Shopping Day Finds

I have seen small packages of cut up beef (and pork and veal and lamb) neck semi-regularly at our local stores, but this weekend's pass through Hannaford was the first time I have seen packages of whole beef neck:

This is marvelous meat for stock, and can also be used for fantastic soups. Given the weather we've been having lately, I might be tempted to smoke a whole one.

Now, this post is tardy (as are a number of others I've been meaning to write up) so that lovely pile of meat may be all gone by now. The nice thing is, if a supermarket can get this once, they can get it again, and they will if enough of us ask.

Mint Tea Muffin Bread

I already posted the recipe (more or less) during last summer's Battle with the Mint, but what I didn't have then were photos:

To make a loaf instead of muffins, make the batter the same way, but pour it into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes instead of 30.

Yes, this is what I'm passing off as today's post.

Shopping Day Finds

It was a good weekend at our local supermarkets.

First, I was delighted to find Hannaford had chicken feet again.

I missed out the last time -- I'd been ordered not to bring home any large packages of odd ingredients for a while -- so the fact that I have now seen them there a second time means if we keep asking for them, Hannaford will keep getting them.

So, what, you ask, do you do with chicken feet? Well, you can deep fry them and pop them into your mouth, bones and all. The Chinese love that, apparently, but after trying it at a dim sum place in Boston, I can't recommend it.

No, if you're like me, you want to use them to make stock. Much of what I keep saying about pig's feet applies just as well to chicken feet -- tons of connective tissue that melts when simmered -- so they will make some of the best chicken stock you've ever had. You can use them on their own or with whatever gnawed-on chicken bones you have accumulated.

The second find of the day was in the deli counter at Price Chopper. I have been mourning the fact that they do not carry mortadella anymore, but my grief was lessened when I saw this:

Head cheese is various cuts of meat, mostly from the head, boiled until tender and then jammed together into a form that can be sliced into lunchmeat.

It is sooooooo good! For those of you reflexively going "ew," know this: My four-year-old wolfed down a slice and promptly demanded more. If that finnicky little beast likes it, so will you.