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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to confront the butcher?

133 replies

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 14:05

I'm aware this is a bit of a strange question, but I wanted to get outside opinions before i jump in with two feet on this issue

Over the last couple of weeks myself and DH have had my in-laws round for sunday lunch. Both times i cooked a beef and onion pie for the main course. I thought it would be a showstopper but for some reason both pies have smelled like wee and i was really confused as to why?

The first time it happened i presumed DH has bought a dodgy onion from the supermarket but when it happened the second time i knew that couldnt be the case as we had shopped for ingredients at a completely different, more upmarket, supermarket (under the impression that the onions were causing the wee smell). However, both times i used beef i had got from the same butcher. I can't help but think that, if it isnt the onions which are causing my pies to smell like wee, it must be the beef.

So basically, i was wondering should i confront the butcher? I dont want to upset or offend him, i just need him to know that the beef he sold me was unsavoury. What if myself, DH or even my in-laws had become ill after eating it? What if someone else has become ill from eating it?

i'm not sure if i should go back to his shop and tell him that the beef he sold me smells like wee when cooked or if i should leave a review on facebook so that others are aware of his dodgy meat and avoid the shop so they dont get ill, as the wee smell might be cause by bacteria?

i would really appreciate any advice you lovely people have! Thank you in advance

OP posts:

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 14:44

@HolidayTimeAgain i used stock both times, as FIL doesn't drink

OP posts:

Twistmeandturnme · 08/09/2017 14:44

Is he giving you mince steak and kidney rather then standard mince?? If it's minced then you wouldn't necessarily notice the texture but it may explain the flavour.....

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 08/09/2017 14:44

Even if the piece of meat was covered in wee at some point () it wouldn't still reek after being cooked, would it?

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 14:46

@carou an electric fan oven, so there is no chance of any kind of gas leak or anything like that

OP posts:

ApocalypseNowt · 08/09/2017 14:47

Is there an equivalent thread on Granset "DIL cooked me a pie that smelled like piss.....AGAIN"?

theymademejoin · 08/09/2017 14:48

@pinkflamingo12 - I'm sorry. I already clarified above that I don't think it's your over or dish but that based on the evidence you have it could be anything. Hope you didn't feel I was criticising your housekeeping :-)

I just think, if it was the beef, you would have smelt it if it was raw so it's likely to be some combination of factors.

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 14:48

@Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar there was no smell whatsoever. This is why i was so confused and presumed it was the onion at first.

Could the heat of the oven be bringing out bacteria in the beef?

OP posts:

DorisDangleberry · 08/09/2017 14:49

Probably best not to confront the butcher. They have fucking big knives, you could end up in a pie yourself.

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 14:51

@theymademejoin It's ok. That is the strange thing, the beef didn't smell even a little bit like wee before i cooked it, which is why i initially thought it was the onion. i guess butcher isn't always best

OP posts:

PurplePillowCase · 08/09/2017 14:53

I have encountered pork that smellt of wee. Inwas told that's because some countries don't castrate male piglets and it's the male hormones causing the strong smell.

NanooCov · 08/09/2017 14:54

If it didn't smell of wee prior to cooking I can't imagine it's the beef. How old is your tomato purée?
Is it only you that's noticed the smell?
I wouldn't "confront" the butcher until you've tried again with beef sourced from elsewhere - if it still pongs you've ruled out the beef.

RonSwansonsMoustache · 08/09/2017 14:55

Surely the best thing to do is try the recipe with meat from another source, and see what happens before you go confronting anyone/leaving bad reviews?

If it doesn't happen with the meat from the supermarket or other butcher, then by all means confront him, but it's a bit unfair to do so when you don't know his meat is at fault.

PlinkyTheFairyWitch · 08/09/2017 14:55

I'm with twist - kidneys always smell like wee to me, which is why I can't stand them! Butcher could be cutting his best beef mince with kidneys, or it could be old. Buy half a pound, cook it on its own to check. If it still smells, you've got your culprit.

theymademejoin · 08/09/2017 14:57

If it was pork, it could be boar taint, caused by hormones. www.ibtimes.com/meat-leaving-bad-taste-your-nose-scientists-find-genetic-explanation-boar-taint-sensitivity-695141

I wonder can you get the same in beef?

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 15:01

I will try some beef from the supermarket near me in future. I understand that i don't have enough evidence that the butcher's meat is what is causing my pie to smell like wee, however i still feel i should make the issue known to the butcher as it could still be his beef?

OP posts:

oldlaundbooth · 08/09/2017 15:02

Doris

Better get to Asda instead OP

NoProblemForMe · 08/09/2017 15:03

Re: pork smelling of wee I've always thought it smells like shit when it's being cooked. I put it down to the fact pigs aren't choosy what they eat

How anyone would willingly eat filtration organs (liver, kidney) is beyond me.

DamnSummerCold · 08/09/2017 15:06

I'd let him know but it a very confrontational way, the poor man might be losing customers in droves and not know why.

As someone above said it maybe his supply chain.

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 15:06

I just dont want PIL thinking i am digusting as i have now cooked them beef which smells like wee twice

OP posts:

theymademejoin · 08/09/2017 15:09

I think you should serve them a salad next time. Much safer!

AreWeThereYet000 · 08/09/2017 15:09

i feel I should make the issue known to the butcher as it could still be his beef

Yeah make sure you go to the veg stall as it could be his onions, write to Knorr as it could be there stockpot and let the supermarket know you're not happy with the pastry.... seriously just leave the butcher alone until you've checked it is definitely his meat as PP have said by using a differently sourced meat or cooking his meat on its own. Small local businesses struggle anyway without bad reviews been left that could or couldn't be, be true.

MadamPatti · 08/09/2017 15:12

I once refroze kidney that had previously been frozen (at the supplier) and when I defrosted them, they smelt strongly of urine. Was there kidney in the mixture? I think a lot of supermarket offal has been previously frozen.

notanotherNC · 08/09/2017 15:18

Why don't you get beef from Sainsbury's, try the recipe again keeping all other factors constant, and see if it still smells like piss.

notanotherNC · 08/09/2017 15:18

Oh @RonSwansonsMoustache already suggested that!

Original poster

pinkflamingo12 · 08/09/2017 15:19

@AreWeThereYet000 As i have already discussed in my OP, i had already changed where i bought the onions after the first pie smelled bad. And if we are going to be pernickety, i use OXO stock cubes to make my stock, which i use in many many different dishes (i usually cook from scratch as i don't like ready meals) and they do not smell like wee. I am fully aware of the struggle of smalls business, hence why i bought my beef from my local butcher in the first place. I just felt, if there is a chance his meat is not safe, people need to know

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