Braising meat is becoming some what of a trend. The benefits of it, however, are endless. It's a slow cooking technique that provides tender, juicy meat, regardless of the cut. The tricky part is actually trivial if you know what you're doing.
The main ingredient in braising is your liquid. Think about the meat you are cooking and what savory or sweet liquid would contribute a good flavor to your meat i.e. beef-red wine, Asian dish- soy sauce, Pork-beer or apple juice. When I braise pork, I like to use 1 part beer or apple juice or white wine to 3 parts chicken, veal, or pork stock. Same goes for other cuts of meat, just think about how flavorful your liquid is and cook.
Programmable Slow Cooker
Next, you want to think about other flavoring agents such as vegetables and spices. generally speaking, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery and 2 parts onions is considered the "holy trinity". These veggies are used in all traditional French and Italian cooking. Garlic is also used widely or you can use shallots instead of garlic or onions. Shallots are what I tend to use most. Also, with the mention of apple juice, consider cutting up apples instead as they among other fruits are powerful flavoring agents. Spices are crucial...remember: Salt is a chemical before it is a seasoning so it is crucial in any braising process. Furthermore, rosemary is great with all meat, basil is good if your making an Italian or Provence style dish with tomatoes and garlic. Generally, I tell my cooks to Imagine what is growing on farms in certain regions. If a chef looks out the window and sees carrots, onions, celery, rosemary and a pig. He/She will most likely use all of those ingredients and not much more. Therefore, if you are given a hand full of ingredients at the farmers market, you can make an amazing braised dish.
Now, for the technique. These methods can be done with various forms of cookware. For instance, If you're searing, do it in a saute pan and if your braising do it in a pot. The fastest and easiest way to do any of this style cooking is to have a really good slow cooker. Slow cookers are important because they are so versatile, safer than open flames, most of them are programmable and they can easily be set to complete most of your cooking for you. I strongly recommend you invest in a quality slow cooker. Linked is my favorite site with the best current reviews and deals on slow cookers.
* First, Sear your meat and veggies with liberal salt and pepper. some people like to coat their meat in flour. I don't suggest this because it can burn very easily. If you are using pork belly, leave the skin on. Throw in some carrots, celery and shallots. maybe apples if you want. Then sear the meat until it is more than golden brown. The best sears are the ones that are as close to burning as you can get with out actual burning or carbon development. Remember to salt heavily in this stage as salt brings out most flavors of your veggies.
* Second, deglaze by adding a small amount of acid. I use beer or apple juice with pork belly but any wine or liquor works. Brandy is generally my favorite liquor.
* Third, add you're braising liquid. 3 parts stock to 1 part additional liquid. You should also add your spices now. Again, Rosemary and thyme are the best for pork belly.
* Fourth, Cook on low or in oven at 200 for 3 to 8 hours depending on the size of your cut. What you can do is poke at your meat with a fork every hour or so until you feel that tension within the meat has diminished. This process is so much easier with a slow cooker.
That's all it takes. Braising meat is so beneficial because it will save you time and money while cooking. The end result will always be tender and delicious. You will most likely have left overs and your whole family will be eating healthy.
Remember this is far easier with a slow cooker. If you are using a saute pan and then switching over to a pot, you are going to lost serious flavor. It is always best to do this with a product you can trust. I sincerely hope you at least look into slow cookers..
I hope this helped you with all of your cooking in general. It was my pleasure to teach you what I teach my cooks and students.
Black Friday Crock-Pot 38501-W 5-Quart Round Smart-Pot Slow Cooker, White 2011 Deals
Nov 13, 2011 11:16:12
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Black Friday Crock-Pot 38501-W 5-Quart Round Smart-Pot Slow Cooker, White Feature
- 5-quart slow cooker makes family-style meals for 4 to 5 people
- Programmable temperature control; auto-shift to warm setting when cooking is complete
- Dishwasher-safe stoneware crock with stick-resistant coating
- SUREGRIP side handles for improved grip and comfort
- Dishwasher-safe glass lid; 1-year warranty
Black Friday Crock-Pot 38501-W 5-Quart Round Smart-Pot Slow Cooker, White Overview
Rival's Smart-Pot 5-quart white oval crock-potBlack Friday Crock-Pot 38501-W 5-Quart Round Smart-Pot Slow Cooker, White Specifications
The original slow cooker, the Crock-Pot was first introduced by Rival in the 1970s and has proved to be much more than a fad. This convenient appliance helps you prepare delicious family-style meals while you’re working, running errands, hiking, or just relaxing around the house.The 5-quart, round Crock-Pot is large enough to cook four to six chicken breasts with vegetables or enough chili or soup for four to five people. The easy-to-use programmable timer turns on and off with the push of a button and lets you choose among time settings of 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours. When cooking time is complete, the Crock-Pot automatically shifts into warming mode, which keeps food at the right eating temperature but doesn’t overcook it.
The exterior of this Crock-Pot is white plastic that wipes down easily and matches the décor of most kitchens. Plastic handles provide a secure and comfortable grip for transporting the cooker. The Crock-Pot’s internal liner is made of durable stoneware that is attractive enough to go from cooker to tabletop to serve your meal. The liner also has a stick-resistant coating and is dishwasher-safe to make clean-up easy. The glass lid lets you peek at your food while it cooks and is also dishwasher safe. Rival offers a limited 1-year warranty on this stoneware slow cooker. --Cristina Vaamonde
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