Bite-sized China Update: The right way to lamb.

Before you either:
a) Roll your eyes wondering why I'd be posting about mediocre looking food from China again (I thought we had stopped with this nonsense, you)
b) Run away screaming at the sight of the horrific photo
Let me explain.

I was originally done with posting about China. I had a few more places that I had taken photos of, but they were not very appetizing, poorly shot, and rather repetitive. However, then I remembered this particular dinner, which I swear was both the most amazing lamb I had ever tasted, and the most memorable dinner of the trip. Must be posted. Work with me here.

We were spending a weekend at a on the borders of Beijing rural village. The most advanced piece of technology we had available was a karaoke machine (apparently, no matter how rural, Chinese people require a karaoke machine. You could hear [poor] singing all throughout the night. joyful;;). But despite this, this was one of my favourite parts of the trip. You see, despite the fact that we were sharing housing with creatures such as these:

Running around the village and experiencing the lifestyle was amazing. And on top of that, the people who ran the rooms that we were staying in served us the most amazing dinner. They had spent the day roasted a whole lamb on a BBQ and spit, and the results were this:

A whole lamb, and many side dishes including:
-tomatoes with sugar
- spinach
- winter melon soup
- salad
- potatoes and beans
- leeks and cucumbers
- sweet potato.
- eggs and chives
- a bread-like wrap (at least I think so.. I was too busy eating. Didn't get a chance to take a picture. You'll understand why in a second).

This was more than enough to serve the 14 of us eating there that night. In fact, I believe you would need double the amount of people to finish all that was on the table that night.

The lamb was moist, yet had an amazingly seasoned and smokey outer crust. Medium rare, flavourful, tender, I could go on and on and on. BUT. The most enjoyable aspect of this meal was how we were to go at this whole lamb. You see, for utensils, we were given but one thing:

Plastic gloves. Plastic gloves, and one knife. Yes, we were told to just grab at this whole BBQ'd lamb, and yes, we enjoyed it with vigour. After this point, there was no way I was going to spend my time taking any more pictures. The lamb was waiting.

This was an amazing meal, and I urge you to try this at some point. This wasn't a 'true' rural village per se, but apparently a "tourist" rural village. If you are ever to take a trip to China (or Asia in general, I'm sure it's not only China that does this sort of trip), try heading off to a village and getting a meal like this. You will not regret it. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. And a little unsanitary. But more practice for your immune system doesn't hurt, yea?