Archive for Author Emma White

The Underrated Gem of the Butcher’s Shop: Beef Flank

Hanger steak

When it comes to selecting cuts of beef, the classics like ribeye, sirloin, and filet mignon often dominate the spotlight. However, there’s an unsung hero in the butcher’s shop that deserves more attention: the beef flank. Often overlooked in favor of more glamorous cuts, beef flank offers a unique combination of flavor, texture, and versatility that makes it a worthwhile addition to any culinary repertoire.

What is Beef Flank?

The beef flank cut comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow, situated just below the loin and in front of the hind legs. It’s a long, flat cut of meat with distinct muscle grain running along its length. Because the flank is a hardworking muscle, it tends to be lean and somewhat tough compared to other cuts, but with proper preparation, it can be exceptionally tender and flavorful.

Why is it Underrated?

One reason beef flank is often overlooked is its tougher texture, which can be intimidating for cooks unfamiliar with how to handle it. Additionally, it lacks the marbling of fat found in more popular cuts, which can lead to the misconception that it is less flavorful or difficult to cook. However, these challenges can be easily overcome with the right techniques, revealing a cut that is both delicious and economical.

The Flavor Profile

Beef flank is prized for its rich, beefy flavor. Unlike more tender cuts that can sometimes be overshadowed by heavy seasonings or sauces, flank steak stands up well to bold flavors. Its robust taste makes it ideal for marinades, which can help to both tenderize the meat and infuse it with additional layers of flavor. Popular marinade ingredients include soy sauce, citrus juices, garlic, and various herbs and spices.

Cooking Techniques

The key to unlocking the potential of beef flank lies in the preparation and cooking methods. Here are some tips to make the most of this underrated cut:

  1. Marinating: A good marinade can work wonders on flank steak, helping to break down the muscle fibers and add moisture. Allow the meat to marinate for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight, in the refrigerator.
  2. Quick Cooking: Because it is a lean cut, flank steak benefits from quick cooking methods like grilling, broiling, or pan-searing. Cooking it too long can result in a dry, tough texture. Aim for medium-rare to medium doneness for the best results.
  3. Slicing Against the Grain: One of the most important steps when serving flank steak is to slice it thinly against the grain. This means cutting perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibers, which shortens them and makes the meat much more tender and enjoyable to eat.

Versatility in the Kitchen

Beef flank’s adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes. It can be grilled and served as a main course, sliced and added to salads, or used in stir-fries and fajitas. Its strong flavor and texture also make it an excellent candidate for dishes that require marinated or seasoned beef.

  • Grilled Flank Steak: A classic preparation, grilled flank steak is perfect for summer barbecues. Simply marinate, grill to desired doneness, let it rest, and slice thinly against the grain.
  • Stir-Fry: Thinly sliced flank steak cooks quickly in a hot wok or skillet, making it ideal for stir-fry dishes. Pair it with your favorite vegetables and a savory sauce for a quick and satisfying meal.
  • Fajitas: Flank steak is a staple in fajitas. Its bold flavor pairs perfectly with bell peppers, onions, and warm tortillas.
  • Salads: Add slices of cooked flank steak to salads for a protein-packed meal. Its hearty flavor complements greens, tomatoes, avocados, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Conclusion

Beef flank is an underrated cut that deserves more recognition for its robust flavor and culinary versatility. With the right preparation and cooking techniques, it can be transformed into a tender and delicious component of many dishes. Next time you’re at the butcher’s shop, consider giving beef flank a try—it’s a cut that might just surprise you with its potential.

Lamb Backstrap: A Closer Look

Lamb backstrap cut

What Is Lamb Backstrap?

The lamb backstrap, also known as the eye of loin, is a premium cut that resides in the hind quarter of the lamb. It’s lean, elongated, and packed with flavor. Think of it as the lamb’s answer to the filet mignon—a slice of meat that balances tenderness and taste.

Why Choose Lamb Backstrap?

  1. Tenderness: The backstrap is exceptionally tender due to its location near the spine. It’s like the softest whisper of meat on your palate.
  2. Flavor: Despite its tenderness, the backstrap boasts robust lamb flavor. It’s not shy; it’s confident.

Cooking Techniques for Lamb Backstrap

1. Bringing It to Room Temperature

Before you embark on your culinary adventure, allow the lamb backstrap to cozy up to room temperature for about 15 minutes. This step ensures even cooking and tenderness.

2. Seasoning and Oil Drizzle

  • Season the backstraps generously with salt and pepper. Imagine each grain of salt enhancing the lamb’s flavor.
  • Drizzle a touch of oil over the seasoned meat. It’s like giving it a gentle massage before the sizzle begins.

