Meat

Always be extra nice and good-tempered in the butcher’s shop; it really is worth being good friends with the man who sells you your meat. He is the person to steer you clear of bargain cuts that are a maze of bones and gristle, he will show’ you both sides of a piece of stewing steak before wrapping it up. He will advise you which piece of the animal would be most suitable, if you tell him what you want the meat for. He is also more likely to be prepared to do tedious work in the way of boning, mincing and cutting a joint just so, if he is your friend and sees that you care, and if you make a point of going into the shop when it is not particularly busy.