Beef

Mustard-Glazed Picanha Roast with Crispy Potatoes

Mustard-Glazed Picanha Roast with Crispy Potatoes What is the best way to season the picanha for maximum flavor? The picanha should first be scored on the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern, which allows seasonings and heat to penetrate evenly while rendering the fat. Salt is the primary seasoning, applied generously over the entire roast, and it can be left to rest overnight in the refrigerator to enhance flavor and tenderize the meat. Adding a glaze such as a date-mustard paste provides both sweetness and tang, complementing the beef’s natural richness. Additional spices like black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic … Read more

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Cheesy Birriamen

Cheesy Birriamen What cut of beef is best for making birriamen? Chuck roast is the preferred cut because it has a good balance of fat and connective tissue, which breaks down during slow cooking to create tender, flavorful meat. Chuck roast holds up well to the long braising process required for birria, absorbing the rich spices and chiles while releasing collagen that thickens the broth slightly. Other cuts like brisket or short ribs can also work, but they may require adjustments in cooking time. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin or round, as they can dry out and lack the gelatinous … Read more

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Braised Beef with Mushrooms

Braised Beef with Mushrooms What cut of beef is best for making braised beef with mushrooms? the ideal cut is a chuck roast, sometimes called chuck shoulder or blade roast in North America. This cut comes from the shoulder area of the cow and contains both connective tissue and intramuscular fat, which makes it perfect for long, slow cooking. During braising, the collagen in the connective tissue melts into gelatin, giving the sauce a rich texture and keeping the meat tender and flavorful. Other suitable cuts include brisket, short ribs, or bottom round, but they may require slightly longer cooking … Read more

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Steamed Beef Soup Dumplings

Soups

Steamed Beef Soup Dumplings What type of meat is best for beef soup dumplings? The ideal meat is finely ground beef with a moderate fat content, around 15–20 percent. This balance of fat and lean ensures the filling stays juicy while providing a rich flavor that complements the gelatinous broth cubes. Very lean beef can result in dry dumplings, while excessively fatty beef may make the filling greasy and difficult to seal in the dough. Combining the beef with finely chopped aromatics, like green onions and shallots, and seasoning with soy sauce and ginger enhances the umami profile. Always choose … Read more

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Middle Eastern Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Middle Eastern Meatballs in Tomato Sauce What type of beef works best for Middle Eastern meatballs? Ground beef with moderate fat content is essential for both texture and flavor. Cuts such as rib or chuck are ideal because they typically contain around 15 to 20 percent fat, which keeps the meatballs juicy during browning and simmering. Leaner beef can result in dry, crumbly meatballs, especially when cooked for extended periods in sauce. The fat melts gradually and enriches the tomato sauce, creating a cohesive dish rather than separate components. Grinding the meat medium-fine also helps maintain tenderness. Very coarse grinds … Read more

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Beer-Braised Birria Tacos With Chuck Roast

Beer-Braised Birria Tacos With Chuck Roast What makes birria tacos with chuck roast different from regular beef tacos? Birria tacos with chuck roast differ from standard beef tacos primarily in technique, texture, and depth of flavor. Unlike quick-cooked taco fillings, chuck roast is a tough, collagen-rich cut that benefits from long, slow braising. During this process, connective tissue breaks down into gelatin, creating meat that is deeply tender and flavorful. The beef is cooked in a seasoned liquid that later becomes consommé, which is used both for dipping and for coating tortillas before frying. Another key distinction is the final … Read more

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Libyan-Style Beef Stuffed Potatoes (Mafrum)

Libyan-Style Beef Stuffed Potatoes (Mafrum) What type of potatoes work best for making this recipe? Waxy to medium-starch potatoes such as Yukon Gold or gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape during frying and simmering without falling apart. Their flesh is dense yet tender, allowing the potato slices to remain intact while being stuffed, fried, and braised. Russet potatoes, which are higher in starch, tend to absorb more liquid and can break down during the long simmer, making them less suitable for beef stuffed potatoes that require structural integrity. Uniform size is also important, as evenly sized potatoes … Read more

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Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Sweet Potatoes

Main Courses, Holidays

Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Sweet Potatoes What is the best cut of beef for slow cooked short ribs? The ideal cut is the bone-in beef short rib itself, which comes from the plate or chuck section of the cow. These ribs have a generous amount of connective tissue and marbling, which break down during long, low-temperature cooking to produce rich, tender meat. Boneless short ribs can also be used but may lack some depth of flavor provided by the bones. When selecting, look for uniform thickness and well-marbled pieces to ensure consistent cooking. Avoid ribs that are overly lean … Read more

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