How to tenderize beef for maximum flavor - Butcher Magazine
Think expensive cuts are the only way to get tender beef? Think again. Learn the surprising factors that affect meat tenderness and how to make any cut delicious.| Butcher Magazine
Corned beef, with its hearty flavor and rich cultural roots, is often synonymous with Irish cuisine—especially around St. Patrick’s Day. But the story of Irish corned beef is more complex and fascinating than the holiday associations suggest. Let’s explore its history, the differences between brisket and round cuts (bone-in and…| Butcher Magazine
Ham Hock Terrine: A Rustic Delight Worth Making If you love rich, savory charcuterie, a Ham Hock Terrine is a perfect project to try at home. This traditional French-inspired dish transforms humble ham hocks into a flavorful, sliceable terrine that’s perfect for picnics, appetizers, or a centerpiece on your charcuterie board. What is a Ham […]| Butcher Magazine
If ever you’ve struggled with steak cooking — maybe it’s too dry, too rare, or somehow both at once — sous vide will become your new best friend. Sous vide cooking isn’t just a trend in the culinary world; it’s a game-changer that will guarantee a steak cooked exactly the way you want, every single […]| Butcher Magazine
There’s nothing quite like the deep, smoky aroma of home-cured, cold-smoked bacon. While commercial smokers can be pricey and take up loads of space, you can achieve that same mouthwatering flavor using something as simple as a cardboard box. Yes—really! Here’s how to turn a humble cardboard box into your…| Butcher Magazine
Where to buy meat If you are a meat lover, where would you prefer to buy meat? From an skilled artisan with generations of meat knowledge behind them, or from a supermarket pre-pack shelf , where it is just another commodity? As a customer, you have choices, and the choices you make today affect where […]| Butcher Magazine
Kitchen Hygiene Rules OK? If I asked you what was the dirtiest place in your home, what would you say? The toilet seat, probably. Well, you’d be wrong. There are fewer germs on a toilet seat than on a poorly cleaned chopping board. And your kitchen sponge and dishcloth are probably the worst culprits of […]| Butcher Magazine
Think expensive cuts are the only way to get tender beef? Think again. Learn the surprising factors that affect meat tenderness and how to make any cut delicious.| Butcher Magazine
How to create a stunning Italian Chicken dish with simple ingredients.| Butcher Magazine
The history of Chicken Cordon Bleu is a fascinating blend of culinary evolution and cultural exchange, reflecting the ingenuity of chefs across Europe. Here’s a look into how this beloved dish came to be: Origins in Switzerland The term “cordon bleu” translates from French to “blue ribbon,” which historically was a symbol of excellence. The […]| Butcher Magazine
The Ultimate Guide to Making Pea and Ham Soup with Ham Hocks and Yellow Split Peas Pea and ham soup is a classic comfort food that warms both the body and soul. With its rich, hearty flavors, it has been a favorite across cultures and generations. In this blog post,…| Butcher Magazine
Is Corned Beef Irish? A lot of people, including me, consider corned beef to be an Irish dish, but there are other claims to this culinary heritage. Corned beef got its name from the salt grains it was packed with in barrels. The grains of salt were the size of salt kernels and that’s when […]| Butcher Magazine
Dry curing pork and beef Dry curing pork and beef is a traditional method of preserving these meats using a combination of salt, seasonings, and time. Here’s how it’s typically done: Dry curing pork and beef requires patience and attention to detail, but the result is flavorful, shelf-stable meats that can be enjoyed for months. […]| Butcher Magazine
The Wonderful Tale of the Humble Tail Oxtail—a humble yet flavorful piece of meat—has made its impact on culinary traditions around the world. From hearty stews to gourmet delicacies, this underrated ingredient has a rich history and a diverse range of preparations that have delighted palates for centuries. In this…| Butcher Magazine
What is a Shepherd’s Pie? Shepherd's Pie is a comforting and flavorful dish that has been enjoyed by generations around the world. This blog post will explore the history of Shepherd's Pie, its variations across different cultures, and provide some mouthwatering recipes for you to try at home. It is…| Butcher Magazine
History, nutritional benefits and recipes for this wonder food. Sliced Lamb's Liver The Offal Truth Offal, usually the inner organs of meat animals, is a rich source of nutrition, but, alas, puts some people off because it is a bit too gory for them. But if you eat meat, eating…| Butcher Magazine
What is Dublin Coddle? If you are not Irish or are not from Dublin, chances are that you have never heard of Coddle. Coddle, or Dublin Coddle, is a dish made with bacon, pork sausage, potatoes and onions. You can get into so many different arguments in Dublin about Coddle:…| Butcher Magazine
Maximise the value of your chicken. Make your own healthy stock.| Butcher Magazine
And if they are what was the greatest thing before sliced bread? Bread itself? Let's get practical There has been a lot of buzz online about air fryers lately, so I looked a little deeper to see if it was hype or maybe it was something I should have. There…| Butcher Magazine
