Cooking Beef Tongue
Some people love it while others loathe it, but cooking beef tongue can be tricky if it’s your first time. To begin, purchase a quality tongue from your butcher (skip those grocery store varieties).
Why does a butcher make all the difference? If you develop a good rapport with a local butcher, you can be sure that your meat will be fresh every time. A butcher that knows you is also more likely to cut any meat the way you want it – this is truly priceless when it comes to creating difficult meals. When cooking beef tongue, it is best to boil it and then remove the skin. Since this part of the cow is really tough, you will have a much easier time taking that skin off after it has been boiled. While boiling is the most popular way to cook this meat, there are other methods that you may want to consider.
This slice of meat can be cut thinly (to make sure those slices are extra thin, you will need a very sharp knife), and then placed on the grill for an easy snack. Or, you can cook this type of meat in a vat of fat (lard will work) by cutting the tongue from the thick end to the thin end; adding salt, pepper, and garlic inside; allowing it to marinate; then melt the fat with the tongue and place in the over. Cook this meat for three hours over a low heat. If you choose this method, your meat will be tender and succulent.
If you are not a fan of cooking beef tongue, you may be wondering why anyone would want to eat this part of the cow. Well, this meat is packed with protein and nutrients, which is why it is quickly becoming a popular staple across the nation. Thanks to numerous low-carb diets, more people are eating meat than ever before. While this particular cut may hold a lot of protein, be careful not to eat too much meat during the week (you have your heart to think about!).
Also, if you are going to use the fat method mentioned above, take into consideration the amount of calories that this recipe contains. That said, this slice of meat is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding some very interesting recipes. Of course, the whole thing is an acquired taste, so make sure you actually like this part of the cow before buying loads of expensive ingredients.
When cooking beef tongue, just remember to cut off that skin after you cook it, and you should have a melt-in-your-mouth piece every time.