Minced beef is simply ground beef. It is used in the preparation of delicacies like fried rice, salad, and meat pie. This meat is sold in cold rooms and big supermarkets in the country; for a long time, I got my minced beef supply from either of these places. Then, one day, I accidentally discovered that I could make it at home. There and then, I kissed the store variety goodbye.
You see, my brother was to visit on the day I made this discovery. He loves minced beef and specially requested that I make fried rice for him with it. Of course, I agreed. He was to visit on a Sunday. So, after meeting at the church on Saturday, I went to Market Square to buy what I needed. I didn’t write a list because I didn’t feel I needed one. I gathered my ingredients but as I walked to the counter to pay, I couldn’t help but think that there was something I was forgetting. I tried to remember what it was but I couldn’t. So, I paid for my supplies and took them home.
Sunday came, and after Mass, food preparation started. I had just finished frying chicken when I suddenly realized that minced meat was the forgotten ingredient. Needless to say, I was pissed with myself. But I didn’t have the strength to go in search of it. So, I decided to cook the food without it. Fortunately, as I opened the freezer to bring out some pepper, my eyes fell on the packs of beef stored therein. At once, the wheels in my head started turning. I reached into the freezer and brought out a pack of beef and decided to do a little experiment.
The result of that experiment was the tastiest minced beef ever and the icing on the cake for me was the fact that I got to choose the parts of beef that I wanted, thereby controlling the quantity of fat in my minced beef. Now, I can tell you for free that ever since I discovered that I could grind beef at home, my minced beef game stepped up as a result.
Ingredient and Tools
Beef
Blender
Chopping board
Knife
How to Prepare
My beef had been in the freezer for a week so my first step was to let it defrost. I used the microwave for this. Let me mention at this point that if your meat is still fresh, as in, it has not visited the freezer, this step is not for you. Having said that, when I checked my beef and I noticed it had gone from frozen solid to slightly frozen, I took it out of the microwave.
Now, pay attention. Wash and rinse the chopping instruments- the chopping board and the knife. Then, place the beef on it and cut them into small cubes for easy blending. Afterward, put some cubes of beef in a strong blender or food processor and blend, process, or pulse till you have finely or coarsely ground beef. Transfer the ground beef to a clean bowl and put the remaining cubed beef into the blender or food processor and blend or process the rest.
That’s it, your minced beef is ready. You can either use it immediately or freeze till you need to use it.
Finally, wash the equipment used thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Featured Image Source: The Express Tribune
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This article was first published on 25th November 2020
udevi-obiamaka-angela
Udevi, Obiamaka Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in History & International Studies. She's a freelance writer with a passion for food and healthy living. She can be contacted through her email address, obiudevi@yahoo.com
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