Beef brains are quite a rare dish. Meanwhile, they are not only tasty, but also useful, as they contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and iron. These elements contribute to the improvement of the cardiovascular and immune systems. And vitamins B1, B2, E and PP normalize cerebral circulation and the functions of the nervous system. Cooking beef brains takes a little time, but it should be borne in mind that the product requires mandatory preliminary preparation.
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Beef brains in batter
Ingredients: - beef brains - 500 g; - table vinegar 9% - 4 tablespoons; - onion - 1 pc.; - bay leaf - 2-3 pieces; - lemon juice - 1 tbsp. l.; - fresh herbs - 1 tbsp. l.; - salt to taste; - vegetable oil for frying - 0.5 l.
When buying brains, pay attention to the shell - it must be intact, there should not be a lot of blood on it. High-quality beef brains are distinguished by a fairly dense texture and lack of smell.
For batter: - premium flour - 4 tbsp. l.; - chicken egg - 4 pcs.; - butter - 2 tbsp. l.; - milk - 1/2 cup; - sugar - 1 tsp; - salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Food preparation
Carefully remove the thin film from the brains and soak for an hour and a half in cold water to which vinegar is added. Replace water with fresh water 4-5 times. Put a pot of water on the fire, to which salt, peeled and finely chopped onion, bay leaf and lemon juice are added. Put the brains in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
In the meantime, prepare the batter. Rub softened butter with egg yolks. Beat the whites with a whisk in a strong foam. Using a blender, mix flour, milk, sugar, yolks, salt and pepper. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter and mix gently.
Cooking
Remove the boiled brains from the pan on paper napkins, dry them and cut into small pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan or deep skillet over high heat, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Take pieces of beef brains with a fork, dip them in batter and send them to hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, then put on a wide dish lined with a paper towel (the paper will absorb excess oil).
If you come across such a delicacy as beef brains, you urgently need to cook it. In addition to the fact that they are very useful, with proper heat treatment, this product turns out to be incredibly tasty. By the way, in the old days only aristocrats ate them. Why are we worse? Let's figure out how to cook beef brains.
Looking for the right culinary approach
First of all, beef brains need to be properly prepared. What is meant? It's simple:
- First, soak the product in cold water for at least 2 hours. In this case, every half hour the water must be changed. This will help us get rid of blood clots.
- Now we remove the film from the brains. If blood clots remain, put the product in warm water, but not in boiling water.
- Attention: beef brains are quite capricious, so they need to be cooked immediately after being cleaned.
As for the method of cooking beef brains, there are many options here: they can be fried, boiled, stewed and baked. And then it all depends on your imagination. Some housewives serve brains as a meat dish with a side dish, others make salads based on them, and others add them to soups. In any case, beef brain dishes are very tender and incredibly tasty.
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Before proceeding to the practical part, let's remember a few secrets of the heat treatment of beef brains:
- It is better to boil the brains whole, and you need to cut them ready-made. It is desirable to cook such a product in chicken broth, since the brains themselves have a mild taste.
- When stewing or baking a delicacy, add as many vegetables as possible - this will bring new flavor notes to the dish.
- And if you decide to fry beef brains, you first need to bread them in batter.
- During the frying process, the product may lose its White color. To prevent this from happening, pre-lubricate the brains with lemon juice or vinegar or marinate in wine sauce.
- When adding beef brains to a salad, season the appetizer with sour cream or mayonnaise.
- French fries and mashed potatoes are an ideal side dish for such a delicacy.
That, in principle, is all: now you can go to the kitchen and master new culinary heights.
Have you ever tried fried beef brains? Many argue that their taste is very reminiscent of expensive fish fillets. As the saying goes, it's better to try once than hear 100 times. And our recipe will help you realize your plan. Determine the amount of ingredients based on how much of the main product you have.
Compound:
- beef brains;
- refined vegetable and butter oil;
- eggs;
- breadcrumbs for breading;
- salt;
- a blend of spices.
Cooking:
- Most often, we come across a frozen product. First, defrost the brains, and then soak them and clean them from the film, as described above.
- This is what a properly prepared delicacy looks like.
- Now we need to cut each hemisphere into two equal parts and sprinkle the brains with your favorite spices. Gently mix everything with your hands.
- We prepare dishes for batter. In one bowl, beat the eggs, and in the other, pour the breadcrumbs for breading. By the way, they can be replaced with sifted flour.
- Thoroughly roll the brains first in the egg, and then in the breadcrumbs.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a frying pan, and then combine it with butter.
- Put the beef brains into the pan. Fry the delicacy on both sides for about five minutes. The dish should be covered with an appetizing ruddy crust. The burner level should be medium.
- Our delicate delicacy is ready. Serve fried brains with your favorite side dish, such as bean salad with garlic cloves and nuts.
