Stewed meat is one of our traditional Chinese cooking methods, and its recipes are rich and varied, and the taste is delicious. And stew, a home-cooked delicacy, can sometimes bring people a full taste of home.
For example, classic braised pork, sauerkraut stewed pork belly, tomato and potato stewed beef brisket, etc., are all mouth-watering dishes, the soup is rich and mellow, and the meat is soft and glutinous.
But did you know that most of the flavor of stew comes from those humble spices. Today, let's explore the "4 types" of spices that are indispensable for stewed meat, and the secret to making your stewed meat more fragrant!
1. Cinnamon and star anise
When it comes to cinnamon and star anise, everyone should be familiar with them, especially for those who like to cook, they are more familiar with these two spices.
Among the many spices of stew, cinnamon and star anise can be said to be the well-deserved "protagonists". They have a unique aroma that blends well with the meat.
Set a rich tone for the whole dish. Whether it's pork, lamb or beef, the addition of cinnamon and star anise makes it more mellow.
Cinnamon has a unique aroma and is generally used in fishy ingredients to help remove fishiness, while star anise, as its name suggests, has eight small horns in its shape, and its own flavor can neutralize the smell of meat.
It is generally used for meat processing, five-spice powder as the main ingredient, and is often paired with cinnamon. During the stewing process, these spices are able to penetrate into the meat, making the whole dish more delicious and full of flavor.
It is important to note that when using these spices, moderate amounts are sufficient, and excessive amounts may mask the original flavor of the meat. Different stew practices and taste preferences can also affect the type and amount of spices used.
2. Xiao Xiao Xiang
Cumin, the name may be a little unfamiliar to many people, but its effect when it comes to stewed meat is not to be underestimated.
It has a unique aroma that neutralizes the oiliness of the meat, giving the stew a fat but not greasy feel.
Especially for some meats with high fat content, cumin is a spice that can play a better role in removing oil and enhancing flavor. It is often used in the stewing of beef and mutton, which can effectively remove the smell and increase the flavor.
How to put cumin in stew:
1. Cumin is small in shape and yellow-green in color, and can usually be put according to the amount of stew. When the meat is almost cooked, it is added directly to the ingredients of the stew.
During the stew process, the aroma of cumin is gradually released, making the dish more delicious and full of aroma.
2. Cumin can also be ground into a powder and then sprinkled on the meat or mixed into seasonings. This disperses the flavor of the cumin more evenly, allowing it to be better integrated into the overall dish.
3. Cumin can also be used with other spices such as star anise, cinnamon, etc., to produce a more unique aroma and smoothly enhance the taste of the whole stew.
3. Grass fruit
The spicy flavor of grass and fruit is heavy, and the main role is to increase the fragrance and remove the smell. Usually, adding some grass fruits to the pot during the stew can significantly improve the texture of the meat and make it more tender.
If you're looking for a stew that's both delicious and healthy, it's a good idea to add the right amount of grass and fruit.
Because the magic of grass fruit is that it can promote the oil breakdown process in the stew, making the meat more tender.
In addition, the use of fragrant fruit can also inject a unique layer into the stew, making the taste more varied. Therefore, grass fruit not only enhances the taste, but also has the function of helping to enhance the flavor of food.
Therefore, when cooking, you should never underestimate these seemingly tiny grass fruits, which may make every stew full of surprises.
When stewing meat, if you want to achieve a fragrant effect, these "3" spices - cinnamon and star anise, cumin and grass fruit can be described as "trump card support".
No matter what kind of meat you stew, as long as you master the combination and use skills of these spices, I believe your stew skills will be able to go to the next level!
Save it up and try these tips on your next stew and let your family and friends praise your cooking!
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