Ewe are going to love this!
If you’re driving across the Snake River plain toward Idaho’s Sun Valley resort on a summer morning, you may find yourself surrounded by a herd of sheep from Lava Lake Ranch. When the weather warms the sheep are moved from the river plain to the high country, and they mosey right through downtown Ketchum, following a ''sheep driveway'' that is 100 years old. Fed all year on wild grasses and mother’s milk, Lava Lake Lamb is some of the tastiest and most responsibly produced meat you can buy.

Central Idaho has a long history of sheep ranching, but as expenses rise, livestock prices drop and land becomes more valuable for development, fewer ranchers are able to make a go of it. Lava Lake Land & Livestock was formed in 1999 to provide a unique area for raising sheep that includes over a million acres of public grazing leases and private land protected by conservation easements.

In 2004 the company created the non-profit Lava Lake Institute, dedicated to conservation of the local ecosystem by developing sustainable grazing methods, predator management and habitat restoration.

The great news is that all their hard work produces an exceptional product. Lava Lake sells USDA certified organic lamb, which is fed a combination of organically grown hay and grass. Their All-Natural lamb is allowed to graze outside the certified organic acreage, but it is 100% grass fed and humanely raised without hormones or antibiotics. You may try grass fed lamb because it’s naturally lean and a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, but the taste will have you at “hello.” Juicy and complex, Lava Lake Lamb is a knockout. Braise the shanks in red wine and serve with polenta or mashed potatoes; marinate a rack in pomegranate molasses, olive oil and garlic and grill it medium-rare. Or try our very favorite Lava Lake pleasure: the lamburger. Mix fresh mint, cumin, garlic, chili and a dollop of yogurt with the ground meat, grill and serve with red onion, tomato and pickled hot peppers. Gotta go—it’s time to light the coals!