Beef delicacy baked with vegetables
How else can you cook beef brains? We offer a recipe for brains baked with vegetables. This dish is served to the table right in clay pots. Its aroma and unsurpassed taste will leave few people indifferent.
Compound:
- 1 kg of beef brains;
- sprigs of fresh parsley;
- 3-4 potatoes;
- 4-5 art. l. canned green peas;
- 150 g pumpkin;
- 3-4 garlic cloves;
- 2 onions;
- refined vegetable oil;
- ground black pepper;
- salt.
Cooking:
- We clean the onions and chop into cubes. Pass the onion until golden in vegetable oil.
- Let's make our dish more nutritious and vitamin with the help of pumpkin. Peel off the skin and cut into small cubes.
- Now we need to fill the pots with ingredients. Attention: each layer is lightly salted.
- At the bottom we spread the browned onion along with the oil in which it was fried.
- Grind the garlic cloves and send them to the pots.
- Then lay out the peas. By the way, it can be replaced with canned corn.
- The next layer is potatoes.
- We prepare beef brains in the way we already know and send them to vegetables. Salt and pepper.
- We bake our dish at a temperature threshold of 180 degrees for forty minutes.
- Then reduce the heat and simmer the pots in the oven for another 15 minutes. Ready!
We diversify the family menu with an Italian dish
Compound:
- 400 g coarse grain rice;
- 1 liter chicken broth;
- 50 g of beef brains;
- onion head;
- 100 g of Parmesan cheese;
- butter;
- 200 ml dry white wine;
- salt;
- saffron.
Cooking:
- We dilute saffron in a small amount of broth.
- Melt the butter in a brazier and spread the chopped onion and prepared beef brains. Fry on the middle level of the burner for about ten minutes.
- At the same time, fry the rice in butter in a pan for about five minutes.
- We spread the rice in the brazier to the brains and onions.
- Pour in the wine and simmer the dish until it is completely evaporated.
- Now add the broth and simmer until the rice is cooked. Attention: we add the broth gradually in small portions, and not all at once.
- It remains only to add saffron with broth, 30 g of butter and cheese, which must first be coarsely grated. Salt the risotto.
- We stir everything, remove the brazier from the heat and insist the dish under a closed lid for fifteen minutes.
In its raw form, this product does not cause appetite, but rather a feeling of disgust. The appearance of the brain is very specific, but the taste, according to reviews, is gentle and pleasant. Real gourmets prefer to use them both in pure form and with various side dishes. In our article, we will consider the benefits and harms, calorie content and composition of beef brains, and tell you how to choose and store them correctly. Well, to make sure of the excellent taste of this by-product, below we present best recipes its preparation.
Calorie content and nutritional value of the product
Beef brains are considered a delicacy. In cooking, they are valued for their delicate taste and high nutritional value. Since ancient times, beef brains were served at the festive table of the nobility, and today everyone can afford them. But before you start preparing them, you need to find out what their benefits and harms are.
Beef brains contain unsaturated fatty acids (3.2 g) and cholesterol (1950 mg). Due to the high fat content, this product can not be called dietary. It is not recommended to include it in your diet more than once a week. It is recommended to serve brains with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Vitamin and mineral composition
Like most offal, beef brains are very healthy. They have an almost complete set of vitamins, microelements and macroelements necessary for the body. This composition improves the condition of the skin and blood vessels, stabilizes the work of the heart. In addition to potassium and magnesium, the brain contains sodium, sulfur, iodine, iron and phosphorus. The last mineral satisfies the daily norm by more than 40%.
This offal contains a sufficient amount of useful vitamins: B1, B2, B4, D, E, PP. The high amount of the latter vitamin allows you to satisfy daily requirement in it by 29%.
The benefits and harms of beef brains are completely due to their composition. And even despite the high content of vitamins and minerals, this product should be consumed in a strictly limited amount, due to the incredible amount of cholesterol.
The benefits and harms of beef brains for the body
Meat by-products are a valuable source of protein and other substances necessary for the body, while they have practically no contraindications for use. And to be convinced of this, it is necessary to consider in more detail what benefits and harms beef bone marrow brings to the body. Let's start in order.
The benefits of beef brains are as follows:
- normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland;
- strengthen the heart muscle and stabilize the work of the cardiovascular system;
- stimulate cell growth, providing rejuvenation of the body;
- have an analgesic effect on the body with migraines;
- improve digestion;
- contribute to the acceleration of blood circulation;
- improve brain function;
- have a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
This by-product is indicated for people with heart failure, thyroid malfunctions and problems of the gastrointestinal tract.
However, as noted above, beef brains should not be consumed. in large numbers, as a delicacy. Otherwise, this product will only harm the body. The fact is that beef brains are poorly digested, oversaturated with cholesterol and, compared to meat, do not have enough high amounts of protein.
