BajaNomad

Lamb

vandenberg - 10-22-2009 at 08:49 AM

Shari's post of the burro barbeque in Asuncion made me think of my favorite kind of meat, Lamb. Why is it so difficult to find in any market, while flock of sheep around the Constitution/Lopez Mateos area are so common. Even in La Paz I've never found it in any of the markets. Got a leg one time at the Loreto Sunday market, but it was pretty poor, with about enough meat for one person.:no::P
And the little restaurant at the Lopez Mateos turn wouldn't sell me any, or didn't have any to sell. I believe they get it from their own ranch.
Jesse's place has shank on the menu. They're delicious and next time there, I will try to get his source.:P

Cevapcici

Skipjack Joe - 10-22-2009 at 09:37 AM

The finest thing to make with lamb is cevapcici. A Balkan meal introduced by the Turks. The Turks are prohibited from eating pork so their kitchen often uses lamb. Served everywhere, every outdoor cafe under the evening lights beneath a huge shade tree, all you need is cevapcici, onions, bread, and a beer. The bread is optional but the onions are a must. Barbeque the meat until it's crusty on the outside but juicy within. They sprinkle water over them when the flames get too high.

cevapcici%20plate%205.jpg - 49kB

Skeet/Loreto - 10-22-2009 at 09:44 AM

Van:
Lamb is my Favorite Meat Also>

There are many reasons for Lamb being hard to find. One being when they closed down the large packing plant at San Angelo Texas.

I really started eating Lamb in Fresno Calif. where there is a large nuimber of Armeianian People--Shis-K -Bob.

Here in Amarillo , the Beef Capitol of the World, I have to order my Lamb through an Albertsons Market.
I have been informed that most of the Lamb now comes from South America Countries. Anybody know if that is True??

Skeet

DENNIS - 10-22-2009 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I have been informed that most of the Lamb now comes from South America Countries. Anybody know if that is True??

Skeet


I tried to find info on that, Skeet, but didn't. Seems like a lot of mention is of New Zealand as being a big time producer.

oldlady - 10-22-2009 at 10:34 AM

Have no idea about South America. I have purchased it (leg, shoulder) at City Club in La Paz, frozen, from New Zealand, a common source for lamb in the US. It's good.
As for rack of lamb, my own favorite, have not seen it in La Paz.

Jesse...where art thou?

tripledigitken - 10-22-2009 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Van:
Lamb is my Favorite Meat Also>

There are many reasons for Lamb being hard to find. One being when they closed down the large packing plant at San Angelo Texas.

I really started eating Lamb in Fresno Calif. where there is a large nuimber of Armeianian People--Shis-K -Bob.

Here in Amarillo , the Beef Capitol of the World, I have to order my Lamb through an Albertsons Market.
I have been informed that most of the Lamb now comes from South America Countries. Anybody know if that is True??

Skeet



Here in San Diego most suppliers are using both Australian and New Zealand lamb. The Colorado lamb which is very hard to get is superior in my opinion. The lamb served at the Basque Restaurants in the Bakersfield area and North Nevada I would guess use their local lamb, and those are very good as well.

There are a few local mexican restaurants that serve Borrego which is outstanding. Next time I visit I will ask them what their source is.

Ken

Woooosh - 10-22-2009 at 10:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
I have been informed that most of the Lamb now comes from South America Countries. Anybody know if that is True??

Skeet


I tried to find info on that, Skeet, but didn't. Seems like a lot of mention is of New Zealand as being a big time producer.


New Zealand has more Lamb than people. CostCo has had a New Zeland lamb connection for years- I buy individual "frenched" racks ($12-14 each) and the "t-bone" cuts there. Never found any place else with the prices of CostCo for Lamb. Haven't checked the Mexico Costco's for it.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-22-2009 at 10:55 AM

Just found out that 46% is from Australia, 26% from New Zealand Imports that is.

In Los Banos Calif. there was at one time over 20 years ago lots of Lamb being Grazed on large tracts of Land to the North and /east of now where runs Interstate 5.

At the Basque Resturant in Los Banos, CA, served daily. called Wool Growers, you can get some of the best lamb around.

Very few places in Fresno Ca, now serve Armenian Shish Kabob, with all the good spices.

tripledigitken - 10-22-2009 at 11:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Just found out that 46% is from Australia, 26% from New Zealand Imports that is.

