It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket if they
had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the package
very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
Can you say RANCID?

Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd had it
in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the receipt. (And
before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The freezer
is just fine, thanks.)

So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll prepare
instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread bowls. Glad I
didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have hated to
poison anyone.

Jill
--
I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.

jmcquown wrote:
> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket if they
> had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
> brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
> and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
> Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the package
> very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
> getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
> Can you say RANCID?
>
> Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd had it
> in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the receipt. (And
> before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The freezer
> is just fine, thanks.)
>
> So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll prepare
> instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread bowls. Glad I
> didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have hated to
> poison anyone.
>
> Jill


Cryovac lamb smells like that when you first open the package. Let it
air out a little and it's probably fine.

Seriously,
Bob

zxcvbob wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
> > It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket
if they
> > had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the
back and
> > brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I
found these
> > and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got
home.
> > Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened
the package
> > very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks
and
> > getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across
the face.
> > Can you say RANCID?
> >
> > Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd
had it
> > in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the
receipt. (And
> > before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The
freezer
> > is just fine, thanks.)
> >
> > So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll
prepare
> > instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread
bowls. Glad I
> > didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have
hated to
> > poison anyone.
> >
> > Jill
>
>
> Cryovac lamb smells like that when you first open the package. Let
it
> air out a little and it's probably fine.

Yeah, right... that's what the french say why the can-can was invented.

Sheldon

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
. ..
> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket if they
> had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
> brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
> and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
> Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the
package
> very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
> getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
> Can you say RANCID?
>
> Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd had it
> in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the receipt.
(And
> before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The freezer
> is just fine, thanks.)
>
> So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll
prepare
> instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread bowls. Glad
I
> didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have hated
to
> poison anyone.
>
> Jill
> --
> I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.


Jill,

I'd still take them back, personally. I remember the Christmas I bought a
kosher turkey, and since I wasn't brining that I didn't open it until
Christmas morning. Yowza...the smell was powerful and bad. We ended up
having roast beef that year...no way was I going to get another turkey. I
didn't eat turkey for 11 months after that!
I took the turkey back, and they gave me a double refund, and apologized.
Never even asked for the reciept.

kimberly
>
>

zxcvbob wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket
>> if they had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in
>> the back and brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said
>> here, I found these and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the
>> freezer when I got home. Thawed them out in the fridge overnight
>> Friday/Saturday. Opened the package very early this morning with
>> the intention of browning the shanks and getting the stock started.
>> The smell smacked me directly across the face. Can you say RANCID?
>>
>> Jill
>
>
> Cryovac lamb smells like that when you first open the package. Let it
> air out a little and it's probably fine.
>
> Seriously,
> Bob

Nonsense! It smelled like I'd left it sitting in the garage for a week (and
I don't even have a garage!). I've bought plenty of lamb in my lifetime but
none of it *ever* smelled like two-week old sweaty gym socks stuffed in a
college boy's duffel bag. I tossed 'em.

Jill

Nexis wrote:
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket
>> if they had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in
>> the back and brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said
>> here, I found these and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the
>> freezer when I got home. Thawed them out in the fridge overnight
>> Friday/Saturday. Opened the package very early this morning with
>> the intention of browning the shanks and getting the stock started.
>> The smell smacked me directly across the face. Can you say RANCID?
>>
>> Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd
>> had it in the freezer for a couple of months
>> Jill
>> --
>> I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.
>
>
> Jill,
>
> I'd still take them back, personally.

Too late, Kimberly, I already tossed them out. In fact, the garbage can
wasn't full but I had to take it outside anyway due to the horrible stench.
Live and learn (and don't trust the guy with the dark hair behind the meat
counter who says, "Wait right here, I'll find you some lamb shanks.") LOL

Jill

I remember the Christmas I
> bought a kosher turkey, and since I wasn't brining that I didn't open
> it until Christmas morning. Yowza...the smell was powerful and bad.
> We ended up having roast beef that year...no way was I going to get
> another turkey. I didn't eat turkey for 11 months after that!
> I took the turkey back, and they gave me a double refund, and
> apologized. Never even asked for the reciept.
>
> kimberly

jmcquown wrote:
>
> Nonsense! It smelled like I'd left it sitting in the garage for a
> week (and I don't even have a garage!).

