Lamb Shank

[nicebloke1]

Why would anyone now buy a lamb shank. Lamb shanks have become more popular over the past 4 years due to supermarkets making them more available, why? Most folk know what a lamb shank is, but maybe in this fast food, quick fix world some my not. So take your own leg as a guide, chop the foot off below the ankle, measure about 8 inches up the leg and chop off, you will hit a nice lump of meat, that's your lamb shank.

Now the supermarkets over the last 12 months have started to cut these lamb shanks shorter and shorter, hence what you have now is 75% bone, the other 25% is now just gristle, tendon and tough fibrous tissue, all for the grand total £12 per kilo. Some supermarkets and frozen food stores sell them in pretty boxes, and yes with some fab art work on the box of this big mouth watering roast, ( don't be fooled) buy 2 boneless leg chops at the same price per kilo. much better value. What they are selling you is a expensive bone.

[Zacs-Master]

OK nicey. OK.

[Mamyalynne]

I was right, he's a butcher.

[hc4361]

I buy both boneless leg chops and shanks from my fabulous butcher. I slow cook the shanks in a red wine sauce and the meat is tender and plentiful, served with mashed potato and lots of veg.
I grill the chops and serve with chips, mushrooms and veg.

In my opinion the two cuts aren't interchangeable but both are delicious.

[Zacs-Master]

Grated cheese, beefburgers, meat balls.... He's really got it in for the supermarkets, hasn't he!

[spathiphyllum]

I've always rated the neck of lamb over a shank.

Tonight though, inspired by this post... I shall try to do minted lamb chops with broccoli

[hc4361]

I've just had a quick look at the Tesco website for prices - lamb shank is £10 a kilo, boneless leg steaks £12.20 a kilo.

[ummmm]

Can't you condense your questions?

[Mamyalynne]

Neck of lamb is delicious.

[retrocop]

I totally agree with nicebloke 1. The lamb shanks have grown smaller as their popularity increases. Like most meat and offal that was once cheap as chips. Soon as some TV chef puts a cheap cut with a tempting recipe on the programme the popularity soars and up goes the price.
I made the point that niceone1 made re Lamb shanks to a local butcher and was told the bigger joints are snapped up by Hotels and other catering establishments. I note most lamb shanks in my butcher are offered in twin packs because there is nothing on them.

[spathiphyllum]

At least one lamb can give 4 shanks. With the neck, you only get one. ;)

[naomi24]

I like lamb shanks.

[spathiphyllum]

Anyone have any suggestions apart from broccoli to have with my minted lamb? Maybe some mash potatoes?

[Rockrose]

Bet you’re a real laugh at dinner parties

[Arksided]

Ewe lot are making me feel hungry.

She doesn't mind btw... ;-)

[nicebloke1]

hc4361 is not a very good shopper he/she thinks that £10 per kilo for the lamb shank is better value than paying £12.20 for the boneless leg chops. hc4361 you are paying £10 per kilo for a bone and gristle.

[sherrardk]

Are you the shopping police?

[naomi24]

The lamb shanks I buy aren't bone and gristle. You're shopping in the wrong places, nicebloke1.

[nicebloke1]

If you go to a proper butcher for a lamb shank it will almost consist of nearly half the leg, up from the ankle, but supermarkets have decided on our behalf that it is now 4/5 inches of bone only.

[gness]

"So take your own leg....chop the foot off below the ankle"??

I'd not be able to work the sewing machine to make my own curtains..... ;-)

[hc4361]

There is a LOT of meat on the lamb shanks I buy from my butcher. His shanks are considerably cheaper than his boneless leg steaks but as he doesn't sell online I can't quote today's prices.
I consider myself to be both a savvy shopper and a good cook, getting the best out of all the food I buy.