I remember years ago telling my old boss that I was leaving my job and heading up to Leeds to train to be a butcher. He was very supportive and helpful about it, but told me a great story about how his Grandma used to make him “dripping on toast.” This was one of his fondest memories of his Grandma.
I love how people have stories about meat, normally it’s that steak they had on holiday or the famous three bird roast their mate cooked them. But the stories are always told with great excitement.
So with beef dripping normally chucked away by unaware domestic chefs or often overlooked in butchers shops and supermarkets it’s time spread the love for the “dripping.”
So what is beef dripping ? You may ask ? Well…………
Basically it i the animal fats that has been running off your roasting joint – either pork or beef – which will also have the brownish looking jelly that lurks on the bottom of your roasting tin. When solidified the lovely brown jelly will form a succulent layer on the surface of your dripping.
It is also a key part in a number of great cooking methods. The classic fish and chips are traditionally fried in dripping as the pure refined dripping has a high smoke point of 280.C and a longer frying life then normal frying oils ……. And who can forget ‘dripping cake’ which is really a type of bread with ingredients that include dripping, flour, brown sugar, spices, currents and raisins.
But it is the “mucky fat sandwich” as dripping on toast is called in Yorkshire that I’m particularly interested in. It is easy, cheap and filling. with just three main ingredients ….. dripping, bread and sea salt. Toast the bread, spread the dripping and add a pinch or two of salt. Job done and the results are great. I like to use a thickly cut white bloomer and Maldon sea salt. But some could say that’s taking to the next level, but that’s me.
The most common brand of beef dripping in the UK is called Britannia Dripping and sold in 500g packs. Highgrove Fine Foods also sell a 500g pack or if you are lucky you may just find it at your local butchers or deli.
Keep a close eye out for my home based dripping adventures.
Charlie the Butcher.
I didn’t realise that in the UK you could buy pre packaged dripping! Wow!
Never seen it like that here in Australia
I thought it was the case that fish and chips are traditionally fried in dripping or oil, depending on the region and what was available at the time. I still prefer dripping though – can’t beat a bit of meaty flavour!
wow nice stuff man.
i love this story but every year it is becoming harder to find, this year i can find none, can i buy it on line,
thanks
lisa
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I worked for W Norbury & Co Rothwell Leeds for many years rendering animal fats producing Dripping & other oils for animal feed and soap making.
sadly I cannot get Brittania beef drippng at my Asda Super market now to fry my fish & Chips in
Hi George
Sorry to hear that you can’t get dripping any more especially from Asda that began its life in Leeds. I have Leeds connections and my grandfather’s family was from Rothwell … my own father remembers the whale jaw bones that were landmark.
Hello, I absolutely love “mucky dripping”, the only place I can get it is from butchers in Castleford. I have tried all over North Yorkshire and Teesside (where I live), so if I ever pass the town I usually have a freezer bag with cool blocks ready for my bounty to be bought. I know they definately do not do it in York as well. Dripping to me, generally is the same as lard….white fat…..which is fine for cooking the chips etc but the mucky dripping is the brown dripping from the meat juices. Full of goodness (and fats) but a great way to get better if you are feeling poorly. Not everybodies taste but Castleford (a town near Leeds) butchers are able to get you it by the tub full. Hope this helps. If anyone knows of an online source I too would be interested in hearing about it.
Hi Claire, thanks for the information and background. There seems to be a bit of a thread about dripping and dripping sandwiches going on a Rugby League supporters website …. I will se if I can track it down. Meanwhile back to the very busy build up to Christmas in our shop.
Hi again … this is the thread….
http://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=512400&start=240
All I can say is that it is available in my local ASDA(Hereford) next to the butter/spread shelves. Good hunting
I go to the local locker and buy beef fat and then come home and grind it and package it up and freeze some. But the results of fried potatoes in beef fat is absolutely FANTABULOUS!!! Can’t beat those country fried potatoes in the beef fat – Oh yum! Just thought I would share this with you. I remember my grandmother talking about the various ‘sandwiches’ they ate in the depression era and this was one of them I do believe.
Hi Linda …. thanks, sounds delicious. Yep good old dripping sandwiches.
Charlie the butcher