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11.1: Moist Heat Methods Introduction

  • Page ID
    43500
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    Before You Come to Lab

    Name: _________________________________

    Watch the “Moist Heat Cooking—Braising and Stewing” video on Canvas. Describe the process for braising and stewing and explain the difference between the two.

    • Braising:
    • Stewing:
    • Difference between methods:
    • Compare moist heat methods to dry heat methods. Which takes more time?

    Moist Heat Methods for Less Tender Cuts of Meat

    Moist heat methods are used for less tender cuts of meat. Less tender cuts need to be cooked by moist heat methods because less tender cuts of meat have:

    • Larger muscle fibers
    • Less fat or marbling
    • More heavily used muscles and connective tissues

    Connective tissues in less tender cuts of meat:

    • Collagen: Connective tissue that is softened with heat and moisture, breaks down into gelatin
    • Elastin: Connective tissue that does not break down with heat or moisture, referred to as gristle or “chewing the fat,” tends to be cut off and discarded.

    Three common ways to tenderize meat before cooking:

    • Physical: grinding, swiss iron, mechanical tenderizer
    • Chemical: marinade
    • Enzyme: bromelain and papain

    Wholesale and Retail Cuts Used in Lab

    Wholesale Cut Retail Cut Raw Meat Observations
    Pork Boston Shoulder Blade Steak  
    Lamb Shoulder Arm Chop  
    Beef Chuck Stew Meat  
    Beef Chuck Blade Steak  
    Beef Flank Flank Steak  
    Beef Round Round steak  

    This page titled 11.1: Moist Heat Methods Introduction is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Erica Beirman and Kate Gilbert (Iowa State University Digital Press) .

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