Tuesday 4 October 2011

Beyond Fat-tailed lamb

Writing cookbooks introduces you to lots of people, in person and by email. In Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, with RecipesI wrote about my search for fat-tailed lamb. Several people wrote offering the tail, but I couldn't accept as there was no way to bring it legally into Canada. Then Laurie Maus, wrote from a farm halfway between Ottawa and Montréal, telling me that she had fat-tailed sheep and would put some aside for me. Finally I would get to try it, however I haven't been to visit her yet.
I wish I was in Canada so I could attend the tasting she is holding a tasting of different rare breed lambs including Tunis, Border Leicester, Shropshire and Shetland. I'm not smart enough to reproduce the poster she sent but here are the details of the event.

Not all lamb is created equal. Taste the difference of heritage breed lambs.
Chef-prepared lamb originating from several different breeds will be
available for a taste comparison as a centerpiece for a catered meal. You
will be judging the different breeds. Vote for your favorite.
When: Sunday, October 23, 2011 (doors open 12:15, meal at 1:15 pm)
Where: Dunvegan Recreational Association Hall, County Road 24, Dunvegan, ON
Directions: Exit 51 off the 417East onto Highland Road going south. First left past the
Tim Horton’s onto County Road 24, Approx 7 km to the Dunvegan Hall.
Cost: $25, Under 10 for Free
Contact: Lindley McPhail 613-445-0754 lindley_mcphail@xplornet.com
Laurie Maus 613-527-1897 info@hawkhillfarm.ca
Ticket purchase is required before the event

8 comments:

Robert Mauri said...

I was reading the hind quarters section of "Odd Bits" this morning, and I was wondering if you were still in search of the elusive fat tailed sheep. I guess I have my answer.

Congratulations on finally finding a source and I hope that you post some pictures and the recipe when you do finally have it. I happened to be on your blog to grab your amatriciana recipe for tonight's dinner (along with the pot of chicken stock using you "Bones" recipe for chicken soup tomorrow), so I guess it is an all Jennifer recipe day!

Jennifer said...

An all Jennifer day! You do me proud Robert. I will certainly post about the fat-tailed lamb when
I finally get my hands on it. Enjoy the amatriciana.

Steve Wilson said...

Great news that you've finally found a source for fat-tailed lamb. 'Fat', 'Bones' and 'Odd Bits' are my favourite cookbooks, wonderful writing, recipes and photography. Thank you for writing them, and for your blog. I googled Hawkhill farm and found Laurie's poster in case your readers want to see it. Joking about charging higher ticket price for teenage boys made me laugh out loud!! www.rarebreedscanada.ca/pdfs/feastoflamb.pdf

Laurie Maus said...

Jennifer, the tails will wait for you. I am really sorry to say we have had to postpone the lamb tasting because of our inability to find a chef who was willing or able to take it on. I gather having multiple legs of lamb that must be cooked separately but the same proved too much of a challenge outside of an industrial kitchen setting. However, it is postponed until we can arrange something so hopefully you will be able to make it the next time we get all our ducks (or in this case chefs) in a row. Best regards, Laurie

Jennifer said...

Sorry to hear that Laurie, but perhaps when all those ducks are in a row I'll be in Toronto and able to come.

Laurie Maus said...

I will keep you informed. Just to let you know that one of our clients called us yesterday and asked if he could get the kidneys, heart and liver with his lamb. It turns out he just discovered a new book called "Odd Bits". I would love to see all the lamb be used except the baaa. You are changing people's attitude to food little by little and in my opinion for the better.

Anonymous said...

hi can u tell me where i could buy a fat tailed lamb either alive or meat and ty so much

Jennifer said...

If you are interested in fat-tail lamb follow the link by clicking on Laurie Maus the author of a previous comment to get to her website. She has fat-tail lamb occasionally.

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