You have heard of a Beef Rump and you have heard of a Top Sirloin. What is the difference? There is no difference, they are the same cut of beef. It depends on where in the world you are and the names given to cuts of meat in your area.…| Butcher Magazine
It's been over 4 years, due to Covid, since the last WBC in March 2018, held in Belfast. I had the honour and privilege of training the winning Irish Team and they have honoured me again for the 2022 competition. This year's competition will be held in the Golden 1…| Butcher Magazine
All there is to know about chicken| Butcher Magazine
A guide to the best equipment for butchering at home. Here is the basic butcher kit you need to get started.| Butcher Magazine
Stir-frying is a quick and relatively cheap way of cooking meat and vegetables. There are many cuts of meat you can use. Here we look at some options and how to get the best out of them. There are many less expensive and more affordable cuts of meat that you…| Butcher Magazine
Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own sausages and use quality ingredients you know and trust, then you also know exactly what has gone into them| Butcher Magazine
You’re standing in front of the meat counter and hold a package of beef against your nose. The scent of the meat is overwhelming. Does this mean it’s gone bad?| Butcher Magazine
When many of us commuted to work daily, we'd arrive home from work and look for quick and simple food to prepare. But now that we have more time at home, many people are learning about cheaper cuts of meat and how to get the best from them with "slow…| Butcher Magazine
The carnivore diet is not the most widely represented in the media. So, you might be curious about its health benefits and how to try it. But without an expert's help, it can be overwhelming to research it yourself. These podcasts are great for making informed decisions on a carnivore…| Butcher Magazine
Beef stock is an important ingredient in the kitchen of cooks, butchers, and foodies. It's perfect for making great-tasting stews and it's nutritious. It's a simple way to use up beef bones and any meat trimmings leftover from a roast. Beef stock freezes really well, so you can keep it…| Butcher Magazine
Let’s talk about Dexter & Sandy. No, not the sequel to Grease, or another American sitcom, but two free-range breeds that have piqued my interest. I recently visited two free-range farms to get an insight into non-industrial meat sources and learn about high-quality meat. I was not disappointed. Dermot Allen…| Butcher Magazine
All over the world, there are burger brands and varieties, local and national, all claiming to be the best. There are chains worldwide who have distinctive combinations, all claiming to be the best. That’s great, more choices for everyone. I once queued for 40 minutes at Fergburger in Queenstown, New…| Butcher Magazine
Beef dripping, the guilty pleasure that’s actually good for you. Whatever name it goes by (Tallow, dripping) in your neck of the woods, it is an amazing product. Great for fries (chips in the UK & Ireland), roast potatoes, or Yorkshire puddings. Even for bread making, Christmas puddings, and other…| Butcher Magazine
The beef knuckle is a sub-primal from the beef round. It weighs from between 4 kg to 6.5 kg, depending on the carcase weight. The knuckle goes by many names: The ball of the round, sirloin tip, round tip, tip center (centre in UK and Ireland) and sometimes thick flank,…| Butcher Magazine
The Picanha is a bit of a secret cut, known to aficionados and surprisingly, unknown to many butchers. You may know it by its other names such as culotte, rump cap, rump cover, sirloin cap. Whatever you call it, it is delicious. What is the Picanha cut? It is a…| Butcher Magazine
THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER? If knives are the tools of your trade, it makes sense to keep them well maintained and in good condition. Right? You service your car and you keep your heating equipment serviced, don’t you? You should also take care of your knives. Even for…| Butcher Magazine
The Christmas Turkey is probably the most expensive meat purchase of the year. So you want it to be perfect. The best place to buy a turkey at Christmas is your local butcher. They are the meat experts and will have a buying relationship with the turkey farmer going back…| Butcher Magazine
I have been asked many times over the years, by customers, chefs and farmers, why is meat so expensive? Well, how expensive is the meat on your plate? Let’s take a look at what is involved, but first, let me ask a question: If I buy 10 live cattle from…| Butcher Magazine
Female butchers are an uncommon sight in butcheries anywhere in the world. Meat cutting has always been seen as a man’s trade. But physical strength aside, how do women butchers compare in this male-dominated industry? Could they, in fact, be better than men in many ways? These days there…| Butcher Magazine
Wood or Plastic? The cutting board debate has been going on a long time now. There are equally determined proponents on both sides. But what is the best cutting board or chopping board material? Why choose one over the other? In this article, I'll explain why making the right choice…| Butcher Magazine
This is a delicious and easy to prepare recipe that won’t cost a fortune. Short ribs are cheap. But that doesn’t mean they’re low quality. We think short ribs offer some of the most flavourful cuts. The secret is to braise and slow cook them to make them tender and…| Butcher Magazine
