So it’s time for the Big Game. Although we kind of feel as if it is more about propaganda than it is about football anymore I guess we’ll still watch it. Probably not the halftime show though…ok, definitely NOT watching the halftime show.
Although “sportsball” isn’t as fun as it used to be, being part Basque and part Italian means that we use any opportunity to gather with friends and eat! The Superbowl will be no exception. Although the menu will be expansive, spanning from finger foods to entrees, there will be one staple and that is American lamb meat.
Most people hosting a viewing party will likely not have a lamb dish. Why is that? We wrote before about never seeing this staple at tailgates. Here we are writing about it again. One longstanding tradition with football and viewing parties are chicken wings. I guess we like chicken wings. They sure are a lot of work to eat though with not much reward. I feel like I need to eat an entire bag just to feel fulfilled and that probably isn’t too good for my cholesterol levels. I suppose the sauces make chicken wings more appealing.
To stick with the theme of the Superbowl, we thought me might do a head to head challenge between chicken wings and American lamb chops.
WHAT IS BETTER, AMERICAN LAMB MEAT OR CHICKEN WINGS
HEALTHY OPTION
LAMB – 1
CHICKEN WINGS – 0
We’ve discussed the health benefits of American lamb meat in a separate post so we’ll just discuss chicken wings here. Eating fried chicken wings can be considered unhealthy due to several factors. The primary concerns are related to the frying process and the potential impact on your health. Chicken wings are:
High in Calories: Fried chicken wings are often high in calories, mainly due to the added fats from frying.
Trans Fats: Frying can introduce trans fats into the chicken wings if the oil used is not suitable or if the oil is reused multiple times. Trans fats are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Saturated Fats: Even without trans fats, fried chicken wings are still likely to be high in saturated fats, which can also contribute to heart health issues when consumed in excess.
Reduced Nutrient Content: The frying process can lead to a loss of some nutrients in the chicken wings, making them less nutritionally valuable compared to other sources of protein.
Sodium Content: Commercially prepared fried chicken wings, especially those from fast-food establishments, can be high in sodium. Excessive sodium intake is linked to hypertension and other health issues.
EASE OF COOKING
LAMB – 1
CHICKEN WINGS – 0
Again, we previously wrote about how easy it is to grill lamb chops. All one needs is some fire and fresh chops (and some garlic). It’s simple, throw them on the grill and then eat them. You don’t even need utensils. The same can be said about chicken wings as no knife and fork are required. However, frying chicken wings and prepping the sauce certainly takes more work than getting a fire going. We like to cook so adding more steps or taking on a complicated dish is not avoided by us and is even appreciated. With that said, frying things is not our favorite method for cooking. We like to use more healthier alternatives but dealing with the oil is also a bit of a pain. There is more cleanup involved with frying chicken wings than grilling some lamb chops. Another great choice is to simply throw a couple of racks of lamb in the oven. Rub them with salt, pepper and garlic powder. We even like to through some whole garlic cloves around them too.
FOOD QUALITY
LAMB – 1
CHICKEN WINGS – 0
Is there anything of higher quality than fresh American lamb meat? Lamb meat where you shook the rancher’s hand and knew exactly how the animal was raised, treated and what it ate. The comparison cannot be more extreme when analyzing locally sourced lamb meat in America vs. chicken wings. I suppose that chicken wings could be fresh but is that really happening? I think most who are cooking large batches of chicken wings are buying big bags of frozen wings from their local grocery warehouse. Of course, the quality of frozen chicken wings can vary depending on factors such as how they were processed, stored, and whether any preservatives or additives were used. I believe though that the high volume chicken wing market is filled with the latter (preservatives and additives).
ENVIRONMENT
LAMB – 1
CHICKEN WINGS – 0
Nothing might be prettier than seeing a flock of white sheep on a rolling green pasture. Knowing that the animal was raised properly, eating lots of grass and enjoying its life prior to serving its purpose on Earth is well received by most. On the flip side we have the large scale chicken production farms which can be referred to as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Although standard operating procedures and practices can differ on these industrial farms, most have a negative reputation and have faced criticism. Concerns have varied from environmental concerns to animal welfare as well as public health issues. In the end, these animals were put on Earth to feed us.
With that said, we should all appreciate our local sheep rancher. These men and women have a deep connection with their animals even though they know they will eventually end up on the dinner table.
Here are some common concerns associated with large chicken production farms:
- Environmental Impact: CAFOs can contribute to environmental pollution through the release of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, into waterways. This runoff can lead to water pollution, negatively affecting aquatic ecosystems and posing risks to human health.
- Waste Management: The large volume of waste produced by chickens in confined spaces can lead to challenges in waste management. If not properly handled, it can result in issues such as air and water pollution.
- Antibiotic Use: The routine use of antibiotics in some industrial farms to promote growth or prevent disease has raised concerns about the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This is a significant public health concern, as antibiotic resistance can make infections more difficult to treat.
- Animal Welfare: CAFOs are often criticized for their intensive confinement systems, which may limit the natural behaviors of chickens. The crowded conditions can lead to stress, injury, and poor overall welfare for the animals.
- Growth Hormones and Additives: While the use of growth hormones is not allowed in poultry production in the United States, some chickens may be given additives or other substances to promote growth.
TASTE
LAMB – 1
CHICKEN WINGS – 0
When comparing the taste of American lamb meat vs. a plain old chicken wing there is no comparison who wins. If that chicken wing is slathered in buffalo sauce or some other seed oil concoction then I suppose that could narrow the gap. The lamb meat still prevails though. And we’ll always take a natural flavor over the artificial ones that the sauces provide. Once again, lamb meat with some garlic, a little salt & pepper and a hint of olive oil is all that is needed. It doesn’t get much more natural than that.
Well we are a bit biased but it appears that American lamb meat has won the Superbowl of best dishes to serve during a big game or party. It’s a shutout of 5 to nothing! Are you really surprised??