In Los Banos Calif. there was at one time over 20 years ago lots of Lamb being Grazed on large tracts of Land to the North and /east of now where runs Interstate 5.

At the Basque Resturant in Los Banos, CA, served daily. called Wool Growers, you can get some of the best lamb around.

Very few places in Fresno Ca, now serve Armenian Shish Kabob, with all the good spices.


In Bakersfield there is also a Wool Growers, (they may be the same owners) and their Roast Lamb is as good as I've had in a restaurant!

Ken

http://www.woolgrowers.net/index.html

Marie-Rose - 10-22-2009 at 11:17 AM

Had a fabulous roasted leg of lamb at Hotelito... (thanks Jenny!!) a couple of nights ago. Apparently came from Sam's Club La Paz. It was a fabulous evening with great food and great girlfriends!! (as a side not, although this was a private evening... Jenny sometimes has some evenings where she not only has the bar open but also serves her fabulous fare... I will post as soon as I know it is happening)

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Bajahowodd - 10-22-2009 at 11:23 AM

with peas and some mashed potatoes.

Is it somehow ironic that the environmentally damaging practices used to raise cattle are responsible for the relative scarcity of lamb. I grew up in New York at a time when lamb was a regular protein on the dinner table. However, over the years, the giant meat packers were able to develop their practices to where the price of beef made it a deciding factor. One need only check the weekly supermarket fliers to see the "specials" on various cuts of beef. I really think that over time, we have developed a society, in general, that has lost its familiarity with lamb, mostly because of cost factors. As others have pointed out, there continues to be pockets of society that regularly dine on lamb. They tend to be folks with ties to the Mediterranean region, be it Europe or Northern Africa. Luckily for me, in central Orange County, I have several choices of markets that cater to the Middle Eastern clientele.

That said, there is no such product as lean lamb. But, it sure tastes great!

Fresno

wessongroup - 10-22-2009 at 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Just found out that 46% is from Australia, 26% from New Zealand Imports that is.

In Los Banos Calif. there was at one time over 20 years ago lots of Lamb being Grazed on large tracts of Land to the North and /east of now where runs Interstate 5.

At the Basque Resturant in Los Banos, CA, served daily. called Wool Growers, you can get some of the best lamb around.

Very few places in Fresno Ca, now serve Armenian Shish Kabob, with all the good spices.


Do they still serve at the Santa Fe Hotel?

Used to be the best lunch in town. You would sit down with the borders at their main table where they would start bring some of the best food you could get at least that was what I thought at the time... fresh tossed salad, turine of soup, lamb chops, lamb stew, and side dishes of macaroni salad and other types of salads with baskets of fresh sheepherder bread and for desert cheese. A house wine was also served with the meal Oh,one other thing.. you had to stand in the bar and have refreshment until the lady came in and rang a really big bell to tell you "chows on".

Just remember, I took my wife to lunch there while she was 7 months pregnant and a bunch of the men all gave her the ends of the loaf of bread, they told her it give her a male child.

And about two months later, she gave birth to a baby boy..

She had to go back and show all the men the baby, he was about 2 months old and was on the bar in the Santa Fe Hotel in 1979 and later was having all the attention a baby could get with about 35 Basque men all thinking it was their bread that did it...
as we ate another excellent meal French Basque food.

Some of their sheep was run on land over in Inyo and Mono Counties, not sure if that gave a different taste or not, but I had never been a "lamb" person up until I had good lamb.

Just another story...:):)

Skipjack, that Cevapcici is making me hungry just looking at it... I'm going to give that one a try...

[Edited on 10-22-2009 by wessongroup]

capt. mike - 10-22-2009 at 01:14 PM

Gene Wilder knows where to get a good piece of lamb.

tripledigitken - 10-22-2009 at 01:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
Gene Wilder knows where to get a good piece of lamb.


That was baaaaaaaaaaaaad!

Ken

bajajazz - 10-22-2009 at 01:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
Gene Wilder knows where to get a good piece of lamb.


That was baaaaaaaaaaaaad!

Ken


That was a very funny movie . . . what was the title? I can only recall cracking up when Gene told the lamb they "could make it work if they tried."

Skeet/Loreto - 10-22-2009 at 01:45 PM

Wessongroup:

The Santa Fe is still open.
It is just in a bad location now, Just need to carry a weapon in that part of Fresno when you go to Dinner.

mulegejim - 10-22-2009 at 02:01 PM

Mary had a little Lamb,
With her Lamb she did sleep,
The Lamb turned out to be a Ram,
And Mary had a little Lamb.

