Of late my partner keeps
picking out different frozen dinners to try. In theory I welcome these meat and
potato combinations even though trying to limit my intake of starchy
vegetables. But the protein is inevitably some 'mechanically separated' (look it up if you dare) chicken/pork/beef by-product/soy
amalgamated patty of mush, though I ate every bite out of deference to the animals' sacrifice. And I didn’t even know anyone could give mashed
potatoes the consistency of Silly Putty.
So on the way home from
swimming at the YMCA Saturday I stopped by a meat market. My initial craving
was for a seldom available deli item called souse. Unlike the pre-digested
looking lumps from our latest frozen dinners, these less cherished meats don’t pretend to be anything other than
what they are.
Souse is essentially head cheese with the bite of vinegar. The cold
cut’s unique flavor and texture take me back to childhood, when Mom and I had
the souse all to ourselves. ~grin~ We didn’t complain.
Waiting for my savory treat
to be packaged, I looked toward the butchery case. There I saw the most
beautiful cuts of porterhouse steak. Yes, they were expensive. But now that we
know the proper technique for home cooking (as long as you don’t mind your home smelling of smoke for a few days), I could justify the expenditure.
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| Photo Courtesy of MyRecipes.com |
Have you ever tasted head cheese or souse?
No...I have never had either one of those. I have lived a sheltered life where food is concerned. I think you would call it PICKY! haha....yep, if I did not like the way something looked, smelled or had what it had in it....I did not try it. I have gotten a tad better these days! Porthouse looks great in that pic.
ReplyDeleteMost of the people I know are picky, so don't feel bad. My sisters-in-law won't eat mushrooms! That steak dinner was fabulous, I ate more than my half share.
DeleteNo, I haven't, but we made it up in Alaska from pigs heads, even once a bear head a neighbor shot. The bear had gone after the pig and both were shot. I came home that night, I lived in their quonset hut out back and Mike was all mysterious and told me to check the pot in the kitchen. The light was always low there, but I went in, lifted the lid and jumped back a mile, not knowing what had transpired during the day with bear going after a pig at the neighbors. A pig's head stared up at me from the pot.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I didn't know you once lived in Alaska. What a prank! I hope he didn't make a habit of being a bit mean.
DeleteWell, that was good. *wink* Love you, my friend.
ReplyDelete~huge hugs~
DeleteI have not tasted either and I don't want to :) The steak looks good though.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone. ~grin~ Be well!
DeleteSorry, but that sounds gross. And I'm a picky eater, so I doubt I'd even try it if offered.
ReplyDeleteYou're in the majority. ~grin~ Meanwhile, my father still buys head cheese (he's not a fan of vinegar) and says it grosses out the lady who works at the local deli to even slice the stuff.
DeleteNever even heard of it :)
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable, considering the German origins. My hometown was initially settled by German immigrants. ~grin~ I bet I'd love traveling with you and trying new foods.
DeleteNever had souse or head cheese and don't think I want to. A steak sounds great though :-)
ReplyDeleteSeems like I'm in the minority once again. ~grin~ It's no wonder so few delis offer it.
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