WHat would you think if you went to a party and they had a lamb roast not a hog roast???

[MadameCastafiore]

Because I don't eat pork and am thinking of getting someone in to do a lamb roast for DH's birthday party. We always have a BBQ but he ends up doing the cooking and I end up schlepping in and out from the kitchen so thought I could just do loads of diffent kinds of salads and cous cous to go with it???

Or any other ideas would be appreciated - there will be about 40 - 50 people.

At what age does lamb become mutton?

Hold on though - 6 months is still baby.
That's still young and frolicky.

lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala

Whan it starts dressing half its age!!!! [wink[

Usually about two, sheep tend to be classified as to what teeth they have.

Heifers become cows after two calves.

But I digress, your idea sounds great.

I wouldn't think anything

Thank you Madame I was waiting for that

Personally I think the sight of a whole animal roasting on the spit is far more honest than the little punnets from the supermarket. Hiding behind the sterility of modern meat packaging and pretending it's not a dead animal seems hypocritical. If you want to talk about 'respect' for the animal, then spit roasting the whole beast seems far more honest and respectful than little bloodless, trimmed joints sitting in polystyrene and cling film.

British lamb is free range with excellent welfare standards. As meat goes, it's pretty environmentally friendly as sheep raising is very low impact - no fertilizers needed and little in the way of supplementary feeds required.

If you want to see real lack of respect for animals, have a look at intensive chicken and pork farming - that's the true scandal.

OP - it's a great idea for a party - look for a yearling or even a younger hogget as they will have much better flavour. If you can get a salt marsh lamb even better.

Ooooohhhh think we have salt marshes round here - local butcher is doing it so will ask him.

Thank you very much for your input - usually I like it in a little wrapper from the supermarket as I don't like touching raw meat but lurve eating meat and not bothered about seeing carcasses.

Is a lamb like a dog - do they have more than one year to one of ours do you know?

I would think "delicious"

Thanks hogsback, that's very interesting.

I agree with the sterile packaging thing. I am a vegetarian, and do believe that you should see where your food comes from if you eat meat. Just not a fan of the spit, as I don't eat meat!

But yes, very interesting about British lamb being free range and environmentally friendly. Very interesting indeed :)

I would love it - sounds delicious! Can you get some flat bread rather than the rolls they normally do the pork with? Would go much better I think.

I'd think yum too!! Have pitta for it to go in with yoghurt mint sauce as some have suggested.

Roasting an animal on a spit is just an easier way to cook it for a large group of people than cooking lots of individual portions. Anyone who thinks it's wrong should stop eating meat as they are being a total hypocrite. I agree with whoever said it was a more honest way of cooking it than sterile supermarket packs.

Some people don't like lamb so another option would be good.

If you prefer Lamb to pork then go for it.
It just occurred to me though is your friend who is a vegetarian a very good friend who your DH would really want there? Just asking because I'm veggie and TBH I wouldn't come to something like this. I don't have a problem with other people eating meat (I think it should be a personal choice) but to see an animal on a spit would make me feel ill.
Maybe you should ask around all your close friends to see if they like the idea? Its there opinion that really matters (as well as your DHs!).

Delish, can I come?

I love roasts, and am a good guest and even if I wasn't keen, I'd take a small piece and thank you for inviting me.

To be on the safe side for any fussy buggers you'd maybe want to do some chicken and make sure you have plenty of bread and salad.

I'd just uninvite the fussies and invite me instead

Course you can come Netto - lots of people coming from mumsnet already it seems!

Veggie friend is ok with it - he is great - cooks roasts for his kids and wife and really doesn;t mind.

Was thinking about getting a few spatchcock chikcens from waitrose as they are pretty yummy and doing them in the oven.

'Carrots have feelings too you know you just can;t hear them scream!' The last time someone actually said that to me in a mocking tone was about 1986 and it wasn't funny back then, but by all means take the piss.

'Ingrid what is the difference between spit roasting an animal and roasting it cut up. It is not entertainment it is a way of cooking.'

Why not just serve your guests cut up lamb then...why the need for a big ol' spit? What's the point?

I'll never really understand. But each to their own. I'm not invited and if I was, I wouldn't go. You did ask.

Id think yum yum!