On a more serious note, as stated above, Costco is a great source for lamb. Also Aemenian or Persian markets usually carry lamb. Had a great B-B-Q lamb chop dinner here in Mulege last night at a friend's place. Can't believe some of the restaurants here don't prepare lamb. I have talked with Ray of Ray's Place in the past and he indicated he may give it a try, so you Mulege folks can indicate you desire for it when he opens.

rob - 10-22-2009 at 02:46 PM

LA PAZ LAMB

I don't have a restauranteur's inside contacts that Jesse certainly has, but 2 or 3 times a year we buy a lamb from a local rancher and butcher it at the ranch - last couple of years we got a lamb as a gift from a grateful local rancher when we saved their cows from mud holes in the the arroyo after a storm!

It works out VERY inexpensively - but trying to find out what I last paid on the hoof. Wrote it down somewhere . . .

Santiago - 10-22-2009 at 02:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajazz
That was a very funny movie . . . what was the title? I can only recall cracking up when Gene told the lamb they "could make it work if they tried."


Woody Allen's "Everything you wanted to know about Sex"

Udo - 10-22-2009 at 02:57 PM

I regularly purchase lamb at the Costco's and Sam's club in the U.S. Perhaps either place can special order it in their respective places in Baja.
I've never looked for it in Baja, however, their meat departments are completely different than I am used to seeing in the US. Mostly less meats. INHO I think that in Baja, the small carnicerias are still supported by the locals, as opposed to buying at the box stores.

chuckbolton - 10-22-2009 at 04:04 PM

in the US all foreign products must carry the label of origin-- seldom (i think never) is fresh lamb imported-- in the midwest there are very few slaughter plants that will do lamb-- i know of only one commercial one outside of kc and only 3 that will do it for an individual--the import number quoted in an earlier post reflect what i would have quessed to be correct-- fresh anything is better than something that has been frozen or canned-- and shipped great distances. i sell lamb locally to an ethnic market (individuals come and purchase the lamb--i deliver to the slaughter house-- only one that i know of will allow the jewish and muslims to come in and slaughter according to religious customs

David K - 10-22-2009 at 04:09 PM

Birria de borrego, would be lamb or what? I love the stuff (and lamb up here as well... with mint jelly on the side)!

tripledigitken - 10-22-2009 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Birria de borrego, would be lamb or what? I love the stuff (and lamb up here as well... with mint jelly on the side)!


If it's Borrego it's lamb! Birria is often Chiva (or goat) which is also good.

Ken

Skipjack Joe - 10-22-2009 at 04:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajazz
That was a very funny movie . . . what was the title? I can only recall cracking up when Gene told the lamb they "could make it work if they tried."


Woody Allen's "Everything you wanted to know about Sex"


You haaad to bring it up, didn't you?

EVERYTHINGSEX.jpg - 49kB

David K - 10-22-2009 at 04:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Birria de borrego, would be lamb or what? I love the stuff (and lamb up here as well... with mint jelly on the side)!


If it's Borrego it's lamb! Birria is often Chiva (or goat) which is also good.

Ken


That's what I thought... since birria (de borrego) is so popular and common, what is the problem with getting 'borrego' from the meat markets in Baja? Where do the birriaias get the stuff?

Now I'm hungry!

the ONLY way to cook lamb

BFS - 10-22-2009 at 04:47 PM

Patagonia style

DSC_0693.JPG - 47kB

otro

BFS - 10-22-2009 at 04:49 PM



DSC_0696.JPG - 46kB

Lamb in Rosarito

Gypsy Jan - 10-22-2009 at 04:49 PM

The El Nido chain of restaurants (El Nido, Los Pelicanos and Tapanco) serve rack of lamb and lamb burritos taken from the critters they raise on their family ranch. The main El Nido restaurant that is a few blocks north of the Rosarito Beach hotel has a meat counter, if I recall correctly.

Also, La Estancia restaurant serves lamb and has a meat counter that sells beef, but I have never checked it for lamb.

Also, I have bought lamb cuts from the Calimax in town.

