I love meat but
Discussion
For bacon you can try oyster mushroom bacon.
https://www.seriouseats.com/crispy-smoked-mushroom...
I used to make this stuff when I lived out in Australia and sometimes the quality of bacon is not same as UK, so switched.
https://www.seriouseats.com/crispy-smoked-mushroom...
I used to make this stuff when I lived out in Australia and sometimes the quality of bacon is not same as UK, so switched.
I don't have an issue with eating meat per se and very much enjoy it and have no plans to give it up. I do have a problem with how it is produced though, e.g. living conditions for the animals, their diet, the rush to kill them as quickly as possible, being pumped with crap, the sheer scale of it, but what is the alternative, unless you own your own animals and can vouch for the animals welfare.
I do try and limit my red meat though during the week and stick to fish and lentils. I've got to admit I'm not a fan of meat substitutes. One they are often full of crap and two, vegetables can be interesting enough on their own, without the need to make it pretend to be something else.
I do try and limit my red meat though during the week and stick to fish and lentils. I've got to admit I'm not a fan of meat substitutes. One they are often full of crap and two, vegetables can be interesting enough on their own, without the need to make it pretend to be something else.
Edited by NSNO on Tuesday 6th May 13:45
NSNO said:
I don't have an issue with eating meat per se and very much enjoy it and have no plans to give it up. I do have a problem with how it is produced though, e.g. living conditions for the animals, their diet, the rush to kill them as quickly as possible, being pumped with crap, the sheer scale of it, but what is the alternative, unless you own your own animals and can vouch for the animals welfare.
I suppose there is the ability to discuss with a farmer the buying of a lamb/pig/etc and have them rear it and sort it out for you, but as you are not selling it on, how much cheaper is it than going to your local independent butchers?I dont think it would be much at all.
The Richmond's 'bacon' is fairly close in taste if you don't overcook it, but a bit soft in texture. Their veg sausages are very good. As for chicken, you may want to try some of the 'Quorn' (mfr) products in the orange packaging. Vegetarian substitute meatlike products can be a bit variable so it's a question of trying them and seeing what you like.
NSNO said:
what is the alternative, unless you own your own animals and can vouch for the animals welfare.
My son is a butcher at a local farm shop. They have their own herds that live within ten miles of the shop. Also, thanks to a recent promotion, he now gets to visit the farms and see the process from start to finish as well as discuss products direct with the farmer. Of course I'd never let him know I'm slightly envious of his position.Du1point8 said:
NSNO said:
I don't have an issue with eating meat per se and very much enjoy it and have no plans to give it up. I do have a problem with how it is produced though, e.g. living conditions for the animals, their diet, the rush to kill them as quickly as possible, being pumped with crap, the sheer scale of it, but what is the alternative, unless you own your own animals and can vouch for the animals welfare.
I suppose there is the ability to discuss with a farmer the buying of a lamb/pig/etc and have them rear it and sort it out for you, but as you are not selling it on, how much cheaper is it than going to your local independent butchers?I dont think it would be much at all.
Avoid vegetarian alternatives to meat and dairy. Many end up being ultra processed.
In the summer I live off chickpeas salad. Cucumber, radish, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spring onion, can of drained chickpeas, feta cheese and a squirt of lemon juice and Caesar dressing. Add oregano, dill and parsley.
Substitute orzo pasta if you are not keen on chickpeas.
ETA we now get our meat from the local farm shop. The farmer delivers as well. I expect he could tell me the name of the cow/sheep/pig if I asked..
In the summer I live off chickpeas salad. Cucumber, radish, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spring onion, can of drained chickpeas, feta cheese and a squirt of lemon juice and Caesar dressing. Add oregano, dill and parsley.
Substitute orzo pasta if you are not keen on chickpeas.
ETA we now get our meat from the local farm shop. The farmer delivers as well. I expect he could tell me the name of the cow/sheep/pig if I asked..
Edited by Slow.Patrol on Wednesday 7th May 15:18
In my view
There’s a huge difference in welfare & taste/quality buying free range chicken meat, that’s an easy change.
Vastly improved Pig welfare is not so easy to find but does exist.
Game meat is a potential suggestion (out of season for partridge & pheasant just now)
Rabbits & Deer are pests & the latter are being shot to protect woodlands as their populations are high so your doing the planet a favour eating something that’s lived wild & free all its days.
There’s a huge difference in welfare & taste/quality buying free range chicken meat, that’s an easy change.
Vastly improved Pig welfare is not so easy to find but does exist.
Game meat is a potential suggestion (out of season for partridge & pheasant just now)
Rabbits & Deer are pests & the latter are being shot to protect woodlands as their populations are high so your doing the planet a favour eating something that’s lived wild & free all its days.
