Beef is known for its lean, fatty and tendon meat and can be processed into many diverse dishes. However, to choose a delicious piece of beef stew to ensure quality, you need to master some of the following secrets.
Color of meat
This is one of the basic tips to help housewives recognize the freshness of beef stew. A delicious piece of fresh beef will be bright red. The fat of the meat is white or slightly light yellow. If the fat is dark yellow and the meat is loose, it is very likely that this is the meat of an old cow, which will be very chewy when cooking.
Therefore, you should not choose meat pieces with strange colors, green spots, black or oiliness, which will be old and mushy beef.
Check meat elasticity
Elasticity is one of the most important signs of freshness of beef. Use your fingers to lightly press the surface of the meat, if there are cones on the meat and quickly return to the original state, it will prove that the meat is still fresh and elastic. Conversely, if the hook had remained, the meat could have been left for a long time without its deliciousness.
Small and smooth meat balls
The delicious beef stew usually has small and smooth stems so that when viewed clearly, the separation between lean and fat can be seen. Avoid choosing pieces with large and hard pieces of meat. When touching the piece of meat, the surface must be dry, not wet or sticky. A piece of meat that feels slightly tight on the surface but is still soft inside will be a delicious piece of meat to prepare the dish.
Scental sensation
Fresh beef will have a fragrant smell, although slightly annoying, but completely natural and pleasant. If you smell any smell, sour smell or any other strange smell, it is a sign that the meat has begun to decompose and should not be bought to ensure the health of the family.
Another experience to note is whether to check whether the beef is water-pumped or not. In particular, this type of meat often has a very moist, shiny surface. When pressed, the meat feels soft and may leak water. Especially when sliced, the meat pieces are often less firm.
Choosing to choose water-pumped beef will significantly reduce the quality and flavor of the dish as well as affect the health of the user.