Buy the cheap vacuum packed whole rump or sirloin. Store in the fridge for a month unopened (the vacuum seal must not be broken). Open, wipe off the blood, trim and slice (across the grain) for immediate use and for packing in freezer proof bags for the deep freeze. As with all products, after defrosting do not re-freeze.

Refrigerator aged this way and the meat will be tender, but avoid the bulk packs with darker yellow fat because that comes from geriatric stock.

I would hazard a (good) guess that the cheaper rump and sirloin comes from grass fed 'free range' stock. So you will get your competitive price and organic by more reliable means than a promise.

For really lean meat, do what the old people used to do, slow casserole or stew and skim any fat before thickening.

Cornflower

That's very interesting about the vacuum packed meat, however, why do you think it is free range? I am always looking for ways to save money.

On cheaper cuts - my favourite kitchen utensil is my pressure cooker. Forget the slow cooker - I can come home and put together a tasty, nutritious casserole in an hour using the pressure-cooker. Once you learn to time the veggies (they take only seconds) and you can thicken the liquid using flour - the pressure cooker ensures that you don't get that raw floury taste. It is brilliant. I also cook up large quantities as a base or stock and divide up for freezing to which I can add further ingredients. Terrific for curries as well, because you can brown the onions, meat, saute the curry paste before sealing in.

There are a number of home delivered meat suppliers where I live - not all of them are certified organic but they do not use hormones and they do not gas their meat or add those chemical substances to make them look pink (not sure of what they are called).

There are also two organic/biodynamic suppliers and a few butchers who source a small organic supply.

Most of them cryovac their meat which gives a longer shelf life and of course you can freeze.

The irony is that overall they are not dearer than the supermarket on most products. There is no middleman.

One of them charges $12.50kg for lamb and I have paid much more than this in the supermarkets in overpriced Canberra. This is for all cuts. The only downside, if one was looking for one, would be you have to buy in bulk 1/4 or 1/2 a lamb.

Fractelle

If the cattle were specially conditioned the meat would be dearer. The cheap meat is grass fed, free range.

Pressure cookers can be useful but timing and adding as you go is critical if everything isn't to end up the same texture and same taste. Maybe you have mastered the art and maybe you have a few pressure cookers too.

For info, top restaurants age the meat as I have described. Of course they also buy grain fed, finished beef which is dearer.

Cornflower

I will investigate your claims about vacuum packed meat being grass fed - I can see the logic in meat being cheaper if not conditioned in feedlots.

Your point about pressure-cookers is taken; there is an art, timing is crucial and the results worth it.

PS

I only have the one pressure-cooker - I think cooking appeals to my inner chemist.

Dear FR
People are not as stupid as you seem to think

Am I missing something or are you the stupid one. Where have I claimed that all people are stupid.

Yabby
*I sell tasmanian beef and lamb as it is guaranteed 'steroid' and 'hormone ' free
Fair point on the lamb, however, gormones and steroids are banned in meat production in Tassie, that's what I mean.

I will investigate your claims about vacuum packed meat being grass fed - I can see the logic in meat being cheaper if not conditioned in feedlots.

For the record, feed loting is not always a dearer alternative, in fact, many producers now feed lot as it can be a cost effective method as you know you will turn your meat out in 55 to 100 day.

This is not always the case withe padock fed as it always depends on the condition of your padock.

Just for the record, I don't think there is anything wrong with cheaper meats, so long as the consumer is aware of what they are buying and they don't have unrealistic expectations.