Mmm. Meat.

Mmm. Meat.

We were lucky enough to be the recipients of several large roasts that came from a tiny herd of cattle that one of Chuck’s friends raises. Last year, we had a roast beef from one of their steers, and it was the best piece of meat I think I’ve ever eaten. There really is something about meat that hasn’t seen the inside of a feedlot.

So, yesterday, being grey and rainy and full of football and all, I cooked a five pound chuck roast. While it was searing the house filled up with this amazing beefy smell. I don’t think I’m just projecting here, but I could be I suppose. Anyhow, it was marvelous.

I seared it on all sides with salt, pepper and a generous sprinkling of aleppo pepper. Then I took it out, and added three onions, sliced, and sauteed those until they were all soft and turning golden. Back in with the meat, and two half-bottles of good beer that had been languishing in the back of the fridge. I put it in a 250 oven all day, basically. A couple of hours before serving, I added a can of Herdez Ranchera sauce — my favorite dark red salsa for a little depth of flavor. Served with mashed potatoes and some sauteed spinach for me, well, it was lovely.

Although now I have about 3 pounds of leftover pot roast. I think there’s a pot roast lasagne in our future. Then maybe soup.

We eat meat nearly every night around here, but I have to say, we don’t eat huge portions, and the vast majority of the meat we eat is sourced from local ranchers. I’m less concerned about whether it’s “organic” than whether it came out of a small operation, especially since the organic regulations are such a pain a lot of organic farmers I know stopped getting certified. But it’s really worth it to find a place to buy meat by the share if you can. It’s an adventure all around — you’ll learn to cook cuts you didn’t think you liked, you’ll eat better quality meat, and you’ll make a stand against a big agriculture industry that really doesn’t care about poisoning us all with bacteria and antibiotics and other scary things.

4 thoughts on “Mmm. Meat.

  1. I’ve long argued that the problem is not eating meat, per se, but that the problem is applying industrial methods to meat production. And while I suppose the horrifying videos like the one’s Peter pointed to are a wake up for many, I think the situation is complicated. We’re at an advantage up here in ranching country because it’s relatively easy to get humanely-raised meat, and humanely hunted wild game. We’re also one of the only states left where there are good small slaughterhouses, which are a great resource when you’re trying to find locally-raised animals. So, we eat meat, but I try my best to make sure very little of it every saw the inside of a CAFO.

  2. I think if you wanted to help end the abuses in slaughterhouses the best way would be to go vegan even if you had access to what you consider humane slaughter houses. There is absolutely no reason why an animal needs to suffer or die for us. Vegan diets are easy, by far healthier than animal centred ones and are better for the environment. Becoming a vegan sends a powerful message to you friends, family and corporations that you do not support animal cruelty.

    1. Peter, you seem to be new to LivingSmall. If you read back through the history of the site you will find many posts about why I eat meat, and what kinds of meat I eat. Personally, I find that most arguments for veganism are based on a sentimental view of animals, and a sort of wishful idea that by not eating meat animals one can avoid death itself(Wendell Berry was particularly good on this idea in a recent NPR interview. While I will continue to write about the abuses of industrial agriculture, I will also continue to support my friends and neighbors who engage in responsible animal husbandry. As someone lucky enough to live in a part of the country where it is easy to buy meat from small ranchers that can be humanely slaughtered in small, locally-owned slaughterhouses and who has access to game hunted by responsible hunters, I eat what’s local. For us, that includes a fair amount of meat. Ted Kerasote also has a good essay in Bloodties, Nature, Culture and the Hunt about the carbon impact of eating vegetarian in this ecosystem.

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