2 across: what connects tripe, ears and trotters? 3 letters.

This morning I became acutely aware of a personal weakness, one that may be called enigmatic in that this particular weakness is ambivalent. The Pauline moment was upon me as I read a post filled with tripe and piggy offal from Chica Andaluza . Like many callow, home county bred Englishmen I have a problem with tripe and ears. I am genuinely keen to start a meaningful relationship with both of them but, whilst travelling under the flag of semi vegetarianism ( apparently it’s similar to being semi pregnant, but that’s by the by), this is never going to be easy. The blood soaked Mr Hyde in me loves pigs trotters, kidneys, blood sausages and much else from the butchery of the abattoir and knackers yard whereas Dr. Roger Jekyll is sickened by such excesses. As you may note, this is not an easy head within which to live and think. My problem lies in the Auschwitzian systematic killing and dismembering of so many living creatures during each hour of every day of every year in order that there may be enough choice of  body parts to satisfy each and every whim of the tiny proportion of  people on our planet who are lucky enough to be able to choose. The majority of the produce resulting from this hourly massacre is destined to be thrown away as garbage while the majority of the world starves. Any way, “I still like sausages”  says Mr. Hyde and when they’re suitably disguised under a soft blanket of tender and flavoursome Puy Lentils even Dr.J is content to tuck in. The simple dish of Toulouse sausages, Puy lentils, aromatic vegetables and red wine is a deeply satisfying and comforting dish which, I am pleased to say, I eat without compunction even though there is a very meaty presence on the plate.