Neck of lamb

Having gone through a spell of making stews with neck of lamb - sometimes called Lancashire Hot Pot - necks of lamb have been absent for getting on for a decade.

Entire at the point of purchase and I was impressed by the way the butcher chopped it up, taking two blows to make each cut. One a marker, as it were, and then the serious blow. Not something I could manage these days with a hand axe at all - while the butcher said that it was mainly a matter of concentrating - with the potential for losing chunks of fingers concentrating the mind.

Weighed in at 4lbs 8oz, which we thought a little much for two, so we removed three pieces, now frozen, which took it down to 3lbs 4oz.

Cracked out the big saucepan, only used on state occasions, and started frying the meat at 10:50. After a bit, three onions. Four modest sticks of celery. Some left over potatoes, in place of the usual lentils. Couple of pints of water. Brought it all to the boil and then to simmer by 11:30. Aiming for 14:00.

At which point trolley No.484 was calling. While BH got to work on a punnet of discounted plums from South Africa, stewed for dessert on this occasion, previously used in cakes.

Sliced potatoes on top at 13:10. Sprouts - not the greatest sprouts but they made a nice change - some time later. Enlivened by some new wooden spoons from the wood-ware chap who has turned up in the market. No idea what sort of a living he makes with these spoons coming in at a pound a pop. 

Forks down at 14:00.

All turned out pretty well. BH (two pieces) likes her meat tender and liked it as it was, I (three pieces) thought perhaps half an hour or so less cooking might have been better. Two pieces left over for later.

The wine might have been Villa Maris Sauvignon Blanc, as sold by Wetherspoon's. All rounded off with aforementioned plums. Plus some tub custard for her - not being keen myself on any kind of custard with my stewed fruit. Maybe hot with apple crumble. 

Contrary to what one might think with meat of this sort, very little left for the crows. We assumed that they would not be interested in the bones - although the unwanted foxes might well be. I believe they have surprisingly strong jaws and can break into all kinds of stuff you might have thought beyond them.

References

Reference 1: https://pumpkinstrokemarrow.blogspot.com/search?q=neck+lamb. The spell.

Reference 2: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/03/trolley-484.html.