Have you ever missed a good nalli Nihari, or premium Beef Steak with extraordinary sides that are just yumm! || Is your mouth watering already?? ||
Well, living in the UK comes with its share of pros and cons, and one of the biggest cons for us, desis, is the lack of readily available halal meat in the UK. I am sure people living in London would be rolling their eyes, but ask someone living in a remote village how hard it is to get halal meat nearby.
And we don’t even need to go anywhere to ask anyone. I still remember the time I was living in Larne, Northern Ireland. I had to drive 25 miles to Belfast city centre to buy halal meat, and talk about the cost. Ooof! But now when I look back, I think finding such an option would have been my best bet. Which is why, I have put together this mini guide to help people like my past self get their halal meat delivery with ease.
What is Halal Meat?
Before we even set onto the quest, let us understand what is halal meat.
The Arabic word “halal” translates to “permissible,” which complies with the Islamic guidelines for raising, feeding, and slaughtering animals.
To classify as halal meat, it must fulfil certain conditions, such as:
- Doesn’t contain or consist of anything that is unlawful under islamic law.
- Isn’t processed or transported with any appliance / storage / food that is unlawful under islamic law.
- If any appliance / machine / storage or transport facility is used for Halal foods where it shares with non-halal foods, it is important to make sure that there is a reasonable distance maintained, and/or the space is cleaned before hand if a non-halal food was prepared/processed/transport before.
- There is a list of animals and plants species that are unlawful which can be found here.
- The process of slaughtering and the conditions set out here.
Why Halal Meat?
We have seen a recent rise in people wanting halal meat delivery, and for all the right reasons I’d agree. This includes its nutritional value and the humanitarian positives resulting from the animals' compassionate care both before and during slaughter.
However, let’s first establish the fact that you don’t necessarily have to be a Muslim to consume it. Halal meat itself has so many benefits to offer, such as:
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Low Contamination Risk
After being slaughtered, animals' blood must be completely drained to prevent blood-borne infections from contaminating the meat. Hygienic and clean environments lower the risk of disease.
For meat to be declared halal after processing, there needs to be a credible trace of the meat's origin. These elements make this kind of meat less prone to contamination and diseases.
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Premium Quality Meat
Meat quality could be impacted by stress hormones released by conventional slaughtering methods.
Because less adrenaline and other stress chemicals are released into the animal's system during the halal slaughtering method, the meat is more delicate and less rough.
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Better Taste
Halal meat tastes more delicious than regular meat. If the meat is not washed properly and retains blood, it’s likely to decompose faster and give rise to illnesses.
Additionally, halal animals are raised in a clean and comfortable environment to comply with halal food regulations, which means the meat is typically juicy, flavourful, and fresh!
Conversely, animals raised in stressful conditions have high muscle pH levels, resulting in stiffer meat.
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Ethical Considerations of Animals
The focus on quick and painless killing minimises suffering and preserves the animal's value. This approach not only meets religious demands but also caters to humanitarian and mindful customers who value food that is sourced ethically.
Halal Meat Delivery: The Right Meat, The Right Cuts
There are many different cuts available for purchase online when opting to buy Halal meat online. The following will help you choose the ideal cuts for your recipe requirements:
- Understanding Different Halal Meat Cuts: Learn about a variety of cuts, such as ribeye, T-bone, and brisket, focusing on their distinctive features and recommended cooking methods like barbecuing, roasting, broiling, grilling, or braising.
- Picking the Finest Cuts: When selecting cuts of Halal meat, consider your preferred method of cooking and the meals you plan to prepare.
You can select from a variety of different types of meats and cuts. Some of these include:
Chicken
- Whole Chicken
- Minced (Qeema)
- Karahi Cut
- Breast fillets
- Diced
- Drumsticks
- Tenders
Some recipes to create:
- Chicken Biryani
- Chicken Karahi
- Chicken Korma
- Chicken Curry
- Butter Chicken
- Fried Chicken
Beef
- Minced
- Steak: Strips, Sirloin, T-bone, Tomahawk, Ribeye
- Diced
Some recipes to create:
- Nihari
- Smoked Dum Qeema
- Beef Handi
- Beef Karahi
- Shami Kebab
Mutton
- Minced Mutton
- Mutton Shoulder diced
- Mutton Leg diced
- Mutton Back chops
- Mutton Front chops
- Mutton Neck chops
- Mutton Ribs
Some recipes to create:
- Peshawari Namkeen Gosht
- Mutton Karahi
- Mutton Masala Curry
- Mutton Chops
- Mutton Kofta (meatballs) with Mutton Pulao
- Mutton Tikka Masala Handi
Lamb
- Lamb Minced
- Lamb Chops
- Lamb Diced
- Lamb Ribs
- Lamb Shanks
Some recipes to create:
- Bhindi Gosht (Lamb and Okra curry)
- Dal Gosht (Meat and Lentils)
- Lamb Karahi
- Shaljam Gosht (Turnip and Lamb curry)
- Sindhi Lamb Biryani
How to Select a Reliable Halal Meat Delivery Service
Selecting a trustworthy seller is a must when choosing to buy halal meat online to guarantee that the halal meat you purchase is of premium quality.
- Investigating Several Suppliers: Invest some time in researching various Halal meat providers on the internet to identify one that fulfils your requirements. Seek suppliers with a good reputation and a large satisfied customer portfolio.
- Verifying Certifications and Accreditations: Search for Halal meat delivery options who are holders of certification from respectable Halal certification organisations.
- Look into Testimonials and Feedback: Reviewing feedback from clients can facilitate evaluating a supplier's standard. If you have any questions, you can also contact the supplier's customer support.
Parting Thoughts: Until We Meat…
Online grocery shopping has definitely brought convenience in our day to day lives. However, ordering halal meat online is something that we all tend to think twice about because of its perishable nature and conditions surrounding the authenticity and quality.
Following the tips above, rest assured that you’d find a halal meat delivery service near you or find services to order halal meat online unlike the “Past Me”, and cook all of the niharis and Biryanis that your heart desires.
Here’s to convenience, quality, and taste!
Happy Cooking Halal Meat!
