Mother’s Day this year also landed on our 12th Wedding Anniversary, so we decided to celebrate all weekend. Instead of going out to eat, this usually means we eat at home and cook something as a treat. And by treat, I usually mean beef, namely filet mignon. We aren’t huge red meat eaters, so when we want to celebrate, we like to do it right.
We have been to Hedgeapple Farm previously during Family Fun on the Farm weekends that take place in October, but had never purchased any beef there. It was always something we talked about doing, but never made the trip when it was time to buy. This time was different, I was on a mission to eat local so we headed out to the farm.
Hedgeapple Farm raises grass-fed black angus cows and then sells directly to the public from their retail outlet on the farm. If you want to learn more about grass-fed beef, you can read about it here. We knew we wanted to make filet mignon on Saturday night and hubby decided he wanted to attempt brisket on Sunday. Worked for me.
I expected the prices to be more and of course they were. I can’t remember exactly how much more they were than shopping at a warehouse or grocery store, but I remember thinking it wasn’t all that bad. It was definitely less expensive than eating out, plus it was a whole lot better. The woman working there could not have been more delightful and helpful, answering our questions and offering recipes.
I have to admit I didn’t know what to expect as to the taste of the beef. Honestly, before I watched Food, Inc., I didn’t even pay attention to what the cow I was eating had to eat. Never crossed my mind. When I took the first bite, I knew it was going to be very hard to go back to corn-fed beef. Oh my goodness, it had a flavor that I can’t accurately describe and it almost melted in my mouth like butter. Of course, it was a filet and it is suppose to be like that, but the brisket was just as good.
It really did have a different flavor than any beef I had eaten before and we will definitely be going back for more. As I said the cost was more, but I would gladly eat out less to make up for the expense.
You can find Hedgeapple Farm on the Interwebs here. If beef is your thing do yourself a favor and make a trip out there soon. Just make sure you leave some for me.
Have you been to Hedgeapple? Let me know what you tried and your thoughts.
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