ASDA -fresh meat no longer as good

Curry_Queen

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

We no longer know about food like our grandmothers did and just pick up whatever is in the supermarket without understanding what we're buying and with no idea of it's value.

I agree with this, and having come from a large family where money was tight, I know all about the cheaper cuts of meat. Cold-pressed brisket was often served for Sunday lunch and belly pork and breast of lamb were other regular dishes served up, but it's not often you see these available in the supermarket these days. My mum could even make a pound of mince stretch to feed six! But we never went hungry and there was always a hot meal on the table every day

If meat is an important part of your diet, I recommend you get the River Cottage Meat Book - down from £25 to £15 at Amazon. It covers everything from breeds of animal, how they're raised, why hanging is important etc. He also explains which cuts of meat for what job and has a hold chapter on "Thrifty Meat" - getting excellent food from the less popular cuts of meat.

I'll second that! I managed to get mine when they were selling it for £10 in January and it's one of the best cookery books I've ever bought ... over 500 pages in a large hardback book, packed with everything you ever need to know about meat, including wild caught game. I've also got his other book, the River Cottage Cookbook, which is an excellent resource for those who like to obtain their food from "free" sources ... rivers, woodlands, hedgerows etc

The Good Life anyone?

Debt_Free_Chick

needmoney wrote:

No No DFCchick you stay on your soapbox it's always interesting to hear other's point of view and from Xbigman and anyone else who works on the 'inside' tell us all the scams so we can at least be aware.

Apart from the sheer unadulterated flattery - for which I thank you - you raise a very good point.

Yes ... we should be aware that there are bad butchers, as well as good. And if we learn how to spot the bad, then we stand a better chance of finding the good.

The first step is learn all you want about what you eat. Then go and ask questions of the suppliers. This can be a very amusing, though alarming, exercise when you try to ask questions about food of a spotty yoof in a supermarket!

tryin2bms

in response to the threads i must say that i wasn't saying that all butchers are bad just in my own opinion i don't buy the scotish meat or the organics as i was trying to say unless you are there with the animal from start to finish you can never say what or were and the point i was also trying to say was same as the person talking about organic pigs a butcher can show you the tag as he will have purchased some of this meat but will have also puchased british meat and if was to hold the 2 pieces infront of you could you honestly say that you know the difference.i am just tring to say don't always be fooled buy products that are supposed to be better as not alsways the case

Xbigman

I must admit I've only worked in the bum end of the business IE supermarkets and mass produced bakery goods.
There was a good butcher near me in the local small shopping centre (about 12 shops) but they gave up. I think those shops now count a burger bar, a chip shop, two pizza parlours and two indian restaurants amongst the 12. The one in Yate main shopping centre was OK but also gave up and is now a computer games shop. (don't get me started on the expansion of Yates main shopping centre, please).
Local farm that did good lamb got stopped by health and safety. They did half a lamb for £20, all split up into the relative joints. But every one wanted smaller cuts, which meant weighing and packaging, which means all stainless steel tables and cold storage, which means paperwork, which means higher prices. They gave up too.
Even I'm getting depressed now
Regards



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