Unusual or Interesting Protein Options for Chefs

[Qwerty]

We are at a loss for protein options. We live on the East coast, so a lot of seafood options are limited (sad to say, but I think the Atlantic been completely decimated) and we keep rotating the same few proteins time and time again.

Here is a list of things we've done in the last several months:

Sweetbreads

Veal Chop

Beef Filet

Lamb Racks

Pork Belly

Duck Breast

Cod

Tuna

Lobster

Scallops

Monkfish

Salmon

Quail

Halibut

Oysters

Probably a couple I am fogetting.

The exec. has roundly rejected these items (though I have made my case)

Octopus

Squab

Bison

Foie Gras

Tongue

We plan on getting venison as soon as the farm starts butchering, so did I miss anything? I would love to do brains but I think those are illegal or at least not able to be purchased...what types of things are you guys doing protein wise?

I look at that list and think that it is a lot, but I can't help but think that there must be some interesting stuff we are forgetting.

Any ideas/thoughts? Please keep in mind that things like braises (short ribs, shanks) we will probably do as the weather turns cold.

[Peter the eater]

Atlantic shrimp, sea cucumber, urchin and hagfish are doing well.

[HYoungJoo]

Ostrich? There should be a couple of ostrich farms in the east coast.

[Shalmanese]

oxtail

beef shank

short ribs

flanken steak

flank steak

ox cheek

lamb shank

leg of lamb

lamb breast

chicken

cornish game hen

squid

mussels

clams

[Moopheus]

Tofu, seitan.

nuts.

cheese.

[baroness]

Crayfish

[pastrygirl]

rabbit

guinea fowl

yak. I know there are people farming yak in Colorado but don't know if the meat is available commercially. I guess if buffalo is a no-no yak would be too.

[Tim6]

Guinea fowl

Grouse

Pigs trotters

Bacon

Black pudding

Partridge

Chicken

Other lamb cuts

[rooftop1000]

Alligator

Wild Boar

[Doodad]

Texas is on the east coast?

Anyway, another vote for ostrich. Surprisingly good taste and texture.

Hanger Steak

Homemade venison sausage

Elk

snake

Eel

rabbit

Can't believe bison got turned down. That is one of our favorites.

[aidan]

Lots of bluefish on the east coast. At least in New England. Also, a lot of striped bass as well this year.

[brandonscott]

-razor clams

-fresh water prawns

-catfish....if you can make catfish taste really good, you are talented in my opinion!..and its always in season.

-iguana...from S. America, its cheap and has a unique texture

[Beebs]

Moose

Pork jowls

Pork neck

Tripe

Halibut cheeks

Goose

Another vote for rabbit and wild boar.

[Timh]

Rabbit is regular in new Orleans but unusual elswhere, also squirrel(I grew up on squirrel dumplings and gumbo), Catfish should be more mainstream too.

[DanM]

I have been cooking with lots of grains lately. It is a great alternative to animal sources of protein.

Per 100g serving:

Quinoa - 24g

Hulled Barley - 23g

Millet 22g

Spelt - 25g

Amaranth 26g

Buckwheat Groats (kasha) 19g

Kamut 27g

Wheat Berries 24g

[JamesLearie]

Cod tongues, cod cheeks

Mussels (as mentioned)

Shark

[DanM]

One more... Rocky Mountain Oysters

Thats if you have the balls to serve them.

[Peter the eater]

One more... Rocky Mountain Oysters

Thats if you have the balls to serve them.

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And wash them down with a prairie oyster cocktail -- bull nuts and bird eggs, plenty of protein.

[RAHiggins1]

You are in Texas and don't do any Brisket?

Edited September 2, 2009 by RAHiggins1 (log)

[wax311]

Why don't you just ask your purveyor reps what's available? Surely they can give you product/price lists, and recommend what is good, what is in season (and for how long), and what is reasonably priced.

[KennethT]

If you're from the East coast, you can get Bobo farms chicken - both silky (which has black skin and black meat) and black plume - similar to normal chicken but is leaner and a much more pronounced "chickeny" flavor...

[tim]

-iguana...from S. America, its cheap and has a unique texture

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Congratulations,

That is truly unusual and probably unwelcome. Tell us about the unusual flavor...or not!

Those other ideas are obvious, this is genius, demented genius.

Tim

[Chef Fowke]

Surprisingly, lamb cheeks are flooding the market in Vancouver this month - very sweet and easy to braise.