People regularly tell me they don’t know where to buy good meat. I suggest they start by finding a good butcher, and this raises another question: What to look for in a good butcher? The answer is trust. Find a butcher you can trust and you’ll always get the best quality…| Butcher Magazine
You will probably never read a “Sunday Times Best Books About Meat” article so we decided to do our own. Yes, we know it is a niche subject, but if you eat meat regularly or work with meat, you would want to know more about it, right? The authors of…| Butcher Magazine
A philosophical, balanced debate about Meat diets & Vegetarian diets is something you don’t see much of. The debate on carnivore vs vegetarianism is often skewed by industry interests, animal rights activists, and fringe lunatics. "Vegetarianism is right because eating meat is cruel". Let’s look at that statement. How is…| Butcher Magazine
As Christmas approaches, we think of turkey and ham as the centrepiece of the Christmas feast, but there are a growing number of people who are happy to try something different. Some of the alternatives are Goose, Duck, Chicken Pork, Spiced Beef, Rib Roast on the bone, and to be really…| Butcher Magazine
Recently we had the honour and privilege of interviewing Dario Cecchini, regularly referred to as the greatest butcher in the world. Dario has no such notions about himself but he believes fervently in the artisan aspect of butchering. The important thing is guaranteeing the animals have a good life and…| Butcher Magazine
Flank is a lesser-known cut you should know about. The cut is great for fajitas, steak sandwiches, and beef olives (stuffed steak). It's a cheaper cut but has a fabulous beef flavour and is great for feeding the entire family. What is Flank Steak? Flank steak is a thin, lean…| Butcher Magazine
In mid-winter, when the cold chill is upon us, heart-warming casseroles, stews and braises are the order of the day. Your butcher can offer great value on cuts that are perfect for slow cooking. Shin, neck, brisket and chuck are ideal cuts of meat for slow food dishes. A little…| Butcher Magazine
Some call it tallow, some call it dripping, and people-in-the-know call it the secret ingredient. With the rise of foodie diets, paleo eating, the keto diet, and the (recent) realization that saturated fats aren’t bad for us after all, beef tallow is making a comeback. This is a Rocky-style comeback…| Butcher Magazine
Ask the butcher is a question and answer blog post that poses common questions from the public about topics such as how to choose meat for BBQs, how to prepare steak, and how to serve meat products. Answers are by a butcher with over 40 years experience in the trenches.…| Butcher Magazine
Do you know the difference between a fillet knife and a steak knife? In this article, I will discuss butcher knives and how they differ from kitchen knives. A Butchers steak knife is not the same as a restaurant's steak knife or a chef's knife. There are fundamental differences between…| Butcher Magazine
Once relegated to stews and burgers, shoulder cuts have experienced a resurgence in popularity lately. It's a well-deserved revival - roasts, steaks and chops from the shoulder are still some of the most affordable cuts in the butcher’s shop, and they offer rich flavour and melt-in-the-mouth tenderness that few other…| Butcher Magazine
The term offal refers to the organ meats of animals: Heart, liver, tongue, kidney, sweetbreads etc. These organs are nutritious, inexpensive and most of all delicious. Here's an overview explaining what is offal and I've added some offal recipes to help you get the best from offal meats and how to…| Butcher Magazine
What is the perfect steak? There is no such thing as the perfect steak. Your perfect steak won’t be the same as ours, so we need to establish what you are looking for in a steak. If money is not an issue, there are many expensive steaks available, depending on…| Butcher Magazine
Frequently Asked Questions guide for people who buy meat. Everything you ever wanted to know about Butchering, cuts of beef, meat preparation, and more. This is part one of the Butcher and Meat FAQ. If you have any questions you'd like answered for part two use the contact page to…| Butcher Magazine
I am constantly amazed at the way roasting pork has almost been forgotten. It was a major part of the business years ago, but seems to have fallen out of favour. A good butcher who used full pigs would make sausages, puddings, hazlet, brawn, pork pies, and a host of…| Butcher Magazine
It's unfortunate that the names used for cuts of beef can be confusing for customers. The terminology can differ from county to county, from store to store, from butcher to butcher. And that's without looking at the terms they use in North America. This is a butcher's guide to help…| Butcher Magazine
Gourmet and Organic meat delivery - ordering meat online Online meat ordering and delivery is an increasingly popular option for people looking to get their protein, without spending too much time or effort. Having fresh meat delivered at the click of a button seems futuristic and cold. But the truth…| Butcher Magazine
If you run a food business you might be wondering what are the best ways to choose quality meats, educate your employees, and help your customers at the same time. Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting to ensure that you provide only quality meat and why you should strive to…| Butcher Magazine
