Product Description

First published in the United Kingdom, THE RIVER COTTAGE MEAT BOOK quickly became an underground hit among food cognoscenti around the world. Now tailored for American cooks, this loving, authoritative, and galvanizing ode to good meat is one part manifesto on high-quality, local, and sustainable meat production; two parts guide to choosing and storing meats and fowl; and three parts techniques and recipes for roasting, cooking, barbecuing, preserving, and processing meats and getting the most out of leftovers. With this thought-provoking and practical guide, meat eaters can knowledgeably buy and prepare meat for better health and better living, while supporting the environment, vibrant local economies, and respectful treatment of animals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5580 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 543 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Fearnley-Whittingstall (The River Cottage Cookbook) runs a farm, on 60 acres of land in Dorset, England. His is a voice full of expertise and respect for nature. If it has walked on four legs, chances are the author has raised, slaughtered and/or eaten it. Thus, this densely constructed tome, first published in the U.K. in 2004, and now in a revised American edition, is worth most to those who know a good butcher. The sentiments are earnest, the mood a bit rainy and the recipes rustic. The first third of the book is dedicated to "Understanding Meat" and explores the different cuts of beef, lamb, pig and poultry. While the author abhors processed meats, he has nothing against offal and provides a comprehensive dissection of brains, lungs and stomach linings. The remaining pages are dedicated to the various ways of cooking meat, the copious rules to follow and hearty (at times primal) recipes that exemplify each technique. The fine section on roasting features a Loin of Lamb Stuffed with Apricots and Pine Nuts. For the brave slow cookers, there is Jugged Hare served in a sauce that contains bitter chocolate and the rabbit's blood. And the chapter on preserving covers not only bacon, but also Pigeon Pate and Preserved Goose Legs. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Publisher
* Already a sensation in the United Kingdom, this groundbreaking treatise on choosing and preparing meat is now available in the United States for the first time.
* Includes more than 100 recipes and more than 200 full-color photographs.
* Thoughtfully Americanized, with complete information about assorted cuts (including illustrations), production standards, and sources for buying and learning about meats in the United States.

From the Back Cover
Praise for The River Cottage Meat Book:
"A brilliant and entertaining book that underscores the importance of knowing (and respecting) the source of one's food."
--Barbara Lynch, chef/owner of No. 9 Park and The Butcher Shop

"More than just a cookbook, this is a cookbook with a conscience. . . . [It] provides us with much-needed awareness of the realities and responsibilities we face as modern-day consumers."
--Thomas Keller, chef/owner of The French Laundry and Per Se and author of The French Laundry Cookbook and Bouchon

Customer Reviews

Learn WHY and how to prepare excellent meals with meat!
I love this book! The author delves into a subject with all the technical facts, then explains the why and how to cook an excellent meal using meat. I have made some delicious meals using the principles learned from this book. Get it! You won't be disappointed.

Mixed up pages - printing error?
I was very excited to receive this book but Chapter 14 has several repeats of pages and skips several pages. Is this a common problem? The publisher said this is the first they have heard about it. Check pages 417 through 440 to see if your book is flawed.

Authoritative Guide on Meat
This is probably one of the best books on meat available. Not only does it provide insight in to the selection and preparation of meat, it gives a lot of background in to meat production. At certain points in the beginning of the book, it's quite philosophical. There are sections divided in to numerous types of preparation (slow cooking, fast cooking, bbq) as well as offal.

I've cooked about 4-5 recipes so far (pork belly, lamb breast, headcheese, rolled stuffed lamb shoulder as well as a few veggie side dishes). All were excellent, although the head cheese (brawn for the Brits) was not my bag.

There are numerous recipes in the book similar to those I've prepared myself and they look quite good (osso buco, lamb shanks, different steak preparations). They have an Indian recipe that looks awesome--Butter Chicken or Murgh Mahkani.

My only complaint is that there is a certain vagueness in the book due to the book being translated from British English to American English. Things like English mustard vs. mustard (powder or prepared). I have both on hand, but I'm sometimes confused with what he means. Also, he uses the word casserole for what I think he means as a large saute pan or small dutch oven. Anyway, this is minor and since I cook quite a bit, I'm not really at a loss, but the beginner might be confused.