Let’s talk for a minute. Really talk. About a serious subject.

Today’s subject is the ingredient “veal cheek.”  These days, I’m finding it in all sorts of dishes in the Queen City.

Veal cheek: (vee-el che-eek)

A cut of veal derived from the face of a baby cow.

(Definition courtesy of me.)

Translation? Baby. Cow. Face.

Now, maybe there’s an excess of baby cow faces out there, or maybe this is some sort of effort to use more of the animals people eat and be less wasteful. I’m all about being more efficient and everything, but seriously.

It’s face.

This photo (sans labels) is courtesy of a blog that likes eating veal – Gratuity Not Included.

In fairness, I’m generally against veal. I think grown cow tastes better and got to live an unchained life, hanging out with all the other happy cows I get to see in those California cheese commercials (because that’s how I learn about agriculture. Happy cow commercials.) Veal, on the other hand, remains barbaric in my mind. (Lots of people have argued about this with me, over what constitutes “veal”, as well as the term “humane,” but feel free to chime in in the comments if you feel strongly about consuming baby cow.)

So can we go back to the days of sneaking cow tongue into things? Because, well, I’d rather eat tongue than face. At least this way, I can pretend it’s tasting me while I taste it. And that’s only fair.

Or, better yet, more steak for all.