Kapanlagi.com - Cooking tender meat that is free from fishy odors is often a challenge, especially for beginners in the culinary world. A misstep in the boiling process can have fatal consequences: the meat remains tough even after long boiling, or worse, it becomes fishy and loses its flavor when served.
But don’t worry! Various techniques have been developed to ensure that the meat not only becomes tender quickly but also has an enticing aroma that tempts anyone to indulge in it. From selecting the right ingredients to the proper boiling technique, every step plays a crucial role in creating a delicious dish.
So, how can we make our boiled meat more tender, free from fishy smells, and of course, delicious when served? Check out the following article that may help answer your confusion in preparing the perfect meat dish.
1. Causes of Meat Being Tough and Fishy
According to Fimela.com, choosing the right cut of meat is key to achieving a tender texture. Cuts that are rich in muscle and fibers, such as thighs, are usually tougher than tender cuts like tenderloin or sirloin.
In addition, improper cooking techniques, such as using high heat, can cause the meat fibers to tighten and become difficult to soften. If not balanced with natural ingredients like ginger and bay leaves, the fishy aroma can become even more pronounced.
No less important, improper storage methods and the habit of washing meat before processing can also contribute to the spread of bacteria that worsens the fishy smell.
2. Techniques for Boiling Meat to Make it Tender Quickly and Not Fishy: Can Use Low Heat
To achieve meat that is tender and free from fishy odor, there is a clever trick that can be applied: use low heat after the water boils. This way, the meat fibers will soften without tightening, resulting in a tender and appetizing texture.
Don’t forget to add spices like ginger, bay leaves, or galangal when boiling; in addition to eliminating unpleasant odors, these spices also enrich the flavor of the dish. The gradual boiling method, such as the 5-30-7 technique, is also very effective.
In this step, the meat is boiled for 5 minutes, left in a covered pot for 30 minutes, and then boiled again for 7 minutes. The result? Evenly cooked meat, still juicy, and ready to delight the palate!
3. Using Marinades to Tenderize Meat
Marinating meat before boiling is a great trick to speed up the cooking process while eliminating the unpleasant fishy smell. By utilizing natural ingredients like pineapple, lime, or papaya leaves, which are rich in enzymes that break down meat fibers, you can make the meat tender in no time.
Not only that, adding salt or baking soda can also be an effective alternative to soften meat. Simply coat the meat with your chosen ingredient, let it sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then rinse before boiling. The result? The meat is not only more tender but also flavorful, ready to be transformed into a favorite dish that tantalizes the taste buds!
4. Cutting and Preparing Meat Properly
The way you cut meat has a significant impact on its texture and flavor! By cutting against the grain, we can shorten the meat fibers, making it easier to break down during cooking and definitely more delicious.
Additionally, removing excess fat before cooking is very important to avoid the unpleasant fishy smell, as fat that melts during boiling often produces an unappetizing aroma. After the meat is cut and cleaned, soaking it in cold water can be a great trick to draw out any remaining blood, ensuring a cleaner and odor-free cooking result.
5. Combination of Boiling Techniques with Natural Ingredients
Processing meat perfectly is not just about time, but also an art! The key to success lies in the right boiling technique and the use of natural ingredients rich in flavor. Imagine, spices like ginger, lime leaves, and lemongrass not only eliminate fishy odors but also add depth of flavor that tantalizes the taste buds.
With the step-by-step boiling technique (5-30-7) or by using a pressure cooker, you can speed up the tenderizing process without sacrificing deliciousness. And for those who want maximum results in a practical way, a slow cooker or pressure pot is the best friend in the kitchen, allowing you to enjoy delicious dishes without the hassle of monitoring every second!
6. How to boil meat to make it tender quickly?
Use a gentle low flame, add your chosen spices, and apply the step-by-step boiling technique with the 5-30-7 method to create a dish rich in flavor and enticing aroma. This way, each spice will be perfectly absorbed, resulting in an unforgettable taste in every bite.
7. What should be added when boiling meat to avoid a fishy smell?
To eliminate the disturbing fishy odor and enhance the deliciousness of the dish, add fresh ginger, fragrant bay leaves, aromatic lemongrass, and tempting garlic.
8. Can pineapple tenderize meat?
Of course! Pineapple is not just a refreshing fruit, but it also has an amazing kitchen secret. The bromelain enzyme content in it acts as a 'breaker' of meat fibers, making your dish more tender and delicious in no time. Who would have thought that pineapple could be the best friend when cooking meat!
9. How long should meat be boiled to become tender?
Boiling time can vary, but if you choose a smart gradual method like 5-30-7, prepare yourself to enjoy the process which takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. This way, each step will bring you closer to the perfect flavor!
(kpl/srr)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.