Welcome , don't wait to be seated , tuck in!

Greetings,
I report to you in my official post as The Australian Lambassador to California , or if you like , ALC ( this is an acronym not a description).

I like to track food happenings where ever they may be , but especially those that I am personally involved with , because to put it simply , I love to eat , graze , gorge , scoff , scarf , guzzle , grub , nibble , munch and devour all kinds of edibles .
And I really love to tell lots of people all about it.

Yes , I am the ALC , and yes I do love lamb. Perhaps love is not quite strong enough a word , adore and worship also come to mind . But that does not mean that I will only be reporting on the eating of lamb . No I do not discriminate when it comes to tucker .
Never let it be said that I am a one dimensional diner , I eat it all , and in large quantities and with a sparkle in my eye (except for those weird sweet and sour dried plums - can't handle ).

All that being said , seeing that this is my first posting , it is only fitting that I write about a little roast lamb dinner that occurred two nights ago.

My family and I are fortunate enough to have some exceptionally warm and generous friends , who also happen to raise their own sheep . To protect their identities let's call them the Keiselhorsts , which I believe is German for hunter/gatherer.
The K's were kind enough to arrive with a lightly seasoned leg of home grown lamb . The leg had been rubbed with olive oil and sprinkled very simply with some basic herbs and spices. No need to enhance any of the lambs natural flavours on this occasion , we were going neat.
The leg was then expertly deboned and butterflied by the patriarch of the K clan , who had apparently had a little experience in this field , and then popped into the awaiting and warm oven.

About an hour later we were all over it like a pack of rabid ferals on the Arcata plaza.
The lamb was of course superb , tender , mouth-watering , nearly bringing a tear to my eye - yes it was an emotional moment .

There were condiments to be had , and at this point I need to come clean to you about something.
We've been together a little while now and feel that we are close enough that I can open up to you about a personal matter . You see , I have a substance abuse problem.
Masterfoods Hot English Mustard is my poison , and when it comes to lamb or any other meats for that matter , the primal urge to smear some of that zesty , spicy goodness is way beyond my control . It's got a hold of me alright , I've tried to abstain , even downgrade to less potent mustards , but I always end up digging up one of those little, cutesy jars from one of my many hiding spots .
Classic addict behaviour I know. My inner struggle will go on , I am currently undergoing horse radish therapy but I think we all know that it's futile , I'll never quit.
That hot English high is part of me now. We are on this meat journey together for now and forever and amen to that.

The side dishes were also magnificent . Oven cooked seasoned poatoes , steamed broccholi , glorious salad with roasted beets and even a savoury focaccia for dipping into the plentiful pan juices.

The quantities were also substantial , which was providing me with a warm inner glow at the thought of the copious leftovers that would be on hand . These feelings were shortlived and promptly hijacked by the late arrival of Chris K (pictured to the left) , lamb-eating test pilot and owner of a substantial appetite . To use some fishing phraseology , let's just say that when he arrived he was "on the bite".
The leftovers were soon hoovered , my visions of lamb sandwiches smothered with you know what , shattered .
But seeing Chris' contented grin as he mopped up with the focaccia bread eased my loss , and I too was content after having food-tracked his meal from a good vantage point and was secure in the knowledge that I had seen a true lambophile in full gallop.

A little piece of honey cake for dessert , that my extremely good cooking and good looking wife had baked , with a lovely cup of tea - what more could a Lambassador ask for?

The answer to that question and more in my next installment , where I will revisit a tidy little Lambfest that took place a few weeks back , instigated by my brother in law , Julio of Santa Cruz - who we can safely testify has no fear of racks , legs or chops of any kind , especially the lamby kind.
Until then

Good Chewin'

ALC
The Australian Lambassador to California