Rip Van Winkle Moment

[gerisullivan]

When did hamburger get to be $4/pound? Yes, it's been awhile since I bought any, but I last remember it costing half that, and my brain keeps thinking that's an exaggeration, for surely it was 89 or 92 cents/pound on sale, and $1.09 or $1.19 otherwise. Right?

The oddest part of tonight's research into current-day ground meat prices is that all of the other ground meats, which used to be priced somewhere between a little and a lot more than hamburger are now a little to a lot less. And there's more variety -- ground chicken, turkey, buffalo, pork, and a couple different kinds of flavored, ground sausage in pre-formed patties. Only the ground buffalo was more than $3/pound.

For those wondering, I went for the "buy one, get one free" packages of ground turkey. Froze one; here's hoping I cook and eat the other in a timely fashion. That's going to be something of a challenge this coming week, but more options for quick'n'easy protein are definitely in order. Picked up a couple of Rock Cornish game hens, too. Now I'm tempted to go buy a smoker. Don't think I've ever had them smoked; if they worked, I bet they'd be great.

Joe Siclari taught me a good way to roast summer squash on the grill last week; now I'm longing for a grill of my own in addition to a smoker. Driving 120 miles to grill more squash seems a tad...well, Geri-like, but beyond what I can squeeze into my schedule right now.

Many thanks to all who sent birthday greetings -- they added much cheer to the day!

Comments

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

Yeah I've just about quit eating beef because I've been sort of priced out of the market. $4 a pound sounds high to me even now, but then I only notice when it is on sale. I don't even like ground beef that much, I'd much rather buy beef on sale and grind my own. But then I'm crazy.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I think the prices for beef went up following on the mad cow disease concerns.

We had some lovely smoked and grilled beef ribs on Friday. I think Tammy and Eric somehow used their grill for the smoking too, but I forgot to ask. Do you favor a gas or charcoal grill?

grilled asparagus is also really tasty, something I only learned in the last couple years.

Beef prices

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

I think the Atkins/South Beach diet craze, low carb and high protein, has pushed the price of beef way up. Mad cow disease fears would push it *down* - no one would want to eat meat that might kill them later.

Because Minnesota is a turkey producing state, frozen ground turkey is relatively cheap, and it works well in most recipes that call for ground beef: meat loaf, chili, etc. It runs $1.19 lb at Cub.

Perhaps some of the difference is the general cost of living between the Midwest and the East Coast? If you are really curious, I could check prices when I get groceries.