A Biftek Story

Compared with the UK, and most probably the majority of EU states, Bosnia and Herzegovina is exceptionally cheap for foreigners and "ex Pats", when it comes to the standard of living.

My main example to highlight this to friends and family, has been relating the price of a beer in London (in the main a little short of £1.50), to beer here, (crate of 20 x .5 litre bottles = 16.70 BAM or £7.50).

I would like to use a word other than "cheap" but "Sta je Tu je" (it is what it is).

For everyday citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, prices are increasing, that's a fact, but nowhere near as in northern Europe. I suppose it's all relative though.

To keep prices down, the main, how can I say, High Street stores, are relying on importing cheap massed produce products, that undercut massively, the local, higher quality produce.

My grammar sucks I know.

Globalisation is, when you look at it, shit for the small country that wants to keep it's traditions and identity.

So it is here when it comes to meat. 

Try finding steak for example. Yes it's available in restaurants at restaurant prices, but not often over the counter at the main, in town or city shopping outlets.

I digress.

We have been trying to buy as "local" as possible for sometime. It might cost a bit more, but supporting local business is crucial, even more so here in the Western Balkans.

We buy meat from our local butcher, the quality of which is astounding and sourced locally. 

Just recently we have been able to order steak (biftek) with a few days notice.

The animals have been raised on grass and locally. Yes it's reasonably expensive, but the quality says it all.

This image shows our most recent order.

1.92 kg and at a cost of 54 BAM (£24.00).

No longer will we need to search for a restaurant that has a good pepper steak on the menu. We can now make our own, with the added value that it will be prepared with love.

Oh! and we'll save money too.