Commonality of Lamb in Dishes

My fiance and i watch a lot of cooking shows, and noticed recently that the British born chefs seem to use a lot of lamb in their recipes.

I was wondering if anyone that has made the move, has noticed a higher lamb consumption there as compared to the relatively low quantities in the US.  Or, my alternate theory, is that the chefs are just trying to be "fancy", and are giving a false impression of the cuisine.

Thoughts, observations?

LOL ... if you come to Wales you might see why so much lamb is eaten here! Every field is full of sheep!

Ummm, yeah, sheep do rather well over here! It's not just Wales, either, I've seen sheep in so many areas of England. Cumbria and the north in particular.

I was wondering if anyone that has made the move, has noticed a higher lamb consumption there as compared to the relatively low quantities in the US.  Or, my alternate theory, is that the chefs are just trying to be "fancy", and are giving a false impression of the cuisine.

Thoughts, observations?

Fancy?
There's nothing 'fancy' about lamb.    I eat it every week.

I think the Brits just eat more lamb -- it's not considered a "special" dish over here.  I suppose it has to do with availability -- there are a LOT of sheep over here!   

I don't see how anyone could eat it, though.     It smells absolutely horrid to me.

I think in the US there is a perception of lamb being "more fancy" than beef.  Lots of people only eat it at Easter time, for example.

I think because in the UK sheep is a bigger industry maybe than in the US it's more common.  Like the others have already said.  I've noticed more sheep in the north of England and up into Scotland and more cows from mid-England and south.  I think it has to do with the terrain?

Edited:  cross posted with Lola.

I don't see how anyone could eat it, though.     It smells absolutely horrid to me.

I'm a vegetarian so no meat smells particularly good to me now.  However, my grandfather was a butcher and our family ate *a lot* of meat while I was growing up.  I do remember liking lamb in particular at the time.

I think because in the UK sheep is a bigger industry maybe than in the US it's more common.  Like the others have already said.  I've noticed more sheep in the north of England and up into Scotland and more cows from mid-England and south.  I think it has to do with the terrain?

The US market is predominantly beef & pork, whereas the UK market seems to have a fair mix.  In the states grocery stores don't really have a massive lamb area in the meat sections.     Also, lamb has a stronger flavor to it - so it can only be cooked certain ways, whereas beef & pork you can do pretty much anything to 'em straight off.

Part of it is probably to do with terrain, as sheep can survive pretty much anywhere in the UK, plus they're smaller than cattle.  In the states cattle & pigs are probably a bit hardier and can probably withstand higher temperatures (because they don't need to be sheared).   

I think "commonality" means when two things have something in common, rather than how common something is.  But I may be wrong. 

Good point!
I just thought it was a bit of a 'fancy' word! 

I think "commonality" means when two things have something in common, rather than how common something is.  But I may be wrong. 

I just looked it up and it means "a sharing of features or characteristics in common".

I just looked it up and it means "a sharing of features or characteristics in common".

All sheep look alike to me! 

All sheep look alike to me! 

I think sheep are adorable! I'd love to have one in my back garden (if it was big enough!)

I think sheep are adorable! I'd love to have one in my back garden (if it was big enough!)

Me too. They're gorgeous.

I have a flock of them just over our fence.  They are too cute and provide tons of entertainment for my kids.

I love it when I'm sleeping with the windows open and can hear them first thing in the morning!

Here's a pic of one taken near here:


I see that and say, "Oooooh, I want to kiss its nose!" My bf sees it and says, "Mmmm... lamb chops!"