There’s a new product in Colorado that you have the unique opportunity to both buy through retailers AND see how area restaurants use it in some of their special dishes. Aussie Select produces premium deli products responsibly sourced from Australian lamb. The pre-cooked products, available in Colorado through Altamira Foods, brings a convenient, creative and delicious protein option to diners. I grew up eating lamb so I was really curious to know what lamb deli products would be like. After having tried several, and hearing the story behind the business, I was excited to have Jaclyn Oyola, CEO of Aussie Select as my guest on both the In Good Taste Denver Podcast and my Real Food Traveler Podcast since Aussie Select products are also available across the U.S.
In our conversation, Jaclyn tells how she came to be part of the Aussie Select company, including what motivated her to want to represent the company.
She tells us about each of the projects which includes Lamb Pastrami, Agave Rosemary Lamb, Tikka Masala Lamb and Lamb Prime Rib, all of which have an elegant, delicious flavor. Like me, you’ll enjoy finding ways to use it.
I thought I knew what to expect from the flavor of lamb, having had it as a roast and as an ingredient in many Mediterranean dishes throughout my life. But each product surprised me – in my opinion, if you like beef or pork, lamb is the best of both, amped up. For instance, if you made someone a sandwich from Aussie Select’s Lamb Pastrami, but didn’t tell them it’s lamb, they would only think “this is the best pastrami sandwich I’ve ever had.” There’s no gamey flavor – just goodness.
The Aussie Select products are:
* Pasture-raised lamb
* Fully cooked
* Have no artificial colors or flavors
* Have no added hormones
* Are all Halal-certified
* Are Gluten-free and have no MSG
* And, it’s a woman-owned business
The 4-ounce, pre-sliced packs of Lamb Pastrami, Agave Rosemary Lamb and Tikka Masala Lamb are available in many stores across Colorado (see the list below). And their website, www.AussieSelect.com, offers great recipes for ways to enjoy it at home from Cacio e Pepe with lamb pastrami, to a BLT, to a roast lamb dinner.
With the selection of products Aussie Select was generous enough to provide me to sample, I made sandwiches with the Lamb Pastrami, added Agave Rosemary Lamb to scrambled eggs and Tikki Masala Lamb to a charcuterie board. I served the Lamb “Ham” with roasted potatoes and other veggies. Everything I tried was really good and a nice break from the usual.
It isn’t often the case that we consumers can purchase the same products restaurants are choosing. But several area restaurants are serving it up too including Denver’s Slate Hotel, Clayton Hotel & Members Club and Panzano. It’s a way they can avoid “menu fatigue” from offering the usual beef, chicken and pork for proteins.
The Brown Palace’s Executive Chef Kim Moyle serves it in the Ship’s Tavern restaurant.
“Aussie Select’s lamb products are a game-changer for my kitchen. The pre-cooked, deli-style lamb saves us time and brings so much versatility to our menu. We’re starting with a sandwich but the possibilities are endless. The flavor is bold and unique, exactly what we need to excite our guests and stand out from the usual protein options.”
Here are some of the stores where you can buy Aussie Select products:
Atlas Valley Purveyors – Lafayette
Clark’s Market – Denver
Fresh Market & Community Kitchen – Littleton
Leevers Locavore – Denver
Lucky’s Market – Boulder
Pete’s Fruits & Vegetables – Denver
The Market at Telluride
The Market at Ridgway
Village Market – Edwards
Village Market – Telluride
Woods Supermarket – Johnstown
To learn more about Aussie Select products, including what products are available, where, and recipes, visit their website.
-Story by Courtney Drake-McDonough, publisher and managing editor of In Good Taste Denver and host of the In Good Taste Denver podcast
