If you haven't already heard about it, I'll tell you. Lady Gaga was recently spotted sporting a very... juicy/raw dress at the 2010 VMA (Video Music Awards, for those of you who are busy trying to do SEO, etc).
In an article by Sharon Clott, the dress, created by Franc Fernandez, was made of matambre. This cut of meat comes from the under belly of a cow, and may be also known as a flank steak. When asked if the meat was smelly, Fernandez replied, "No, not at all. It's actually very clean meat, very sturdy and strong and doesn't run at all. It's the meat you use to make a roast, where you roll it in a tortilla and put it in the oven. Hence, the shoes — that's why they were wrapped in butcher twine." ( Lady Gaga's Meat Dress )
Of course, the grotesque nature of this dress is upsetting the non-ag world. Taken from PETA's blog, "Lately, Lady Gaga has been having a hard time keeping her act "over the top." Wearing a dress made out of cuts of dead cows is offensive enough to bring comment, but someone should whisper in her ear that there are more people who are upset by butchery than who are impressed by it—and that means a lot of young people will not be buying her records if she keeps this stuff up." ( PETA's take )
Are you kidding?! Kids are eating this stuff up, and Gaga herself said that she's not trying to offend anyone. In fact, I believe she was trying to make a point about how girls are often treated like they are a piece of meat, although she herself was quoted, "Well, it is certainly no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian. As you know, I am the most judgment-free human being on the earth," said Gaga. "However, it has many interpretations but for me this evening. If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And, I am not a piece of meat." ( USA Today - Raw Meat Dress )
That being said, I think we should all try some of this fabulous matambre! Thank you, Gaga, for bringing this rarely mentioned meat back into the limelight.
Enjoy a recipe from Emeril Lagasse, featuring some yummy meat (Note: Do not use meat that's been adorning your body. Ever.) Matambre (Rolled Stuffed Flank Steaks)