Slow.Patrol said:
Avoid vegetarian alternatives to meat and dairy. Many end up being ultra processed.
In the summer I live off chickpeas salad. Cucumber, radish, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spring onion, can of drained chickpeas, feta cheese and a squirt of lemon juice and Caesar dressing. Add oregano, dill and parsley.
Substitute orzo pasta if you are not keen on chickpeas.
ETA we now get our meat from the local farm shop. The farmer delivers as well. I expect he could tell me the name of the cow/sheep/pig if I asked..
"Ultra processed" isn't a particularly helpful idea. Something can be heavily processed and still perfectly good food, and many vegetarian meat substitutes are exactly that. Saying "avoid" to all of them isn't very sensible.In the summer I live off chickpeas salad. Cucumber, radish, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spring onion, can of drained chickpeas, feta cheese and a squirt of lemon juice and Caesar dressing. Add oregano, dill and parsley.
Substitute orzo pasta if you are not keen on chickpeas.
ETA we now get our meat from the local farm shop. The farmer delivers as well. I expect he could tell me the name of the cow/sheep/pig if I asked..
Edited by Slow.Patrol on Wednesday 7th May 15:18
You can easily get decent meat
Anything organic is raised better than anything non organic
M&S chicken is all slow grown so better welfare
Farm shops usually have single suppliers and they’re usually local farmers with smaller animals
I find meat substitutes are pretty crap, just stick with actual vegetables,
Glamorgan sausages are good, pretty much just mash potato and cheese, mushrooms and beans and pulses cover other stuff, potato in curries etc
Pannier and halloumi are good cheese too.
Anything organic is raised better than anything non organic
M&S chicken is all slow grown so better welfare
Farm shops usually have single suppliers and they’re usually local farmers with smaller animals
I find meat substitutes are pretty crap, just stick with actual vegetables,
Glamorgan sausages are good, pretty much just mash potato and cheese, mushrooms and beans and pulses cover other stuff, potato in curries etc
Pannier and halloumi are good cheese too.
We're certainly eating more veg and including more pulses. Mushrooms is a problem as there is only me in the family who will eat them.
Certainly as far as meat goes venison is definitely more common on our menu. Free range, true free range chicken and eggs goes without saying.
Pork is a bit of an issue even though our UK higher welfare rearing methods. Piglets sent for slaughter a few months old, and farrowing sows at maybe 3 years max doesn't sit well with me. Unfortunately sausages and bacon are soooo tasty!
Lamb, I like lamb, only one in the house eats it, so again a pleasure denied to me. Guess I'd have similar mixed feelings about lamb otherwise.
What annoys me truly though, and it's something for the annoys you beyond reason thread, is when someone wants avocado or something with lots of coriander I get accused of being the picky eater.
Certainly as far as meat goes venison is definitely more common on our menu. Free range, true free range chicken and eggs goes without saying.
Pork is a bit of an issue even though our UK higher welfare rearing methods. Piglets sent for slaughter a few months old, and farrowing sows at maybe 3 years max doesn't sit well with me. Unfortunately sausages and bacon are soooo tasty!
Lamb, I like lamb, only one in the house eats it, so again a pleasure denied to me. Guess I'd have similar mixed feelings about lamb otherwise.
What annoys me truly though, and it's something for the annoys you beyond reason thread, is when someone wants avocado or something with lots of coriander I get accused of being the picky eater.
Mobile Chicane said:
Mushrooms are a useful meat substitute.
Huge Portabellas make great burgers baked slowly in garlic butter, topped with some blue cheese, and a red onion chutney.
They provide great texture and flavour, but they're pretty empty nutritionally. While it's fine for something that's enjoyable to eat, I don't think the routine practice of replacing the protein part of the meal with mushrooms is sustainable as a dietary choice. Huge Portabellas make great burgers baked slowly in garlic butter, topped with some blue cheese, and a red onion chutney.
Most of the non-ultra-processed plant based protein choices come with a large side order of carbohydrate, which may not be desirable, but of course if one isn't vegan there's always dairy and eggs.
Eat wild venison.
Deer numbers are out of control in this country so it's extremely sustainable, very friendly on the animal in terms of slaughter (yes, it dies, but numbers have to be controlled for conservation. It's shot in the wild, is dead before it even knows what's happened, isn't queuing up with its mates on a production line to be stunned etc).
Nutritionally excellent and delicious too.
Deer numbers are out of control in this country so it's extremely sustainable, very friendly on the animal in terms of slaughter (yes, it dies, but numbers have to be controlled for conservation. It's shot in the wild, is dead before it even knows what's happened, isn't queuing up with its mates on a production line to be stunned etc).
Nutritionally excellent and delicious too.
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