Ostrich Burgers

What about Ostrich Burgers on the BBQ this summer?

An odd choice maybe - but consider a red meat burger that is high in protein and iron but has very low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol , - given the choice between this and a heart attack in a bun which would you choose?! The size of these birds alone means that the amount of meat they can produce is huge and considerably cost effective compared to most of our conventional meats. Ostrich meat itself has the same texture and appearance as good quality fillet beef and is incredibly delicious and versatile. It can be used as the substitute to traditional meats in a wide variety of recipes – not only burgers. How about trying ostrich steaks, stir fry, kebab or pasta dishes? Cooking time is half that of most other established meat choices but it is still very tender and lean. Ostrich meat is far lower in fat than skinless chicken and could be the healthy option for consumers – particularly if you suffer from heart related health problems. At 142 calories less than the average burger, the ostrich burger could be a way to still eat the junk food that we crave as a nation just in a more healthily acceptable way. Just by replacing four of our meat meals with ostrich each week will make the difference of a calorific intake of almost 600 calories. The average price for ostrich burgers is no more expensive than you would spend on the best range each supermarket has to offer. With a wider variety of foods becoming more readily available it can be kitsch to prepare something as unusual as ostrich for your table, gone are the days of the traditional meals our parents used to serve. Instead we can find other extraordinary meats to impress our guests with, including kangaroo, crocodile, wild boar, zebra and camel to name but a few. They will provide an interesting talking point at any dinner party or maybe even BBQ!

Whilst Ostrich meat has enjoyed a brief sojourn in some of our supermarkets your main source of supply will be ostrich farms or specialist meat outlets. On line shopping is a popular choice and will be delivered to your door. This remarkable meat is becoming more and more popular in our restaurants and if we wanted to be seen as adventurous or trendy – eating these types of foods can be a way of promoting self image and making a memorable first impression on others. As a country we are becoming more willing to try bizarre meat in a bid to broaden our minds as well as our taste buds. As a result many farmers up and down the country have decided to give ostrich farming a try in attempt to make this meat more readily accessible in order that its popularity may receive a well earned boost. Society today consumes far too many additives, chemicals, colourings and preservatives. We need to return to a more beneficial and wholesome way of eating. Making those subtle changes like for example eating ostrich burgers as opposed to beef or lamb can only improve our health and lifestyle. This in turn will have an enormous impact on our health and ultimately on that of an already struggling and over stretched health service. So no matter what the time of year when you think about that weekly shop make sure that ostrich meat is top of the list – especially when he's cooking on the barbie!