Yes your suggestions sound good! I generally prefer spring lamb or mutton as the taste is more subtle. I like strong flavours with it too. Lots of mint or curry spices. Used to make loads of koftas! Need to see if I can find my old recipe.
I was surprised how much fat had gone actually. I tried various bits of the meat which was tender enough but just tasted vile. The stuffing flavours were questionable anyway and that combined with the smoke was just vile
Well also remember that I’m a newbie!! An expert may have success. I’m not a fan of fatty belly meats either unless they’re cremated.
The flavours were all wrong too but it was given to me for a couple quid so thought a cheap experiment more to see about texture really and if the fat would crisp. It takes a high heat and a lot of salt for me to get the finish I like on belly pork
Yeah I’d be surprised if a decent butcher can’t sort you out.
i haven’t a clue what supermarkets have nowadays. I only go once every 6 weeks or so! I generally used to find the bacon is too thinly sliced/too much water and disintegrates on things I’ve cooked low and slow in the oven. With a butcher I can specify the the thickness I need it cut depending on what I plan to use for. I like thinner if I’m roasting and thicker for low and slow. (Talking oven here before I learnt about smokers)