By Abhishikta Mallick
Char·cu·ter·ie | The art of making sausages and other cured, smoked and preserved meats.
Think bacon, ham, sausages, pastrami, smoked meats, pork belly, the works! I recently stumbled upon a new range of processed meat products that outshines most other domestic brands available in the market. Presenting - La Carne Cuts.
The expansive array and quality of products on offer are unprecedented in the Indian industry; existing domestic/local names do not hold a candle to this European-inspired brand, with a state-of-the-art production facility in Manesar. I sampled a variety of their offerings and found subtle yet definitive differences in their tastes. The delicate beechwood smoked flavour adds a signature touch to the Bacon; the Chicken Chorizo comes with a big smack of spice; the Pork Kransky {an Australian sausage} has an enjoyable hint of garlic running through it; the Frankfurter has a charming smokiness; the paprika tinged Lamb Kabana pales in comparison to the rest, but is still hard to fault. Besides the overall meat to fat ratio and incredibly fresh condiments, these products also have the ideal casing, making the cold cuts truly special.
The indisputable star is the Smoked Chicken. I tried the whole chicken; boneless breast portions are available as well, but if you’re okay with getting your hands dirty, I strongly suggest the former. It combines the joys of slow cooking, the moist tenderness of meat cooked on the bone, and a delightful smoked flavour that adds multiple dimensions to sandwiches, pastas, salads and stir-frys. Added incentive - it’s healthy too!
These products are priced slightly on the steeper side, but please consider that they compare with imported charcuterie brands sold within India. Currently retailing out of Modern Bazaar, Vasant Vihar, and with plans to expand rapidly, La Carne Cuts comes highly recommended.
Notes in our Little Black Book |
La Carne Cuts meats are ideal for breakfast, party entrees and midnight bingeing.
Price: INR 310 for 250gm Chicken Frankfurter, INR 460 for 300gm Pork Kransky, INR 405 for 180gm Premium Beechwood Smoked Bacon
You can find out more on their Facebook page here.
