Prime Cuts

We are SOOOOOO cutting edge! Recent New York Times article confirmed the trend to feed dogs "people food," especially of the high end variety. Seems that the choicest butchers in Manhattan are discovering and tapping into the market for premium dog food with their leftover cuts.

"Our mission here is to get as much our of the animal as possible," said Jake Dickson, the owner of Dickson's Farmstand in the uber-chic Chelsea Market. "Both in terms of profitability, but also philosophically--doing honor and justice to that animal."

Dickson is speaking of the butchered animal but he might well be speaking of the ones who are lapping up those parts of the animal that humans don't want. Dickson used to throw them away. Now he grinds them up and roasts them with seasonal produce and sells them for $10/pound and a half. Pricey but premium dog food that seems to be a hit with New Yorkers.

Even Fleishers, the butcher to the stars based in Kingston, NY (and made famous in the book Cleaving by Julie and Julia author, Julie Powell) sells $4 packages of four ready to eat two ounce patties made of organic chicken and beef parts.

Chez Feldman, I will even admit that Amos, who recently turned up his nose at the chicken that the golden retrievers gobble up, has been chowing down on various cuts of beef (whatever is on sale, sorry my pocketbook can't afford strictly organic for the pups!) and feeling pretty good about himself these days! I just grill up a bunch of stuff once a week, cut it into small pieces, store in a plastic container in the fridge and add to their food (prescription diets). All seems to be well for the moment, at least until he turns up his nose at the beef.

Of course, you could just buy our book and try a few recipes yourself!