Contraindications for use
Despite the low calorie content, beef brains cannot be classified as dietary products. They are rich in heavy fats, which are not well absorbed by the body.
It is necessary to single out the category of consumers to whom the use of this by-product will bring not benefit, but harm. Beef brains should not be eaten by the elderly, as well as by persons with high level cholesterol in the blood, patients with gout, atherosclerosis, diathesis, and those with joint problems.
How to choose and store?
Beef brains are used all over the world to prepare various dishes. They are boiled, fried, baked in the oven. The offal does not require long-term heat treatment and is prepared quickly enough. And in order to really benefit from beef brains, and eliminate harm, you need to know how to choose and store this product correctly.
High-quality beef brains have a dense texture, without blood clots. Their shell should be intact, cream or light gray in color. The offal has no characteristic odor. Fresh brains are recommended to be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. To get exceptional benefits from the dish, they should be prepared immediately after purchase. IN freezer beef brains are stored for up to four months. To defrost before cooking, they should be transferred to the refrigerator for several hours.
Cooking features
Such a delicacy as beef brains is prepared quite quickly, literally within 15-20 minutes. But before heat treatment, they must be properly prepared: soak, clean and remove blood. It would be useful to find out what this product can bring benefits and harm to the body.
Features of cooking beef brains are as follows:
- Before cooking, the product should be carefully processed: soak in cold water for at least two hours, not forgetting to change it periodically, and then clean it from the bones and blood remaining after cutting.
- You need to cook the brains whole so that they do not fall apart, and after cooling, cut them into pieces of the desired size.
- Beef brains have a mild, even insipid taste. Boiling the offal in water will help to improve it. Carrots, celery root or parsley, aromatic spices (bay leaf, allspice and others) must be added to the water.
- To keep the fried brains white during the heat treatment, it is recommended to grease them with lemon juice or vinegar before cooking.
How to cook beef brains?
Regardless of the method of preparation of the by-product, the process of its preparation will always be the same:
- Peel the beef brains from the films and soak in water for 1 hour. After that, it must be drained and replaced with a clean one.
- Put the soaked brains in an enamel pan and pour water over it. Put here the root of celery or parsley, a whole head of onions, circles of carrots, peppercorns, salt, marjoram, bay leaf.
- Bring the water in a saucepan to a boil and cook the beef brains for another 25 minutes over low heat.
- Put the brains with a slotted spoon on a plate and cool.
To make the dish tasty, you must follow the recipe and the rules for preparing beef brains. The benefits and harms of offal largely depend on the method of heat treatment. So, for example, brains cooked in a fragrant broth will be more useful than those cooked in a pan in a large amount of oil. Accordingly, the calorie content of the last dish will be higher.
fried beef brain recipe
To prepare the next dish, it is necessary to process the offal, soak it, cook in broth for 15 minutes and cool on a plate. After that, the beef brains need to be fried, observing the following sequence of actions:
- Cut the cooled brains into small pieces, put them on a plate, salt and pepper to taste.
- Break the egg into a deep bowl, beat it with a fork and salt.
- Sprinkle some flour on another plate.
- Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat it up.
- Roll the prepared pieces alternately first in flour, and then in the egg, then put them in a pan and fry on both sides for 5 minutes.
Beef brains are a delicacy with a mild flavor. Those who try them for the first time can easily confuse brains with very delicate fish. In addition, this product has a huge amount useful properties, contains such trace elements as phosphorus, iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, iodine, magnesium, as well as vitamins B1, B2, E and PP. However, the dish will be appreciated only if it is properly cooked.
- For cooking, choose whole brains without blood smudges and damaged shells. The consistency of the product should be dense, and the smell should be practically absent.
Fried beef brains
Compound: brains - 500 g, wheat flour - 2 tbsp, ground crackers - 2 tbsp, butter - 2 tbsp, egg - 1 pc, salt - to taste.
1 way. Soak the brains in cold water for 2-3 hours, then drain the water, remove the film from the brains, rinse under running water and cut into slices. Dissolve 1 tsp in a liter of water. salt, dip the brains into the solution, then roll them in flour, then in the egg, then in breadcrumbs. Melt the butter in a frying pan and fry the brains on it on both sides.
2 way. Soak the brains in cold water for 2-3 hours, then drain the water, remove the film from the brains, rinse under running water. Boil the prepared brains in salted water. Then put them in a colander and let the water drain. After that, cut the brains into slices, roll them in flour, egg, breadcrumbs and fry in butter on both sides.
3 way. Soak the brains in cold water for 2-3 hours, then drain the water, remove the film from the brains, rinse under running water. Put the brains in a saucepan, fill with water so that it covers them, add 1-2 tbsp. vinegar, salt to taste, a couple of bay leaves, 5-6 black peppercorns. After the water boils, reduce the heat and simmer the brains for half an hour. Then cool them without removing them from the broth, then remove them from the pan, dry them, cut each half in half, salt, pepper, roll in flour and fry in butter on all sides. When serving, sprinkle the brains with lemon juice, fly with oil and sprinkle with chopped herbs.