It shouldn't smell *that* bad, but cryovac meat often smells "off" when
you first open it, and lamb especially.

> I've bought plenty of lamb in my lifetime but none of it *ever*
> smelled like two-week old sweaty gym socks stuffed in a college boy's
> duffel bag. I tossed 'em.
>

I still might have cut it up and browned a little to see what happens --
of course, *I* didn't smell it. If the meat is bad, the smell will get
much worse (and you quickly take the pan outside so it doesn't stink up
the house.) Otherwise, the smell will change and it will smell good
when it browns a little.

Sounds like maybe you got screwed. But one the bright side, the butcher
*finally* got rid of that package of lamb that's been in the back since
1998. ;;-)

Best regards,
Bob

zxcvbob wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>>
>> Nonsense! It smelled like I'd left it sitting in the garage for a
>> week (and I don't even have a garage!).
>
> It shouldn't smell *that* bad, but cryovac meat often smells "off"
> when you first open it, and lamb especially.
>
>> I've bought plenty of lamb in my lifetime but none of it *ever*
>> smelled like two-week old sweaty gym socks stuffed in a college boy's
>> duffel bag. I tossed 'em.
>>
>
> I still might have cut it up and browned a little to see what happens
> -- of course, *I* didn't smell it. If the meat is bad, the smell
> will get much worse (and you quickly take the pan outside so it
> doesn't stink up the house.) Otherwise, the smell will change and it
> will smell good when it browns a little.
>
> Sounds like maybe you got screwed. But one the bright side, the
> butcher *finally* got rid of that package of lamb that's been in the
> back since 1998. ;;-)
>
> Best regards,
> Bob

LOL! The funny thing is, the store was bought out. I used to buy lamb
(loin chops, shanks, ground lamb, etc.) but after the switch suddenly they
didn't have any. I went in and asked for lamb shanks, oh, uh, hold on. He
brought this package from the back. Next time I went in, what do I see on
display? Lamb shanks and other things. Ditto andouille and chaurice
sausage. So, while I may have gotten a bad package of lamb, they are at
least stocking things like the "old" store did. Doesn't change my meal
plans for tonight. I'm still making potato-leek soup

Jill

"jmcquown" wrote in message > It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher
at the stupidmarket if they
> had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
> brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
> and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
> Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the
> package
> very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
> getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
> Can you say RANCID?
>
> Jill

Sorry about your Easter dinner, Jill.

I had a similar experience. Bought marrow bones from the supermarket and
the package had an expiration date which was several days away. When I
opened the package - phew! - blew me away, so into the garbage they quickly
went. The butcher had obviously recycled the package and that still bugs
me.

Dora

jmcquown wrote:

> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket if they
> had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
> brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
> and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
> Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the package
> very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
> getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
> Can you say RANCID?
>
> Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd had it
> in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the receipt. (And
> before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The freezer
> is just fine, thanks.)
>
> So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll prepare
> instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread bowls. Glad I
> didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have hated to
> poison anyone.

What a shame. I hate to waste good lamb. One local store recently began to carry
bags of frozen New Zealand stewing lamb and I have had incredible results with
it. I have to take a run out to that store this week to see if they have lamb
shanks. My sister in law is coming for a visit next week with her daughter and
law and has requested that I do a lamb shanks and caramelized onion dish that
she liked so much the last time she had it here.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
. ..
> It was a month or more ago I asked the butcher at the stupidmarket if they
> had any lamb shanks. There were none out front. He went in the back and
> brought out a package of cryo-vac'd lamb shanks - said here, I found these
> and packed them up for you. I stuck them in the freezer when I got home.
> Thawed them out in the fridge overnight Friday/Saturday. Opened the
> package
> very early this morning with the intention of browning the shanks and
> getting the stock started. The smell smacked me directly across the face.
> Can you say RANCID?
>
> Obviously it was too late for me to take the package back since I'd had it
> in the freezer for a couple of months and no longer have the receipt.
> (And
> before you ask, no, nothing else in the freezer has gone bad. The freezer
> is just fine, thanks.)
>
> So I'd planned on a hearty lamb stew with leeks today but what I'll
> prepare
> instead is my potato-leek soup in nice toasty sourdough bread bowls. Glad
> I
> didn't invite anyone over with the promise of lamb stew. I'd have hated
> to
> poison anyone.
>
> Jill
> --
> I used to have a handle on life...but it broke off.