Someone told me some time ago that lamb is the most unadulterated meat that is commercially raised, i.e., no growth hormones, anitbiotics, etc. They explained to me why that is, but CRS is settling into my life these days.

no dinner

wessongroup - 10-22-2009 at 04:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Wessongroup:

The Santa Fe is still open.
It is just in a bad location now, Just need to carry a weapon in that part of Fresno when you go to Dinner.


sounds the same, would only go for lunch... a little to close to "G' street if it still there too:lol::lol::lol:

JESSE - 10-22-2009 at 04:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Birria de borrego, would be lamb or what? I love the stuff (and lamb up here as well... with mint jelly on the side)!


If it's Borrego it's lamb! Birria is often Chiva (or goat) which is also good.

Ken


That's what I thought... since birria (de borrego) is so popular and common, what is the problem with getting 'borrego' from the meat markets in Baja? Where do the birriaias get the stuff?

Now I'm hungry!


David, birria is made with goat. Barbacoa is made with lamb.

JESSE - 10-22-2009 at 04:59 PM

We buy our lamb from a local grower. But when ever we can't find it locally, you can find lamb legs at Sams and CCC, and lamb Chuck at Soriana and City Club. For rack of lamb, only Costco in Cabo.

We just bought a whole Venison carcass from Lupe Perez. I am going to cut it up and use some parts for braising, some for grillin, and leftovers for machaca and sausages.

[Edited on 10-23-2009 by JESSE]

tripledigitken - 10-22-2009 at 05:00 PM

Jesse,

I have had Birria de Res (beef) up this way. Is it not served down in Baja Sur?

Ken

JESSE - 10-22-2009 at 05:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Jesse,

I have had Birria de Res (beef) up this way. Is it not served down in Baja Sur?

Ken


Its common among Taco stands mainly because its cheaper and easier to make. Almost all birrierias (birria restaurants) use goat. Goat birria is definately tastier, but also fattier and a lot more rich. So not suitable for a quick Taco in the morning a few times a week.

David K - 10-22-2009 at 05:11 PM

Jesse... is goat birria identified as 'chiva', or also as borrego? Is 'borrego' ALWAYS lamb?

Thanks

vandenberg - 10-22-2009 at 05:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
you can find lamb legs at Sams and CCC, and lamb Chuck at Soriana and City Club.

[Edited on 10-23-2009 by JESSE]

Jesse. My timing must be off. I don't have a Sam's card but have a City Club card. Never have seen lamb at any of those stores you mentioned, but that maybe because we're only in La Paz a few times a year. To contradict my own "never" statement, one time I found a leg of lamb at Soriana's, but it was so sorry looking and expensive that I decided against buying.:no:
We will be in La Paz in the next few weeks and will try again.

JESSE - 10-22-2009 at 06:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Jesse... is goat birria identified as 'chiva', or also as borrego? Is 'borrego' ALWAYS lamb?

Thanks


Chivo(a) is Goat
Borrego is Lamb

JESSE - 10-22-2009 at 06:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
you can find lamb legs at Sams and CCC, and lamb Chuck at Soriana and City Club.

[Edited on 10-23-2009 by JESSE]

Jesse. My timing must be off. I don't have a Sam's card but have a City Club card. Never have seen lamb at any of those stores you mentioned, but that maybe because we're only in La Paz a few times a year. To contradict my own "never" statement, one time I found a leg of lamb at Soriana's, but it was so sorry looking and expensive that I decided against buying.:no:
We will be in La Paz in the next few weeks and will try again.


Lamb at Sam's is new, maybe the reason why you didnt see it before. And i agree with you about Soriana's Lamb, it looks like its been there since 1989.

Wiles - 10-22-2009 at 06:51 PM

I remember eating Navajo tacos at the Indian Pow-wows in Flagstaff. Navajo bread & lamb.

DENNIS - 10-22-2009 at 09:49 PM

Poor little bleating teary eyed crying nappy haired babys. Anybody who would kill and eat such a gentle animal and belch approval of that act is only one small step from eating his own young.

While you're at it, quit fishing just to kill fish.

How about a nice salad?

BajaNuts - 10-22-2009 at 11:03 PM

Aw, DENNIS, don't tell me you never sucked down a juicy little oyster, just barely starting it's life?

or a baby red potato, or tender greens in your salad?



sorry, buddy, not gonna bite....:tumble:


BUT!
I do have a comment about the "branding" of food items...

As was brought up earlier in this thread, the reference to "New Zealand Lamb" and similar items, sounds to me like an attempt by the growers to market their product.