Baked beef brains
Compound: brains - 1 pc, 5 eggs, dill, vinegar, salt, ground black pepper, black peppercorns, nutmeg, breadcrumbs - 150 g, 1.5 tbsp. butter, cheese - 100 g.
Cooking method: boil the brains in salted water with vinegar for 15-20 minutes, then cool them, rub through a sieve, mix with egg yolks, ground black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, salt to taste, add chopped dill, 1 tbsp. butter and mix thoroughly. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and gently fold them into the prepared brains. Lubricate the baking dish with butter, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, put the finished mass into it, sprinkle with breadcrumbs mixed with grated cheese on a fine grater. Bake the brains in an oven preheated to 220-230 degrees until golden brown.
Boiled beef brains
Compound: 750 g of brains, 100 g of oil, 1.5 tbsp. flour, 2 onions, 200 ml sour cream, 500 ml meat broth, a pinch of ground red pepper, 1 tbsp. vinegar, salt and black ground pepper - to taste.
Cooking method: soak the brains in cold water for 2-3 hours, then drain the water, remove the film from the brains, rinse under running water. Boil them in salted water with 1 tbsp. vinegar, then drain in a colander and let the water drain. Spasser chopped onion in butter, add red pepper, meat broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, salt, pepper, add flour mixed with butter, cook for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cut the brains into pieces, put in a saucepan, pour over the prepared sauce, add sour cream, boil for another 5 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.
I don’t know how delicious it is, but it looks eerily simple
Oooh, I have other feelings - I remember how in the 90s, when you didn’t really have to choose what to eat, my mother cooked fried beef brains. What a delicious treat this is! Tender, delicious. Saved the recipe and will definitely be making it! Which is what I advise you!)
I wouldn't cook myself. but I'm happy to try it!
no, it's definitely not for me,
brrr, already it became bad from the picture))))
print it out and put it on the fridge to lose weight
I now have an aversion to meat even more intensified
fu don't talk. well, I don’t have meat, I’m a meat eater, but for offal for sure
I remembered a movie about Indiana Jones, where a delicacy - monkey brains were served.
Who knows, probably delicious. Never ate. Many kidneys, for example, eat. And I'm so sick of just one look that I'd rather eat this.
fuuu. I don't eat either kidneys or brains or stomachs either. beeeeeeeeeee
which the kidneys and stomachs if properly cooked delicious.
oh, that picture reminded me of that movie too
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, I would not even take them and did not undertake to cook.
yeah, the title is disgusting
oh no, never tried them.
I have the same feeling when I see this product, brrrrr
what can be cooked from beef brains
Beef brains cooking recipe
Fried beef brains are an underestimated delicacy by many home cooks, perhaps due to some kind of prejudice or visual rejection. And in vain, very useful product and also delicious.
An offal of the 1st category of the most delicate structural consistency, which has such a taste uncertainty that when you eat it, closing your eyes, you begin to imagine what this taste is like, in fact. I would say that it resembles an expensive fish fillet, but without its fibrous, fishy taste and smell, cooked with sophistication. In general, it is difficult to describe, you just need to try.
How do I cook beef brains? Cooking beef brains does not take much time or money.
Products:
- beef brain,
- spices and salt
- eggs and breadcrumbs for batter,
- vegetable oil and butter for frying.
Never (before frying brains) do I boil them. For what? It's like fried fish steaks in batter. Nonsense.
Of course, it's great if they are the freshest, but, alas, it is not always possible to purchase them this way. So today I will cook freshly frozen beef brains.
Defrost, put in a bowl with clean water and carefully remove the film.
brains need to be thawed and the film removed from them
I immediately take it out of the water so that the brains do not spread and lose their shape, and such a possibility exists, because the brain substance, so to speak, is a very delicate substance. In no case do I scald them with boiling water, then it will be difficult to remove the film, it will come off with the meat.
prepared brains
I cut each hemisphere in half, I also cut the middle part into two parts. Sprinkle with spices and gently mix with your fingers. Take spices to your taste. I use ready made seasoning.
I sprinkle the cut brains with spices
I dip each piece in a beaten egg, then roll in flour or breadcrumbs.
roll in egg and breadcrumbs
I heat the vegetable oil, add butter to it and put the blanks in the pan.
fry in a mixture of vegetable oil and butter
I fry them on each side for 5 minutes until a beautiful golden crust appears. The roasting process takes place on a medium fire.
Fried beef brains are ready. You can cook any side dish with them.
fried beef brains served with garnish
I made a spicy red bean salad with nuts and garlic. I love this flavor combination. And fuck home cooking, of course, will also be in place. Delicious!!!
how to cook beef brains
