For most of us, grocery shopping is a simple routine of making a list and purchasing everything we need to stock the pantry and refrigerator and make meals for the week. The task usually isn’t complete without a stop at the meat counter. Maybe you already know exactly what you want, or maybe you’re inspired to cook something out of the ordinary but you’re feeling a bit intimidated while browsing the options.
Butcher Boy frequently fields all kinds of questions from customers and we love sharing our expertise to help make selecting and preparing our favorite meats a hassle-free experience.
1. I’m trying to stick to my New Year’s resolution. Which protein is the leanest?
No matter the recipe, you don’t have to trade flavor for a healthy lifestyle choice. Replace ground chuck with ground sirloin or switch from Italian pork sausage to Italian chicken sausage. When you’re in the mood for a delicious cut of beef like prime rib, a short cut rump roast is a delicious leaner alternative.
2. I don’t see the cut of meat that my recipe calls for.
We understand how confusing it can be to wonder which meats are best for specific recipes. Sometimes the same cut of meat can be called by several names or the label at the store is different than what’s listed in the recipe. Let our butchers know what you’re preparing. It’s likely we have exactly what you’re looking for, but we can also help you select an acceptable substitute if necessary.
3. I generally stick to the basics like chicken, but I want to branch out and try something a bit different. What would you recommend?
We encourage ambition! Grilled or roasted chicken is delicious. But when it becomes a standard menu item, let us broaden your culinary horizons. How about lamb? This herb -crusted rack of lamb is fairly easy. Impress your family and friends with beef Bourguignon. We have just the right chuck roast for that. If you’re looking for a new way to prepare your favorite sirloin steaks, try steak Diane.
4. My entire family is under the weather, and I’m looking to make a homemade bone broth. Where do I start?
Bone broth can be made with beef bones, pork bones, chicken bones, or a mix of all kinds. You can save them from any bone-in meats you cook – rinse them and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to make the broth – or you can buy the bones directly from us. The best bones for bone broth are those that are high in collagen from cartilage, such as oxtail, short ribs, and marrow bones. Meaty bones, from short ribs, oxtails, or a shin bone with meat provide a lot of flavor. You could also purchase a whole chicken and save the carcass for a delicious broth. The key to the best balance of rich taste and nutrition of bone broth is the slow simmer. Check out this recipe suggestion.
5. I’m having some friends over for dinner. What’s the best choice to feed a crowd?
Hosting a party that involves preparing a full dinner for your guests can be stressful. You want to make sure there’s enough food to satisfy everyone’s appetites and you also want to enjoy yourself without spending too much time in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up. Pulled pork is a great option for feeding a group. We also like beef options such as short ribs or roast tenderloin. Those dishes do not require a lot of attention or time and they’re easy to serve buffet-style. Clean-up is a snap too.
6. I got an instant pot for Christmas. What meat should I use?
The instant pots have grown in popularity. They are a combination of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and steamer and the recipes for using them seem to be endless. Pot roast is a fairly easy and fast dinner option with lots of flavor and honey teriyaki chicken could become a family time-saving favorite. Be sure to stop by Butcher Boy for all the herbs, spices, marinades and other ingredients your recipes call for.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for in our butcher case or among the pre-packaged meats, just ask one of our butchers! We have a large variety of specialty items and can customize almost any order to make sure you go home with the perfect cuts for your homemade meals.
So much about celebrating the holiday season centers on food. Many of our cherished memories evoke images of enjoying favorite meals and desserts with loved ones. While Thanksgiving dinner revolves around the turkey and all the trimmings most of us are familiar with, Christmas has more of a diverse menu customized by family traditions, which may include a Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch, and Christmas Day dinner. Leading up to Christmas, of course, are all of the work events, potlucks, social gatherings, cocktail parties, and school activities that involve food.
Whether you are hosting a big crowd for your Thanksgiving meal or the holiday will be a more intimate dinner with a small group of family and friends, planning can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be! Stick to our Thanksgiving checklist that will help you organize the shopping, prepping and cooking so that you’re not rushed or stuck in the kitchen.
