The snow is falling and you’re cozied up under a blanket inside… and then your stomach growls with hunger. If you’re bored of your same old beef recipes, read on for some cooking methods and recipes that will leave you with the hearty, full-flavored recipes that are perfect for these cold winter months.
Marinade It
Using a beef marinade is a great way to add flavor and increase tenderness. Marinades contain acids which break down the proteins in the outer layer of the meat, making the meat soft and flavorful.
A few marinading tips:
- don’t overdo it! Smaller cuts of meat only need a few hours; larger cuts can be left overnight. Marinading for too long can ultimately make the meat spongy (ew).
- marinade first in the fridge and then let the meat and marinade sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before you start cooking. This will ensure the marinade is properly absorbed without giving bacteria a chance to grow.
Looking for a new winter marinade? Try adding a dry red wine to your next marinade. You can even save some of the marinade and boil it down to a syrup for dipping!
Try A Dry Rub
If you have the courage to step outside to the BBQ this winter, grilling steaks with a dry rub on them will create a crisp crust that is full of flavor. Lightly scoring the beef will allow the rub a chance to penetrate the meat. How long you let the rub sit on the meat before cooking will depend on the thickness of the meat and the strength of the rub.
For a dry rub that will leave you feeling warm inside, try a mixture of thyme, basil, cumin and curry powder.
Braising
There’s nothing better than coming home at the end of the day to the smell of a beef pot roast that has been simmering in a slow cooker all day. Braising is a method cooking that involves searing the meat, and then cooking it in liquid low and slow. Tougher cuts of beef are best for braising, as the high collagen content will break down and tenderize the meat.
Looking for a switch to the traditional pot roast recipe? Try a combination of cocoa, cloves, cinnamon and stone fruits. Not only does it taste great – but your house will smell amazing!
Buy Local, Alberta Beef
Get the best beef available from the best local farmers at D’Arcy’s Meat Market. Give us a call or stop by our shop to pick up some beef for your next meal.