Something big arrived on my doorstep this Friday. The boys were very excited. "What is it?" they demanded. Dinner in a box, of course. Courtesy of Alice and Laverstoke Park Farm.
Although, that was an understatement, because there was enough for a week of dinners and beyond - a chicken, sausages, mince, lamb steaks, pork loin - I was drooling as I unpacked it from it's insulated nest. Sorry vegetarians, we are an unashamedly carnivorous lot. In fact, I have a fascination with meat - there's nothing I like better than to watch a butcher plying his trade. Perhaps it's the stripy twine they use? But real butchers are becoming a little thin on the ground - three in our area have closed down since we have lived here. Which means I have to keep auditioning new ones further afield.
And to me, one of the best ways to check on the quality of a butcher is to eat his sausages. So that's what we sampled first.
They looked good - and as a bonus, they came wrapped up in Butchers' paper, which for some reason made me extraordinarily happy. Sausages in clingfilm just always seem a little bit sad and sweaty.
Everyone approved - including the cat, who usually declines human food but appeared looking very interested and licking his chops once he'd smelled them grilling.
We've also roasted an extremely athletic chicken. Seriously, the bone density of this beast would have an orthopedic specialist jumping for joy. That bird led a healthy life, for sure. And was yummy.
So, if you are short of a good local butcher, or the time to visit yours, perhaps the thought of a box of organic meat delivered to your door appeals. The kind folks at Laverstoke Park have given me an offer to pass on to you. Now comes the technical bit...
If you order a family feast box before May 31st and enter the discount code LPFFB2 in the Discount Code box on the shopping cart page, you can get one for £39.99 (excluding delivery) rather than the usual price of £48.59. You can use this code as many times as you like, and feel free to pass it on to friends and family too.
And now I am hitting the cookbooks to decide what to do with the pork and lamb. The minced beef is destined for some puff pastry parcels. Possibly to be eaten in samosa style with this.
Yup, guess who's home - hooray!
A traditional butchers has just re opened at the end of my road which is such a treat. We have been making a real effort to support him by buying all out meat there and hope that he stays open. Hes not even particuarally pricey which is great as his sausages and marinated ribs are to die for!
I think the trend might be swinging back to buying from the butchers as people are thinking more about where their food comes from so hopfully they wont keep closing down!
Posted by: Make, Do & Send | 26 April 2010 at 12:01
Incredible idea, and I agree with the earlier comment, the trend seems to be (finally!) buying local!
Posted by: Tiffany | 26 April 2010 at 12:47
Glad your husband is back safely - definitely a cause for celebration! Your meaty pictures are delicious - funny that we both went for the sausages first!
Posted by: Julie | 26 April 2010 at 13:18
Food looks yummy. You can always tell a good chicken by its bones, they dont fall apart when making stock!
Posted by: TheMadHouse | 26 April 2010 at 13:26
so glad the wanderer returned bearing gifts! enjoy all those dinners x
Posted by: driftwood | 26 April 2010 at 13:56
mmmm... you've made raw meat look good in a photo. You know this is near impossible?!
A x
Posted by: Fancy Elastic | 26 April 2010 at 14:39
Glad your hubby is back safely again! We're eating less and less meat these days, thought that box does look yummy!
Posted by: dottycookie | 26 April 2010 at 16:15
That looks fantastic. We don't have a single butcher around here, or a farm that delivers either, so I am very jealous. Those sausages look great.
Posted by: Jennifer | 26 April 2010 at 16:30
I do love a butcher. Slightly less than I love a fishmonger, but it's love, all the same.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 26 April 2010 at 16:33
Oh you lucky duck! That looks like many many lovely dinners. And I'm so glad he's made it home! K x
Posted by: kristina | 26 April 2010 at 17:30
Our local butcher makes the best sausages. Apparently he originally made up the recipe for his grandson who has numerous food allergies, so they're made of only the good cuts of lean meat.
That chicken sure looks tasty!
Glad to hear the Mr is back safe and sound. Hope you're keeping up the sock service!
xx
Posted by: Lesley | 26 April 2010 at 18:16
our local butcher grows his own beef and lamb and has a slaughter house too, so it is truly local (though not organic)
Enjoy yourselves !
Posted by: Claire | 26 April 2010 at 19:46
oh wow...
that looks good.
My dog is drooling just looking at the screen!!
Posted by: Monica | 26 April 2010 at 20:22
You certainly can taste the difference when you buy good meat. I was amazed by the difference in taste and even the smell when cooking the meat when we found our local (literally a min down the road) farm and starting buying from them.
Posted by: Scented Sweetpeas | 26 April 2010 at 21:39
Can't agree more that a sausage is the best litmus test for a butcher. I'm drooling and it's 2 hours till lunch. yikes.
Posted by: sooz | 27 April 2010 at 01:42
I had an email yesterday:
"The budgie has landed"
So glad that your own swallow is back in the nest safely. My guess is that curry might be off the menu for a while.
Posted by: Alice | 27 April 2010 at 07:21
Yum, yum. Unashamedly carnivorous here too - despite an entire decade earlier in my life as a vegetarian! Gorgeous photos....
Posted by: Jo | 27 April 2010 at 11:03
Oh yum!
Posted by: Rhu | 27 April 2010 at 11:28
Thanks for the recommendation. With two of us vegetarians I don't buy that much meat but when I do I like it to be good quality. So I've just ordered a box to give it a try!
Posted by: Gina | 27 April 2010 at 12:54
Hmm that chicken does look tasty! Very pleased for you that your husband's finally back! Sodding volcano hey?!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | 27 April 2010 at 13:07
Oh I'm so glad I have access to a top quality butcher who stocks only local meat and whose chicken and pork is all free-range. He has game in season too and fab sausages although yours look superb. Enjoy the rest of your meatbox.
Sue x
Posted by: Sue | 27 April 2010 at 19:03
Those sausages do look good...no wonder the cat was liking his lips.
What a great way to buy meat...it is something I should look into.
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | 29 April 2010 at 12:51
I am tempted to order some - the sausages alone look delicious! I was lucky enough to win a parcel from them so I can recommend the steak and ice cream!
Posted by: lazylol | 03 May 2010 at 10:31
I love what you said about watching a butcher do his magic...I almost picked a culinary school to attend based on the fact they had a butchering class (and I was going to go for pastry!). I think it's a fascinating trade and we really don't have it here in the states anymore in any small shop way. Sad.
Posted by: Jen | 05 May 2010 at 13:28
Mmmmmmmmm! My heart melts for that sandwich...it is so appetising! And I love that you are using real Dijon, it definitely has that kick to it, doesn't it?
Posted by: Yummy Lavender | 06 May 2010 at 19:55