Why Braised Beef is More Delicious than Steak
Many people associate beef primarily with steak, but in reality, braised beef offers a richer and more flavorful experience. If you're wondering how to braise beef effectively and what nutritional benefits this meat provides, you've come to the right place. Learning to braise beef is easier than you think!
Tips for Perfectly Braised Beef
1. Start with Boiling Water
When braising beef, it's crucial to use boiling water rather than cold water. This is because beef is high in protein, and hot water helps to coagulate the proteins, preventing the meat's flavorful components from escaping and ensuring a tastier dish.
2. Add Enough Water at Once
Make sure to add sufficient water in one go during the braising process. If you need to add more, only add hot water to maintain the cooking temperature.
3. Use Tea for Enhanced Flavor
Wrapping a small amount of tea leaves in cheesecloth and adding it to the pot while braising can speed up the cooking process and enhance the flavor of the meat.
4. Incorporate Alcohol and Vinegar
Add a little wine and vinegar for added tenderness and flavor. This will not only make the meat more succulent but also elevate its taste.
5. Include Hawthorn or Radish
Adding a few pieces of dried hawthorn or radish can expedite the cooking time and help eliminate any undesirable odors from the meat.
Recommended Braised Beef Recipes
1. Radish Braised Beef
Ingredients: 450g white radish, 100g lean beef.
Instructions: 1. Clean and cut the radish and beef into 2cm cubes, briefly blanch them in boiling water, and set aside. 2. Heat oil in a pot, add scallions, ginger, and star anise to sauté until fragrant. Then, add broth, cooking wine, and beef, allowing it to simmer until tender. 3. Add the radish pieces, bring to a boil, and skim off any foam. 4. Once the radish is fork-tender, season with salt, soy sauce, and MSG, then remove the scallions and other flavorings before serving.
2. Tomato Braised Beef
Main Ingredients: Beef ribs, tomatoes, ginger, cooking wine, salt, scallions, vegetable oil, vinegar.
Instructions: 1. Clean the beef and cut it into small cubes, slicing ginger and scallions. 2. Heat vegetable oil until hot, then fry the beef until browned and remove it from the pot. 3. Return the beef to the pot with enough water to cover, add ginger, cooking wine, scallions, and salt. 4. Peel and cut tomatoes, then add to the pot and simmer on low for about 60 minutes.
3. Potato Braised Beef
Ingredients: Beef, potatoes, cooking oil, ginger slices, soy sauce, red wine, salt, chicken essence, dried chili, scallions.
Instructions: 1. Cut beef and potatoes into appropriate sizes and blanch the beef in boiling water until discolored. 2. In a hot pan, sauté ginger slices in oil before adding the beef and soy sauce along with some red wine. 3. Pour enough hot water to cover the beef, add dried chili, and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam. 4. Transfer everything to a braising pot and cook on automatic setting for about an hour. 5. Add the potato pieces and simmer until both are tender. Finish with a garnish of scallions.
4. Classic Braised Beef
Ingredients: 2 tbsp cooking wine, 2 tbsp salt, ice sugar, 1kg beef, 3 scallions, 1 piece of ginger, star anise, and cinnamon.
Instructions: 1. Clean and cut the beef into chunks. Blanch in boiling water to remove blood and rinse under cold water. 2. Place scallions, ginger, beef, star anise, cinnamon, cooking wine, sugar, and salt in a braising pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for an hour until tender.
The Nutritional Benefits of Beef
Beef is a powerhouse of protein, featuring a profile of amino acids more aligned with human needs compared to pork. It helps enhance the immune system and is particularly beneficial for those recovering from surgery or experiencing blood loss, as it aids in tissue repair. In winter, beef serves as a warming food for the stomach, making it an ideal addition to your diet. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that beef strengthens vital energy, nourishes the spleen and stomach, fortifies bones, expels phlegm, and quells thirst–beneficial for those who are weak or suffer from anemia.
Important Notes on Beef Consumption
While beef offers numerous health benefits, it's advisable not to consume it too frequently; once a week is recommended. For those with digestive issues, incorporating hawthorn, orange peel, or a bit of tea during cooking can tenderize the meat more effectively. Since beef’s muscle fibers are coarse, making it hard to digest, it's important for children, the elderly, and those with weak digestive systems to consume it in moderation. Modern studies suggest that excessive intake of red meat can have adverse health effects, particularly for individuals with skin, liver, or kidney issues.