Sqwertz wrote:
>
> Dried beef *is* pretty expensive for what it is, very low-quality
> ground beef with salt and nitrites dried to 50% it's original weight -
> about $5/lb in raw to finished materials and processing. It's not a
> big seller at retail and is only kept around for nostalgia's sake.
> Same with those tiny glass bottles of "Olde English' cheese spreads
> and soon to be SPAM, both of which are also artificially expensive.

The "Olde English" cheese is certainly nothing special.
I have a crab recipe that calls for it and I always bought the OE
cheese thinking it had some special taste. I never tasted it plain, I
just mixed it in. Last time though I decided to try a spoonful by
itself. I couldn't believe I'd been paying so much for this tiny jar
all the years. It tastes just like 'american cheese product' to me.

Next time I make this recipe I'll just melt some of those slices. Or
maybe buy some real mild cheddar from the deli to melt. All about the
same taste.