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Fresh lamb mince or Frozen ?


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Old 09-11-2016, 12:09
Andy Birkenhead
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Is frozen minced lamb as good as fresh ?
I am on a budget and I want to make a shepherds pie.
Frozen lamb mince is half the price as fresh, but is it as good as fresh ?
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:22
darkjedimaster
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Is frozen minced lamb as good as fresh ?
I am on a budget and I want to make a shepherds pie.
Frozen lamb mince is half the price as fresh, but is it as good as fresh ?
Depends on where you get it from to be honest, I often buy Icelands frozen minced lamb which costs £2.50 for 454g & it is delicious in a shepherds pie. I have tried over cheap supermarkets and the taste has been pretty bland. I cannot remember the last time that I bought fresh lamb mince.
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Old 09-11-2016, 14:03
Andy Birkenhead
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Depends on where you get it from to be honest, I often buy Icelands frozen minced lamb which costs £2.50 for 454g & it is delicious in a shepherds pie. I have tried over cheap supermarkets and the taste has been pretty bland. I cannot remember the last time that I bought fresh lamb mince.
I live around the corner from Iceland and Asda.
Icelands is slightly cheaper so I will go with theirs.
Thanks
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Old 09-11-2016, 21:35
Toby LaRhone
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In a Sheperd's Pie I doubt you'd notice the difference provided it's well seasoned.
If need be try adding something like a sachet of Coleman's Sheperd's Pie mix or maybe a strong stock cube/ stock pot and/or agood splash of Worcesterdhire sauce, a spoon of horseradish, a spoon of whole grain mustard.
Whatever you choose add a little at a time and keep tasting until you're happy.
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Old 10-11-2016, 10:10
MR_Pitkin
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Try thinly chopped medium chilies, for a spicy little kick.
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Old 10-11-2016, 10:39
malpasc
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I think for a shepherd's pie it wouldn't make a huge difference.

You might find if the frozen is considerably cheaper than fresh it might be a bit fattier, but that can be resolved by making sure you drain off the fat when you brown the mince.

Once you've added your seasonings, stock etc, it'll be the same as if you'd done it with fresh.
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Old 10-11-2016, 10:51
Shrike
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I've found the "grain size" from cooking frozen mince much smaller than fresh, so the texture can end up a bit pappy. But you might like it that way! Other than that frozen is fine. I've also had mutton/lamb frozen mince which has a better flavour imho than pure lamb.
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Old 10-11-2016, 11:28
lukeskywalker1
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I don't really like lamb mince, I'd rather make shepherd's pie out of leftover roast lamb leg or shoulder. It's pretty damn expensive though.
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Old 11-11-2016, 11:34
Andy Birkenhead
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I don't really like lamb mince, I'd rather make shepherd's pie out of leftover roast lamb leg or shoulder. It's pretty damn expensive though.
Yes, it IS very expensive.
If we ever have a leg of lamb (a VERY rare treat). there is nothing left over !
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Old 11-11-2016, 12:17
lukeskywalker1
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Yes, it IS very expensive.
If we ever have a leg of lamb (a VERY rare treat). there is nothing left over !
I only ever buy it if it's on a half price offer, it's about £25 in tesco normally for a leg, that is just way too much!

Pork shoulder is much better value, about £7 for the same weight of meat and it tastes amazing.
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