It was back at the end of February that I said I'd a fancy to make a proper old fashioned meat and dumplings stew. I bought a packet of suet for the dumplings but then couldn't find any neck of lamb chops in the first places I tried - they are the tastiest cuts for a stew - not a lot of meat but all the flavour. Even the butchers in Diss didn't have them. But finally I spotted one pack on it's own on the shelves in Morrisons.
It's very strange that the cuts of meat that I knew from having our own lambs butchered are called different things in different butchers. The butchers in Diss offered me small cutlet chops when I asked for neck of lamb chops and when I demonstrated they were round he said I meant Stewing Scrags! a name I'd never heard before.
The stew made enough for two days and the dumplings, gravy and vegetables were delicious but the meat was disappointing - no flavour and nothing like I remembered from our own lamb all those years ago. I didn't take food photos as a stew isn't very photogenic!
We have a shortage of proper butchers now but I know of a couple more to try in two other villages so next time I fancy a stew that's where I'll go.
I also enjoyed a stew with dumplings for dinner, last night. It was certainly the weather for it. X
ReplyDeleteMy stew was last week and it was chilly weather. This week has been milder - but not salad weather!
DeleteWe used to have scrag end of neck lamb stew most weeks when I was first married. Very cheap and delicious! At My father said they used to call that kind of boney lamb stew 'granny's bones' at school.
ReplyDeleteWe always knew it as scrag end of neck.
DeleteThe neck chops like these were always labelled up as 'Neck of Lamb Chops' from our butcher.
DeleteYes, I always knew it as 'scrag end' too!
DeleteFunny how cuts of meat are known differently in different places isn't it?
Linda J
The difference in taste could be because of 'granny bones' or older sheep meat which is now called mutton and the young lamb that is on offer in the supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to find mutton these days, it's all young lamb. I suppose it is down to speed of turnover, and profits...
DeleteI think you are correct Ang. One of the joys of being a smallholder is that we have regular supplies of mutton.
DeleteWe always sent off our lambs before winter so never had mutton. But I tell people that if you've not eaten home raised, grass fed lamb then you don't know the real taste of it
DeleteI love a good beef stew. What a shame your lamb was so disappointing.
ReplyDeleteFound a really tasty vegan offering at Lidls last week - Curried Chickpea, Red Pepper and Spinach pie. Really good, and tasted fruity. I can recommend that.
Wish I could eat chick peas - they give me stomach cramp so I avoid them
DeleteOh what a shame. It was really tasty, so they can make some veggie/vegan meals taste good if they try.
DeleteYou can't beat a good stew on a draughty day.
ReplyDeleteI'd not made a stew since long before my husband died - it was a nice change
DeleteStewing scrags - now there's a name to put you off!
ReplyDeleteNot very appealing for sure - Neck of Lamb chops sounds much tastier
DeleteI love lamb - especially Shepherd's pie made with the remains of a lamb joint minced with a couple of onions. The last two shepherd's pies I have eaten have been made with beef which I call cottage pie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you were disappointed by the lamb. My daughter’s friend is a farmer and she uses hogget to make her stews. This is quite traditional in Scotland sheep raising areas and my daughter tells me it has a great taste that is not as strong as mutton. Can’t be bought in supermarkets I don’t think but her friend supplies her with some each year. Sadly, like lots of farmers , their farm is now sold so there won’t be any more lamb or hogget to be enjoyed. Catriona
ReplyDeleteGrowing up we always knew that cut as Scrag end, mum made delicious stews with it.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I've never had lamb. Lately, meat can be disappointing and tough. My latest source for good beef is Kansas City Steaks and so far everything I've bought has been outstanding. I do love a good stew.
ReplyDeleteI have never had lamb before. It's not a common meat here. I don't think it is carried in the stores. I could be wrong. That is disappointing when your tastebuds are set for something that doesn't turn out quite as you remembered.
ReplyDeleteHere in the Midlands lamb stew is made from ‘scrag end’, neck chops or such and I have to order it in advance from either of two local butchers, luckily they both slaughter their home grown animals, so yummy. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I make stew with beef here in Canada. Perhaps I should try lamb next time (though the price is atrocious and does not go on sale.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Sorry the lamb wasn't as good as you hoped, but good that you managed to find it! I don't see lamb here too often.
ReplyDelete