Leave the Lamb Alone

I wanted to surprise my husband with a special dinner and when I searched for the recipe I had in mind, I thought about all the cooking blogs I follow. Sure enough, I would find what I was looking for.

Without knowing a recipe, it’s smart to go by comments and likes, that’s at least what I thought. The higher-rated they are, the better my chance to create a decent meal must be.

I opened a few kitchen blogs, read the statements, and quickly got discouraged. So many LIKES for everything but the meal itself. Praised was the look of the dish, the ingredients, the photograph, some stated it sounded oh, so good. So many LIKES for the idea and creativity. People left comments they would try the meal -one day. But as we all know, that’s one day that doesn’t come by too often.

Frustrated and discouraged, I went to a cooking website we ALL know so well. Readers there at least try the recipe before they leave a comment. No doubt in my mind, there I would find what I was looking for.

I wanted to cook a delicious lamb stew, preferably not tomato-based. I don’t eat meat very often, so when I do, it better be good.

Quickly I found what I was looking for and luckily enough, I had most of the ingredients at home. I got a cup of tea and read the comment section. The highest rated first, the lowest would never see the daylight on my screen.

Holy Moly! Hold your horses!

One review stood out: 300+ People found the comment helpful:

This is a great recipe we will make it again. I didn't have lamb in the freezer, so I used chicken instead. We didn't have guinness at home either, so I used the rest of last night's red wine. My husband doesn't like peas, I used mushrooms instead. In the last five minutes I added some heavy cream to it, to thicken the gravy. It was delicious. We will definetly have it again, it's a keeper. I served it with potatoes.

What the heck happened to the lamb?

So you take a recipe, take the lamb out and you use chicken instead, you change all the ingredients, and Voila, you are the most helpful review! WTH?

Am I getting too old for this world? Do I expect too much?

Can I please get my lamb back?

I am not sure if I am more puzzled because a simple lamb stew recipe was altered into a chicken and dumpling recipe -without the dumplings of course- or am I more fascinated by the fact that 300+ people thought it was a helpful review.

Social media at its best -or worst?

I don’t even know if I am right or wrong anymore.