Kobe Beef---------(tried a Kobe Beef steak sold at our Washington state grocery store and it could not compete with our locally grown beef which we buy by the Half...........and at less than A THIRD the price of the Kobe beef!)

Lamb- we have a few local sheep ranchers who market their products. We have had several Baja-cooked excellent tasting cabrito dinners which inspired us to try some lamb with home-cooking.

I think some of the hoop-la is marketing by......... the New Zealand Lamb Growers Ass'n. [I don't know if such an organization really exists....but you know the type I'm talking about...] ...

You can't blame them for marketing a product and creating a "demand"...

We see ads sponsored by the Dairymen, the Beef association, the Egg growers, Pork (the other white meat), GotMilk, .............

the list goes on and on...just like the commercials!






PS-DENNIS- I agree with the "kwit fishin' just to kill fish"... sentiment, but don't really see how that applies to this discussion.

Go Sport fishing and catch some awesome fish......AWESOME. Cook them, eat them, can them.... it's all good.

Go Sport fishing and catch some awesome fish...AWESOME. Throw them over the side and go back for more....................not good.


Get back to SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
[Evan Almighty]

duke62 - 10-23-2009 at 12:16 AM

Jesse, love your posts, but, a slight error. A Borrego is a "Mountain Goat." Hence, Borregos Springs, in the San Diego desert where the mountain goats visit their watering holes. There is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Diego that I LOVE that is called El Borrego, and everything on the menu, from soup, to main courses has goat ingredients.

That being said, I love a Bakersfield Basque meal with lamb ("How many of you who will sit and judge me, have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?" - Buck Owens) .

Yum. Love Birria de Chiva(o) as well.

JESSE - 10-23-2009 at 12:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by duke62
Jesse, love your posts, but, a slight error. A Borrego is a "Mountain Goat." Hence, Borregos Springs, in the San Diego desert where the mountain goats visit their watering holes. There is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Diego that I LOVE that is called El Borrego, and everything on the menu, from soup, to main courses has goat ingredients.

That being said, I love a Bakersfield Basque meal with lamb ("How many of you who will sit and judge me, have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?" - Buck Owens) .

Yum. Love Birria de Chiva(o) as well.


I have to disagree duke, in Mexico "Borrego" is the word to describe any domesticated Sheep. The proper word is actually Cordero, but its never used in everyday language. A Mountain goat would be a Cabra, a domesticated goat would be a Chivo.

Go to Google in spanish and search for Borrego and you will see.

Saludos.

tripledigitken - 10-23-2009 at 03:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by duke62
Jesse, love your posts, but, a slight error. A Borrego is a "Mountain Goat." Hence, Borregos Springs, in the San Diego desert where the mountain goats visit their watering holes. There is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Diego that I LOVE that is called El Borrego, and everything on the menu, from soup, to main courses has goat ingredients.

That being said, I love a Bakersfield Basque meal with lamb ("How many of you who will sit and judge me, have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?" - Buck Owens) .

Yum. Love Birria de Chiva(o) as well.



Duke62,

Agree about El Borrego an excellent restaurant. Their source, by the way is New Zealand Lamb.

On your comments about Borrego Springs you are mistaken. Borrego which has been translated many times is Sheep and the animals that call Borrego Springs home are Bighorn Sheep....

"They are the home of the peninsular bighorn sheep, often called desert bighorn. Few park visitors ever see them; the sheep are justly wary. A patient few observers each year see and count them, to learn how this endangered species is coping with human encroachment."

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

Ken

[Edited on 10-23-2009 by tripledigitken]

David K - 10-23-2009 at 07:33 AM

Words have multiple meanings... A borrego is a BIGHORN SHEEP, what you are calling a 'Mountain Goat'... See, even in English a goat and a sheep have the same name!

Another word used for BIGHORN is 'Cimarron', but I think that means 'ram' (male bighorn sheep)?


Here are some we saw near Mision Santa Maria in 2007...

MSM07 133r.JPG - 48kB

ha! how about after he broke up with

capt. mike - 10-23-2009 at 08:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajazz
That was a very funny movie . . . what was the title? I can only recall cracking up when Gene told the lamb they "could make it work if they tried."


Woody Allen's "Everything you wanted to know about Sex"


the sheep (is that use singular?) he became a woolite alcoholic. cracked me up man.