Topic: Do you buy Halal chicken etc?

[leodis1970]

Don't want this to morph into an ethical, welfare or religious debate, but given that most BIR serve up halal produce, if not choosing for faith reasons, do you have any problem doing the same and regularly use halal butchers or buy halal meat from supermarkets?

Possible reasons for doing so may be cost, availability of more suitable cuts or meats, freshness etc

I know my view on this and not going to try influence anyone either way, but would be interested to hear what others do/don't buy.

I know feelings can run high within the general public, so please lets just look at this from a home chef's point of view and not start a war of words! lol

[haldi]

I used to buy chicken regularly
and most times I got it from the Asian supermarkets, which obviously was Halal

I could tell no difference between Halal, and English prepared chicken

[Onions]

I used to buy chicken regularly
and most times I got it from the Asian supermarkets, which obviously was Halal

I could tell no difference between Halal, and English prepared chicken

Of course not

[loveitspicy]

WE buy chicken here and it is mainly all Halal - not by choice its the availability from the suppliers - I WOULD BOYCOTT ALL HALAL if we could - but there would be no chicken to buy - not starting a war on words thats my believe as a whole hearted western born guy -

Anyhow we buy approximately 950 kilos or breast a week sometimes more - there is no discernible difference in the product - its a chicken or chicken breasts in our case...

So to answer the OP its availability in our case

best, Rich

[leodis1970]

Thanks guys, just wondered. No real thoughts on the halal side or not halal side of things and view it as simply the ingredients I want at the right price.

Although I do use chicken breast, my cut of choice is the thigh for curries ... feel it has better flavour and texture. Supermarkets do sell thighs, but normally on the bone (I know some do fillets) which is a hassle.

My reasons for going to the Asian butcher are:

1) Cost .... ridiculously cheap at about ?2.50/kg for filleted thighs.
2) Better choice of meats - mutton, goat, oxtail etc readily available again at great prices.
3) Seem to last longer freshness wise.
4) The chicken seems a lot more tender ... probably age of the birds as the whole chickens are small.
5) Great, friendly service with a good choice of spices, herbs and advice.

It's not something I normally mention to people as it's a subject some people get really upset about, but looking at it objectively, it's a piece of meat that will be enjoyed. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Invisible Mike]

You find oxtail in an halal butchers? I didn't think cuts like that were permitted as they were deemed "unclean".

[leodis1970]

Don't know to be honest, but I do know that the one near me does sell it. It may that we're not far from a big Afro Carribean population, who love their oxtail. It is the only type of beef that they sell though oddly, so a bit of a mystery!

[Invisible Mike]

Ah that probably explains it. 

[Onions]

Halal is not a marinade- we are all clear about that?

[chewytikka]

Must be a very odd Halal Butchers that doesn