At Home with a Farmer: Crispy Lamb Chislic with the Peterson's
Having open conversations about food and farming with South Dakotans and the farmers who grow it is what we do. In fact, that’s what Hungry for Truth is all about. In our At Home with a Farmer series, we’re stepping into the kitchens of South Dakota farmers to share their favorite homemade recipes and stories that tie back to soy. By connecting farming to food and family tradition, these moments highlight the authenticity of farm life while building trust and awareness of the vital role farmers play in our communities.
A Family Favorite in Just Minutes
Some meals don't need a handwritten recipe—they're made from memory. For the Peterson’s, lamb chislic is one of those meals. It's simple, quick to prepare and perfect for gathering everyone around the table, even on a busy day.
While Drew and Lauren prepped the ingredients, their young son, Michael, eagerly helped in the kitchen—washing his hands (more than once!), checking on lunch and asking plenty of questions along the way.
The best part about this meal is once everything is prepped, lunch comes together fast.
"The biggest thing is getting the lamb chopped up and ready to go," Drew explained. "But within about 10 minutes, you can have a meal."
Crispy, Golden, and Fresh from the Fryer
Alongside the seasoned lamb, the Peterson's prepared fresh vegetables before frying everything in soybean oil until perfectly golden. There is no exact recipe or timer, this is just one of those recipes they know like the back of their hand.
Each batch typically fries for about two minutes, though every fryer is different. The goal is a crispy, golden-brown crust on the outside while keeping the meat tender inside. And according to Drew and Lauren, timing matters.
"It's the best within five minutes of being off the fryer," they said. "When it's barely cool enough to eat—that's just right."
Soybean oil helps create that light, crispy texture that makes every bite satisfying. Like any fried food, it's best enjoyed in moderation, but soybean oil is a versatile cooking oil that's commonly used in home kitchens because it performs well at high temperatures. If you're curious about all the ways soy can be used in the kitchen, view more recipes here.
Bringing Everyone to the Table
Like many parents, they're always looking for creative ways to get vegetables onto their little one's plate.
"We're getting to the point where we need to hide the veggies in everything," they joked.
Drew and Lauren served the meals in waves, with one batch hitting the table while the next finished cooking. It keeps everything hot, fresh and gives everyone an excuse to linger a little longer around the kitchen.
It's a simple reminder that family meals don't have to be elaborate. Sometimes the best recipes are the ones you've made so many times you no longer need measurements—just good ingredients, a little practice and the people you love most.
Bringing Farm Life to Your Kitchen
Whether you're cooking lamb, beef, chicken or your favorite vegetables, this method is easy to recreate at home.
Drew's Tips
Cut meat into bite-sized pieces before cooking for quicker prep and even frying.
Bread your vegetables before frying for extra crunch.
Fry in small batches so everything cooks evenly.
Expect each batch to take about 2 minutes, but watch for a crisp, golden-brown color rather than relying on the clock.
Serve immediately while everything is hot and crispy.
Drew and Lauren’s Lamb Chislic
Bring a taste of farm life into your kitchen with this simple, delicious recipe.
