To think £25 is too much for casserole

[justonemorethen]

Possibly it's just new year tightness but have just got Nigella's Kitchen for Christmas and went to make the beer braised casserole because I thought casserole used cheap cuts.
Recommended beer is dark Belgian which is £5 a pop in supermarket. I decided to cut the amount to thirds so asked butcher for 1/2 kilo of shin - £5.88! That would be £18 for the amount she suggests. Together with the beer and odd herb she requires it's £25. Granted she says it feeds 8 but that doesn't include any veg or stuff to go with it. I'm pretty sure I could get a couple of free range chickens or side of beef, veg and potatoes for the price of her casserole.
Perhaps I'm just being cross because her cheesecake to use up leftover bananas just cost £6 (bloody bananas only cost 69p in the first place).
So is it worth it? Anyone had ago?

Theakstons Old Pecullier is a good substitute for the dark beer. Around £2 a bottle. Then why not use a more 'fatty' And cheaper cut of meat - you can remove the large pieces of fat, and the meat will taste beautifully tender and flavoursome, especially if you slow-cook it. I don't really eat beef, but in lamb the neck/ shoulder are cheaper and fatty, so perhaps the same in cows?