Cooking an ancient ram

[comanche 2,799]

Poor old Clem had reached his sell-by date. We were not sure how old he was but his teeth were going and at close to 300lbs his old legs and feet were showing the strain.

The consensus amongst thosr that claimed to know was that he woukd taste like a dead fox and be tough to the point of being inedible. 

Mince or burgers seemed the popular option. I wasn't  so sure and decided that he deserved better treatment.  Especially after talking to a friend with a Ghanaian Sister in Law . Apparently proper superanuated mutton is virtually unobtainable in this country.  So there was one appreciative customer lined-up!

So though parts of Clem were reduced to a "mere" 240 burgers his big legs and shoulders were rendered into a selection of small joints. 

All l can say is l'm glad l didn't  listen to to the self proclaimed expert's. 

Six hours slow roasting with no added fat or fancy preparation,just a covering of foil, produced  what can only be described as amazing!

Not tough    , not rank tasting ; just a proper meaty texture with a tiny hint of salty spicyness.

 

Edited August 19, 2021 by comanche

[terryd 8,043]

Bloody awesome love that. Fine end to the old fella. Super job and mouth watering too 

[mushroom 12,388]

23 minutes ago, comanche said:

Poor old Clem had reached his sell-by date. We were not sure how old he was but his teeth were going and at close to 300lbs his old legs and feet were showing the strain.

The consensus amongst thosr that claimed to know was that he woukd taste like a dead fox and be tough to the point of being inedible. 

Mince or burgers seemed the popular option. I wasn't  so sure and decided that he deserved better treatment.  Especially after talking to a friend with a Ghanaian Sister in Law . Apparently proper superanuated mutton is virtually unobtainable in this country.  So there was one appreciative customer lined-up!

So though parts of Clem were reduced to a "mere" 240 burgers his big legs and shoulders were rendered into a selection of small joints. 

All l can say is l'm glad l didn't  listen to to the self proclaimed expert's. 

Six hours slow roasting with no added fat or fancy preparation,just a covering of foil, produced  what can only be described as amazing!

Not tough    , not rank tasting ; just a proper meaty texture with a tiny hint of salty spicyness.

 

Soak a couple of the joints over night, in a mint/vinegar marinade, that'd be my first port of call

 

[FLATTOP 3,665]

An excellent life he looked in superb condition, and to provide like that after his death absolutely perfect how it should be well done the meat looks great. 

[socks 32,253]

Poor clem

[comanche 2,799]

12 hours ago, mushroom said:

Soak a couple of the joints over night, in a mint/vinegar marinade, that'd be my first port of call

 

Why ? There's  nothing wrong with it as it is. Actually ,sorry that sounded a bit rude.

Marinading in milk or vinegar were among the  various well meant suggestions for tenderizing the meat and  obviously slow cooked stews or curries  . And some of him is already bound for the Caribbean route.

The thing is rather than just take people's word that he would have similar natural texture to the inside of a golf ball ;  l just had to know for myself. 

Hence the lack of preparation and simple cooking and if asked what  old ram meat is like l can now give an opinion from experience. 

Quite looking forward to a ram curry though Mushroom

 

Edited August 20, 2021 by comanche

[OldPhil 5,360]

Well done, that looks like a meal from the days of the Tudors

[bell 3,503]

The way it should be......

[lurchers 2,598]

Looks very nice that mate

[vfr400boy 3,120]

Looks very nice that ! Am going to weigh some of my lambs this weekend and get some booked in 

[mushroom 12,388]

23 hours ago, comanche said:

Why ? There's  nothing wrong with it as it is. Actually ,sorry that sounded a bit rude.

Marinading in milk or vinegar were among the  various well meant suggestions for tenderizing the meat and  obviously slow cooked stews or curries  . And some of him is already bound for the Caribbean route.

The thing is rather than just take people's word that he would have similar natural texture to the inside of a golf ball ;  l just had to know for myself. 

Hence the lack of preparation and simple cooking and if asked what  old ram meat is like l can now give an opinion from experience. 

Quite looking forward to a ram curry though Mushroom

 

If I insulted you, I apologise. I only meant try it.

[Nicepix 5,650]

I bet those sweetbreads took some chewing! 

[comanche 2,799]

On 20/08/2021 at 10:12, OldPhil said:

Well done, that looks like a meal from the days of the Tudors

Funny you should say that Phil.  It's  a standing joke that the contents of my freezer would do King John proud

Yet l live in a peasant's hovel

[comanche 2,799]

On 21/08/2021 at 09:43, mushroom said:

If I insulted you, I apologise. I only meant try it.

No you didn't ;you were being helpful

[mole trapper 1,646]

Thank goodness you didn't waste it. I used to look after a deer herd on a holiday site,  they gad petting sheep etc. When one got lame or prolapsed too often I was asked to despatch and bury, we always ate them and thoroughly enjoyed.