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Lamb is a complete protein, which means that it provides all essential amino acids necessary to maintain good health. Also, Lamb is high in minerals such as iron, zinc, and Vitamin B12, that are essential for growth and development. By using Splenda as a sugar substitute, the glycemic index of the dish is lowered, which reduces blood sugar spikes and helps with weight management. The apple juice marinade provides an excellent source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which support a healthy immune system and combat free radicals that can damage cells.

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