# Foie Gras... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 29, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289 "2011-06-29T18:22:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/81 "2011-06-30T12:53:33Z")
I guess I’m in the minority. I haven’t tried it and I don’t intend on trying it. I’ve seen the videos and I consider it, in my opinion, to be cruel. Yes, other animal rearing techniques are cruel and I do go out of my way to try and avoid buying that food. I fully accept that not everything I buy is reared in a way I’d want it to be but at least I am trying. With Foie Gras if it isn’t reared in a way I find cruel then it simply isn’t Foie Gras, so for me there is no ethical way for me to eat it. So I don’t. In essence, I’m not perfect but I try. I avoid what I consider to be unethical meats whenever possible and Foie Gras is by definition one of those. And no, I am not going to get all snooty towards everyone here that does eat it. You’ll have lines that you won’t cross but I will. Different strokes and whatnot. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/82 "2011-06-30T13:15:30Z")
What about the idea that we are the masters of all we survey, and animals serve at our pleasure line of thinking? I understand not being cruel to animals that are being raised for slaughter when it can be helped…I don’t see foie being any different from any other factory farmed animal. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/83 "2011-06-30T13:30:11Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > What about the idea that we are the masters of all we survey, and animals serve at our pleasure line of thinking? I understand not being cruel to animals that are being raised for slaughter when it can be helped…I don’t see foie being any different from any other factory farmed animal. I simply don’t think that way (regarding master of our domain). And as I said, I try to eat “ethically” (as in, to my concept of ethics) with everything. I admit that some stuff slips through the net as I simply did not know, but when I do for definite know I just won’t go there. This can range from simple free range eggs (and yes, I check that they can actually walk outside and not just move around inside and be able to see outside if they are lucky) and avoiding cheap meats that almost certainly are factory farmed to me knowing that I will never, ever hunt. As I said, I’m not perfect but I am trying. Some people don’t feel this way and fair enough. Everyone to their own. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/84 "2011-06-30T13:33:49Z")
I have had seared Foie three times in my life. The first it was amazing, the second two times it was overcooked and terrible. For my money (and that’s really my concern) it’s too easy to screw up for me to order again unless I am in a place where I am \*positive \*they won’t screw it up. So if I am ever dining in a place with a Michelin star or two under their belt I will give it another shot, otherwise I am staying away. I really want to like marrow, but I am easily squicked out by things involving blood and I can’t get what marrow actually is out of my mind long enough to actually eat it, particularly when I am digging it directly out of the bone. It’s a sad failing on my part. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/85 "2011-06-30T13:49:44Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Marrow is more spreadable than foie, so your comparison is apt. I am trying to think of a French dish whereby you eat marrow soup and the next course is where you scrape the marrow out of the bones from the soup you just ate and spread it on toast. Damn, where’s my “Food Lover’s Companion”? You might be thinking of _pot-au-feu_. That can be served as two separate courses, but I believe the marrow usually comes an accompaniment to the broth part of the course (for your bread), although I don’t see why it couldn’t be served along with the meats and veggies in the second course. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/86 "2011-06-30T13:58:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > You might be thinking of _pot-au-feu_. That can be served as two separate courses, but I believe the marrow usually comes an accompaniment to the broth part of the course (for your bread), although I don’t see why it couldn’t be served along with the meats and veggies in the second course. Yes! That’s it! _Pot-au-feu._ I have been dying to try that since I first read about it in _Food Lover’s Companion_ (which is _excellent_ shitter reading material, by the way). ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/87 "2011-06-30T14:00:42Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I simply don’t think that way (regarding master of our domain). And as I said, I try to eat “ethically” (as in, to my concept of ethics) with everything. I admit that some stuff slips through the net as I simply did not know, but when I do for definite know I just won’t go there. This can range from simple free range eggs (and yes, I check that they can actually walk outside and not just move around inside and be able to see outside if they are lucky) and avoiding cheap meats that almost certainly are factory farmed to me knowing that I will never, ever hunt. > > As I said, I’m not perfect but I am trying. Some people don’t feel this way and fair enough. Everyone to their own. Fair enough. As you say, to each their own. > [@NAF1138](#): > > I have had seared Foie three times in my life. The first it was amazing, the second two times it was overcooked and terrible. For my money (and that’s really my concern) it’s too easy to screw up for me to order again unless I am in a place where I am \*positive \*they won’t screw it up. So if I am ever dining in a place with a Michelin star or two under their belt I will give it another shot, otherwise I am staying away. > > I really want to like marrow, but I am easily squicked out by things involving blood and I can’t get what marrow actually is out of my mind long enough to actually eat it, particularly when I am digging it directly out of the bone. It’s a sad failing on my part. Don’t give up! Foie can be disappointing, especially given its cost at a restaurant, if done improperly. When you pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 for an appetizer, naturally your expectations are really high, and the letdown is really steep if the chef or one of his or her underlings fucks it up. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/88 "2011-06-30T14:07:43Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Yes! That’s it! _Pot-au-feu._ I have been dying to try that since I first read about it in _Food Lover’s Companion_ (which is _excellent_ shitter reading material, by the way). You ought to try [The Decadent Cookbook](http://www.amazon.com/Decadent-Cookbook-Recipes-Obsession-Excess/dp/B000HT2OG2/ref=pd_sim_b_1) to wile away the hours. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/89 "2011-06-30T14:15:13Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Yes! That’s it! _Pot-au-feu._ I have been dying to try that since I first read about it in _Food Lover’s Companion_ (which is _excellent_ shitter reading material, by the way). If marrow’s what you’re after, just throw in some nice marrow bones next time you make a broth. Growing up, our soups often had marrow bones in them, and part of the fun was scooping out the marrow and spreading it on toast. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/90 "2011-06-30T14:17:51Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Yes! That’s it! _Pot-au-feu._ I have been dying to try that since I first read about it in _Food Lover’s Companion_ (which is _excellent_ shitter reading material, by the way). Yeah but it’s just so small! You really need the [Larrousse Gastronimique](http://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Gastronomique-Prosper-Montagne/dp/0609609718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309443406&sr=8-1) for proper relaxation. And yes, I _do_ have that in my bathroom. Very enlightening! ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/91 "2011-06-30T14:32:51Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Who here has tried it and loved it? Who has tried it and hated it? Who has never tried it but wants to? Who has an ethical problem with its production? > > Curious minds want to know! Tried it; LOVED it. No problem with the way it’s made… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/92 "2011-06-30T14:33:01Z")
I love good foie gras. Marrow is nice too… ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/93 "2011-06-30T14:44:07Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > You ought to try [The Decadent Cookbook](http://www.amazon.com/Decadent-Cookbook-Recipes-Obsession-Excess/dp/B000HT2OG2/ref=pd_sim_b_1) to wile away the hours. > [@Athena](#): > > Yeah but it’s just so small! You really need the [Larrousse Gastronimique](http://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Gastronomique-Prosper-Montagne/dp/0609609718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309443406&sr=8-1) for proper relaxation. > > And yes, I _do_ have that in my bathroom. Very enlightening! Move over, Darwin Awards and Food Lover’s! There is no more room for you atop the tank! ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/94 "2011-06-30T14:45:29Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Don’t give up! Foie can be disappointing, especially given its cost at a restaurant, if done improperly. When you pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 for an appetizer, naturally your expectations are really high, and the letdown is really steep if the chef or one of his or her underlings fucks it up. I am not going to try cooking it on my own, but I do live near New York City and have a birthday coming up where I can justify the expense. Recommend a place that does it well (anyone) and I will give it another shot. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/95 "2011-06-30T14:47:47Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Yeah but it’s just so small! You really need the [Larrousse Gastronimique](http://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Gastronomique-Prosper-Montagne/dp/0609609718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309443406&sr=8-1) for proper relaxation. > > And yes, I _do_ have that in my bathroom. Very enlightening! LOL I have my moms 400 odd volume cookbook collection, and my Larousse is the most used cookbook/aide memoire I use =) And I am exceedingly peeved that someone stole my first one, as if anybody in the US could even freaking _use_ a french language one ☹ ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/96 "2011-06-30T14:50:56Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I am not going to try cooking it on my own, but I do live near New York City and have a birthday coming up where I can justify the expense. Recommend a place that does it well (anyone) and I will give it another shot. I can’t make NYC recommendations other than by reputation. If it were up to me and money was no object, I’d probably go to Daniel. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/97 "2011-06-30T16:55:02Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I absolutely love it, and I have no ethical qualm with it. +1 The first nice meal I ever cooked for my gf was veal shanks. She had no idea it was veal. Sitting around finishing our wine, I mentioned the word “veal” and she :eek:. Turns out she hadn’t had veal since she was a little kid. Ethical concerns. We discussed the situation and now have veal every so often. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/98 "2011-06-30T17:09:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Marrow you get from marrow bones. Talk to the guys at the meat counter, and they should be able to help you. If you have trouble finding marrow bones, you can get at least a single serving of marrow from the bone in a portion of beef or veal shank. (I believe that’s where marrow bones are usually from, anyway.) > > Spread it on a a toasted baguette cut crostini-like, sprinkle some kosher salt on top, and yummy! Come to think of it, I’ve had lamb and beef marrow before, which were both _great_. In hindsight both would have been better with a bread accompaniment, rather than just on their own. Never had veal (marrow), though. Thanks for the tip 🙂 **kayaker** , where are you getting your veal shanks from? (I assume Strip District Meats but if not I’d like to give your place a shot) ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/99 "2011-06-30T17:18:25Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > I don’t get the ethical part of it. Anyone who refuses to eat foie or veal but who continues to eat mass-market meat or eggs is deluding themselves I think. I don’t think there’s any comparison between the suffering that your average chicken goes through and foie gras ducks - the duck farms I’ve seen are high quality, clean places with tons of room for the ducks to run around. Chicken farms? Not so much, to say the least. It’s not that hard to ‘get’. I’m a happy meat eater, but I make sure I buy ethically reared meat, such as organic, free range chicken. I don’t but mass market, bargain bucket meat because I don’t trust the farming practices or the quality of the product. I have eaten fois gras and find it rather too rich. I no longer eat it since a trip to the Dordogne in France where the practice originates – their gleeful touting of tourist postcards s[howing geese being force fed](http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1606-62154) was really quite revolting. I eat meat, but I’m not prepared to support unnecessary animal cruelty. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289/100 "2011-06-30T17:21:04Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > **kayaker** , where are you getting your veal shanks from? (I assume Strip District Meats but if not I’d like to give your place a shot) I have a friend with [a turkey farm](http://www.poundsturkeyfarm.com/). They also raise and slaughter a few cattle on the side. They helped me out on that occasion. Lamb shanks I get from [Jamison Farm in Latrobe](http://www.jamisonfarm.com/). Very nice people, and excellent lamb. I’m about an hour east of Pittsburgh, but I love the strip district! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foie-gras/587289.md?page=6)