Goat, It's What's For Dinner

Though goat is used extensively by most of the world for milk, meat, and mowing the grass, we have yet to embrace it in the United States.

While on a motor bike trip exploring the country side of Ninh Binh, I stopped at one of the many roadside restaurants that specialize in goat meat. I ordered the BBQ goat breast, and it was very tasty.  It came with a tangy peanut sauce, rice paper wrappers, banana pepper, and greens which by appearance came of a tree in the backyard.  Goat meat is tender much like pork, but a bit more gamey, which is why it pairs well with other strong flavors.  It can be prepared in any number of ways; stir fried, grilled, stewed, or even raw.  Every part of the goat is used, and some parts are soaked in wine or tea to make "medicinal" drinks.  They even make a drink with a goat fetus!

The goats used at this particular restaurant are not your typical barn yard variety.  They are mountain goats, and have a much leaner meat than a typical barn goat.

While I don't expect to see goat tenderloin next to the pork chops in your local grocer any time soon, I do hope you will give it a try!