:-(

Bummer.....

At least you've learned they don't usually cry-o-vac at store level.

Dimitri

jmcquown wrote:
> Nexis wrote:
> >
> > I'd still take them back, personally.
>
> Too late, Kimberly, I already tossed them out. In fact, the garbage
can
> wasn't full but I had to take it outside anyway due to the horrible
stench.

In my experience, they don't want the meat - just take back the
packaging and you'll get your refund.

As for that stinky meat... if it happened in my house, this is the time
to put it into the freezer and keep it frozen until the trash is picked
up. You never now what varmits will tip over your garbage can just to
get to that meat.

sf

Dave Smith wrote:
> My sister in law is coming for a visit next week with her daughter
and
> law and has requested that I do a lamb shanks and caramelized onion
dish that
> she liked so much the last time she had it here.

I love lamb shanks! What's your recipe?
It's ok to email a copy to me at g mail.


sf

sf wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:
> > My sister in law is coming for a visit next week with her daughter
> and
> > law and has requested that I do a lamb shanks and caramelized onion
> dish that
> > she liked so much the last time she had it here.
>
> I love lamb shanks! What's your recipe?
> It's ok to email a copy to me at g mail.
>

You're lucky. I was able to find it on the net so I can do some cutting
and pasting.

http://canadianliving.com/CanadianLi...ilRecipe.asp?=
idRe=3D4744



LAMB SHANKS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS


Ingredients

=95
1 tablespoon (15 mL) vegetable oil


=95
6 lamb shanks


=95
2 onions, chopped


=95
3 cloves garlic, chopped


=95
1-1/2 teaspoons (7 mL) cinnamon


=95
1 teaspoon (5 mL) paprika


=95
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) each salt, pepper and turmeric (2 mL)


=95
Pinch hot pepper flakes


=95
4 cups (1 L) beef stock


=95
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) tomatoes, coarsely chopped


=95
3 large carrots, thickly sliced


=95
4 zucchini, thickly sliced


=95
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chick-peas, drained and rinsed


=95
Caramelized onions:


=95
2 tablespoons (25 mL) butter


=95
4 onions, sliced


=95
1 tablespoon (15 mL) granulated sugar


=95
3/4 teaspoon (4 mL) cinnamon


=95
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) ground ginger


=95
1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) each salt, pepper and turmeric


=95
1/2 cup (125 mL) raisins


=95
1/4 cup (50 mL) slivered almonds, toasted


Preparation
In large heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown lamb
shanks all over, in batches. Transfer to plate. Drain off any fat in pan.=


Reduce heat to medium. Add onions, garlic, cinnamon, paprika, salt,
pepper, turmeric and hot pepper flakes to pan; cook, stirring often, for
5 minutes or until softened.

Return shanks and any accumulated juices to pan. Add beef stock and
tomatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1 1/2
hours or until lamb is just tender.

Increase heat to medium. Add carrots, zucchini and chick-peas; simmer,
covered, for about 20 minutes or until lamb and vegetables are tender.

Strain, reserving liquid; set meat and vegetables aside. Return reserved
liquid to pan; boil for about 15 minutes or until reduced to half. Return=

meat and vegetables to pan; heat through.

Caramelized onions: Meanwhile, in large heavy skillet, melt butter over
medium heat. Add onions, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, pepper and
turmeric; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add
raisins; cook for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally,
for about 5 minutes or until onions are golden and no liquid remains.

Ladle stew into warmed bowls. Top with caramelized onions; sprinkle with
almonds.