Christmas Dinner

lynchy6789 · 12 Dec 2011 at 11:44

We are doing a Christmas dinner with some of my flat mates (uni students) I was wondering if anyone could offer me some good advice on a good preferably cheap choice of meet to use and a recipe? Don't mind having to cook it for like 6 hours either.

The favored option of meat was pork. So if anyone knows any good pork joint recipes that give you good crackling that would be great! Still up for other meat suggestions though

Thanks

Ahleckz · 12 Dec 2011 at 11:46

We're discussing this exact thing in here - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18351252

That's geared towards beef though.

Glaucus · 12 Dec 2011 at 11:46

Pork belly, thread just below entitled "my first cooking thread" or Jamie Oliver's pork belly roast.

randomshenans · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:29

Although belly has increased in cost (even since the start of that linked belly thread to now) due to it's popularity and "trend" it still has to be the cheapest cut for the amount you get and it's a massively flavoursome cut.

Glaucus · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:37

QuickLink said:
Although belly has increased in cost (even since the start of that linked belly thread to now) due to it's popularity and "trend" it still has to be the cheapest cut for the amount you get and it's a massively flavoursome cut.

Just searched for Gloucester old spot and even that's only £8 a kilo. It certainly is a bargain.

rotters · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:39

definitely pork belly, lovely crackling!

randomshenans · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:46

No one used to eat it. Which is weird, but we've come back to the way of eating a lot more of the animal now. Which I think is so much better.

Glaucus · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:48

QuickLink said:
No one used to eat it. Which is weird, but we've come back to the way of eating a lot more of the animal now. Which I think is so much better.

Totally agree, still not enough though. It's still hard finding cheek and tail, which I consider proper meat. Let alone offal and the even more bizarre cuts. However it does mean costs rise with popularity.

randomshenans · 12 Dec 2011 at 12:53

Always. People buy it, they charge more.

I'm looking at buying some half pigs and whole lambs. Then I can do what I please

a1ex2001 · 12 Dec 2011 at 13:42

Consider pork shoulder, very good price for what you get and not as fatty as the belly. Jamie did a slow roast that just fell off the bone and tastes amazing.

Freefaller · 12 Dec 2011 at 13:45

We were going to have beef wellington or roast lamb... however my father stated that lamb is for easter, and that owing to the pudding beef wellington will be "too much"! lol!

So we setted for roast pork with lots of crackling!