3. Searing Perfection

  • Preheat a heavy-based frying pan or chargrill pan over medium heat until it’s hot and ready.
  • Add the lamb backstraps in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan; we’re not hosting a meat party here.
  • Cook each side for approximately three minutes or until beautifully browned. The goal? Medium-rare lamb. If you prefer it more done, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Don’t forget the thinner sides—give them a quick turn for an all-over tan.

4. The Resting Ritual

  • Remove the backstraps from the pan. Remember, they’re like divas—they’ll continue cooking slightly even after the spotlight (heat) fades.
  • Transfer them to a plate or tray, cover loosely with foil, and let them rest. This isn’t a siesta; it’s a symphony. The juices will waltz back into the meat, rendering it tender, juicy, and ready for applause.

Recipes to Showcase Lamb Backstrap

Now that you’re armed with the cooking know-how, let’s explore some recipes:

  1. Za’atar-Crumbed Lamb Backstrap: A Middle Eastern affair, crusted with za’atar and served on a couscous bed
  2. Backstrap with Celeriac Mash and Watercress: A symphony of flavors—anchovies, mint, and pumpkin dance around the lamb.
  3. Marinated Lamb Backstraps with Lentil and Rocket Salad: Imagine a lamb tango with roasted veggies and a fresh vinaigrette

Remember, the lamb backstrap deserves your culinary finesse. Cook it with love, and let its tenderness serenade your taste buds. Bon appétit!

How to Choose Supermarket Steaks

Supermarket Steaks

Can you actually taste a mouthful of succulent steak every time you pass by the meat section of your local supermarket? If you answered “Yes” to that, you may very well take the prize for being an ardent steak lover, except that your love for steak cannot be complete unless you are aware of what to look for in the packaged steaks available in the supermarket.

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Marinades and the Science of Meat Tenderisation

Marinade Bowl

Tenderising a tough cut of meat is a challenge that can leave even the most skilled cooks in a quandary. But what if you could tenderise a tough meat portion and make it flavourful at the same time? This is where the right marinade can come to your rescue. Even though there are claims that dispute marinades’ widely accepted tenderising effects, it has been used to convert the chewiness of meat into finger-licking succulence since time immemorial. All it takes is the knowledge of which ingredients to use and the length of time for which a particular marinade should be rubbed on the meat.

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Tenderstretch vs. Achilles Tendon: Which One Scores Higher?

Beef hanging methods

Who in their right mind would say no to a tender cut of meat? The mere thought of a juicy, succulent steak is enough to make anyone develop a craving for it. Are you aware, however, that the tenderness of meat goes much further than the cut of meat alone? While natural factors like the age and breed of a particular animal are beyond human control, the meat industry does utilise the hanging process to reduce toughness in the meat. Following the initial steps of slaughtering and dressing the animal, its carcase can be hung using two techniques in order to improve the tenderness quotient of its meat cuts. 

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Anatomy of a T-Bone

T Bone Anatomy

Universally recognized, the Beef T-Bone is considered one of the highest quality dinner table steaks.  Its distinctive ‘T’ shaped bone is nestled between two steaks each themselves prized cuts of beef.   This post explores the anatomy of the T-Bone to help you better understand and prepare this treasured cut.

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Low And Slow Or Hot And Fast?

BBQ

So you bought three different cuts of meat on your last trip to the butcher’s. When you cooked them using the same method, each of them yielded different results – good, not so good and barely edible.

Whether you are a meat lover to the degree of keeping it in your freezer at all times or can go to the extent of making your wardrobe out of it (a la Lady Gaga), you would naturally want to cook every cut of meat to perfection. While this may not seem like an easy job at first, it would help to remember some important rules of thumb about cooking meat.

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Chicken Offal

Chicken Foot

If you think about it, buying a whole chicken is such a practical thing to do. You can eat the meat and use the leftover bones to make a flavorful and nutritious stock. The only items that may not be your cup of tea meat are the offal portions.

Those of us who are daring enough to give these offbeat chicken parts a chance, however, can vouch for the absolute delight they are when cooked properly. Offal cuts of any animal are usually scoffed upon by people because they have an inherently different flavor and texture. In other words, they require an acquired taste to be appreciated.

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World of Bacon

Back Bacon

Man’s love for bacon (and everything it goes into) is as old as time itself. While this may sound like a statement exaggerated to epic proportions, there certainly is a ring of truth to it. According to many historical accounts, the earliest roots of bacon can be traced back to the Roman era. The Romans came up with the idea of using portions of pig and convert them into ‘petaso’, a food item that bore close semblance to bacon as we know, cook, eat and love today.

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