Topic: Cost of chicken for your curries

[Invisible Mike]

Natterjak. For the record no I don't eat in BIR establishments but not just because of the provinance of their meat...

I think regarding the free range issue it's just a case of ethics and taste. I personally do try to avoid all establishments that don't actively source free range produce. Eggs, chicken, pork or whatever. What they serve says a lot about how they think. Are they concerned about giving their customers the best or maximising profits? So no KFC, Subway, and god forbid Nando's! but it is hard. It's in the public's power and interests to reduce intensive farming. Just vote with your wallets. Of course some people just don't give a toss either way..

[martinvic]

Sadly not everyone can afford to buy free range, organic or in bulk.

[gazman1976]

With the price of food increasing yr on yr it's always good to shop around.

I done a bit of research and found the below link, looks like good value
http://www.musclefood.com/chicken-breast-fillets-bulk.html

[Invisible Mike]

Sadly not everyone can afford to buy free range, organic or in bulk.

This is also true but IMO meat should be a luxury. People expect to have meat on their plate every day when in truth too much of it in our diets is detrimental to health and the public's demand for cheap meat sadly means more pressure on the farmers to deliver, welfare and quality standards drop and scandals such as BSE and the horse meat ones occur. The message is simple eat better quality meat but less of it. I couldn't afford to have it all the time myself either. I might have it once, maybe twice a week and even then it will most likely be the least favoured cuts. 

I came on this forum to learn about making curries, not to get into politics but this is a subject I feel strongly enough about to air my views. I have always been one to think of the bigger picture before I buy, not just meat but veg, fish, everything.

For an enlightening read on the subject the River Cottage Meat book takes some beating.

[Peripatetic Phil]

I agree with you in part, Mike.  The only place where I would respectfully disagree is w.r.t. eating meat on a daily basis.  For me, a dinner without meat (or without fish) is not a dinner, with perhaps the sole exception of masala dosa which are (IMHO) in a vegetarian league all of their own.  I think I could, if forced, live as a vegetarian in India, but not here in the west where vegetable dishes, quorn and tofu  leave me completely cold.  Yesterday's /Telegraph/ has a very interesting article on the first-ever stem-cell burger, which may well represent the future for everyday meat ...

** Phil.

[Invisible Mike]

Each to their own Phil. I love my veggies and could (and do 90% of the time) live happily on them alone. Ratatoille, vegetable soups, tomato and garlic based pasta dishes... A madras without chicken would be painful though...  And yes Quorn and Tofu are both vile lol... Stem cell burgers....whatever next?..

[chewytikka]

Sign of the times really. Supermarkets killed the high street etc

[tempest63]

Local Family Butchers are very thin on the ground in my town, have virtually disappeared over the years.

Likewise the demise of the Wet fishmonger,

cheers Chewy

Our family butcher/fishmonger charged me forty quid for a shoulder of British lamb a few years ago, then I found I could get it for about half that price direct from the slaughterhouse that he uses, they have a retail shop on site.
After that I bought an organic chicken on a Saturday which was putrid by Sunday, and now he portions up his fish and sells it from a deep freeze. So much for the family friendly efficient grocers!

It's Tescos, Sainsburys or Waitrose now as I have too far to drive to get to Chelmsford market each weekend.

[tempest63]

I very rarely cook with Chicken breast now, preferring thighs which are a little more forgiving when storing overnight and then reheating.

I do like duck breast though and they can make a fabulous Ruby!

[Invisible Mike]

Keep your eyes open for farmers markets and food festivals in your area and get to know your local smallholders selling at them. You can get very good quality meats often for less than you would pay at the butchers or supermarket. They tend to specialise in proper breeds aswell. Even my local prison rears/grows top notch produce that it sells through its farm shop. Food for thought maybe...