Beef, as one of the common meats in our daily diet, is favored for its unique taste and rich nutrients. Beef is not only rich in high-quality protein, minerals such as iron and zinc, but also contains B vitamins, which play an important role in the development and maintenance of the body. Whether stewed, boiled, or stir-fried, the umami flavor of beef can arouse people's appetite and become a must-have delicacy on many people's tables. However, the emergence of unscrupulous merchants in the market has complicated the choice of beef, especially when purchasing, we need to be careful to avoid buying low-quality beef.
To help you choose high-quality and healthy beef, here are four characteristics to avoid when buying beef. If you see these characteristics in the butcher's shop, it is recommended that you quickly turn your head and leave, such inferior beef, even the butcher shop owner himself does not want to eat it.
1. Pale pink or lighter color, the surface is moist and does not stick to your hands
High-quality beef usually has a bright dark red color and a uniform color. If you notice that the beef is pale pink or lighter in color, and the surface is moist and not sticky, it feels loose to the touch, and there is a noticeably irregular reddish juice oozing from the cut side, then this is most likely infused buffalo meat. Infusing buffalo meat with moisture not only reduces the taste of the meat, but may also affect its nutritional value. This type of beef tends to become fluffy when cooked, has a poor taste, and may even affect health.
2. Unelastic beef
Fresh beef should have some elasticity and be able to quickly return to its original shape when gently pressed. If you find that the beef is completely unelastic and leaves a dent when pressed, it is likely that the beef is no longer fresh. Beef that is not elastic often means that the meat has spoiled and may cause discomfort after consumption.
3. Beef with a blackened and dry surface that smells sour or rancid
The surface of fresh beef should be smooth and shiny. If you notice that the surface of the beef is black and dry, or even smells sour or rancid, there is no doubt that such beef should never be bought. This kind of beef not only tastes bad, but more importantly, it may breed bacteria and cause food poisoning after eating.
4. Ground beef
Ground beef is also a feature to avoid when shopping for beef. While ground beef may be more attractive in terms of price, it is often a few leftovers, or even mixed with other meats, which makes it difficult to guarantee quality and greatly reduces the taste. In addition, ground beef is more susceptible to contamination, so try to choose whole pieces of high-quality beef to ensure the freshness and safety of the ingredients.
In addition to the above four characteristics, there are also the following points to keep in mind when buying beef:
1. Choose a reputable butcher shop or supermarket: Reputable businesses are usually more strict about the quality of their meat.
2. Observe the color and texture of the meat: High-quality beef has clear muscle fibers, even fat distribution, and should not have too much fishy smell.
3. Inquire about the source: Know the source of the beef, some places have better quality because of the more particular way of raising and processing.
Recommended recipe 1: beef stew with potatoes
Ingredients: 500g beef, 2 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 cloves of garlic, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, black pepper.
Specific steps:
1. Cut the beef into cubes and marinate in light soy sauce, cooking wine, salt and black pepper for 30 minutes; Peel and dice the potatoes and carrots, slice the onions, mince the garlic.
2. Heat the pan with cold oil, first add the onion and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the marinated beef, add an appropriate amount of dark soy sauce, stir-fry until it changes color, then add enough water, turn to low heat and simmer for 1 hour, add potatoes and carrots, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes until the beef is soft and the potatoes are cooked through. Season with salt and serve with rice.
Recommended recipe 2: Beef sauce with shiitake mushrooms
Ingredients: 300 grams of beef, 50 grams of dried shiitake mushrooms, 1 green pepper, 1 green onion, light soy sauce, bean paste, salt and sugar.
Detailed instructions:
1. Chop the beef, soak the dried shiitake mushrooms until soft and finely chop, dice the green peppers, and mince the green onions.
2. Heat the pan with cold oil, add the beef and stir-fry until it changes color, remove and set aside.
3. Add minced green onion to the pot and stir-fry until fragrant, then add shiitake mushrooms and green peppers and stir-fry well, finally add beef, add light soy sauce, bean paste, salt and sugar, stir-fry well, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, and then remove the juice.
In conclusion, it is important to choose high-quality beef, and know how to identify the characteristics of bad beef in order to provide yourself and your family with a healthy and delicious diet. Hopefully, the above information and recipes will help you and make you enjoy more food in the world of beef!
[Personal opinion, for reference only!] This article is original by "Show Chef Niang", the article and pictures are copyrighted, please do not plagiarize, delete, or misappropriate without permission, and infringement must be investigated! 】