Mototour_small
Reputation: 550

How do I learn to like organ meats?

The nutritional density and economic value of organ meats are tempting me to try some recipes from James Beard and Sally Fallon, yet I tried beef liver in a balsamic vinegar marinade and couldn't manage more than five bites. What organ meats (and their preparations) should a novice try to venture further into traditional diets?

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Avatar_default
Type your answer here…

Asker's Favorite

  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 79
    Business

    HI Christina,

    My first thought is in the form of another question. Should we try and teach ourselves to like a particular food? I know that may not to be root for your question, but the thought came to mind. ( I am not crazy about tripe myself) That said, I believe that texture, the idea of what the function of these parts are and the more unfamiliar and "fresh" flavors of these parts play a roll in our taste buds enjoying something or not. "Liking" something or not when it comes to a particular food begins with our eyes, then our brain and lastly our buds. I am sure you have enjoyed pate that of course often contain organ meats. The texture and flavor are somewhat masked by all the spices and fat. Not cheap, because of the labor involved if someone else made it for you, and not that healthy because of the fat. You challenged your self quite a bit by attempting beef liver. I soak liver and most organ meats in milk overnight. This will draw out impurities and tone down the game-like flavor that you may not be used to. One thing about liver. If its not crispy on the outside, I don't care for it either. Non crispy... tastes, feels...well, like liver. A classic sauce for liver, is a mustard and shallot cream sauce (don't forget the sauteed onions piled on top) pan seared with a nice crispy out side. (I am not sure if it was the texture or flavor that bothered you most) All these delicious components, make for a nice tasty dish. That's liver. For the other organ meats, if you want to acquire a taste for gizzards, heart, kidney etc...these start off a little more dense than liver. Let me suggest that you slice or dice the organs on the small side small, sautee in garlic, shallots rosemary, fresh thyme. Sear crispy, splash a little wine in that pan, swirl in a little mustard and splash of vinegar. Season with S&P and toss on to some heart greens such as frisee, add a poached egg and you may learn to like it.

    Share this answer with a friend:

8 Other Answers

  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 9

    Lamb hearts lamb hearts lamb hearts. One of my favorite offal cuts. Used in stews you won't even notice the difference from more expensive cuts, but they are also great in couscous etc. A really approachable offal. Also, get the St. Johns cookbooks (Nose to Tail and Beyond Nose to Tail) and/or the River Cottage Meat book. Both have great offal recipes.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Pd_small
    Reputation: 1130

    Chopped liver is some kinda heaven.

    Saute an onion until it's soft and then add a bunch of chicken livers. When the liver is cooked through you can either literally chop it until it's a nice paste, or toss into a cuisinart.

    Add salt, pepper, a bit of mayonnaise, and if you feel it, some chopped hard-boiled egg. Oh sweet country Jesus, is it ever good.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • N510833790_3563_small
    Reputation: 387

    Try confiting chicken hearts or gizzards. Very little organ flavor to them. Chicken liver pates and mousses are also a good place to start.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Pig_small
    Reputation: 7
    Business

    I suggest you try recipes made primarily of meat and fat, with a tiny amount of organs. E.g. liver sausage composed mostly of meat and fat.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Tofu_oyako_small
    Reputation: 345

    I agree about using heart and would also add tongue. They are very lean meats and aren't as extreme texturally (in my opinion) and are a bit more forgiving when cooking and still turning out delicious. The 'Nose to Tail' and 'Cottage River Meat Book' that lonelocust mentioned are great resources for offal.

    I'd also suggest being offal adventurous when you go out to eat; offal cuts are appearing more and more in restaurants and you can start to get a better understanding of what these cuts can be like and things you might try out at home. I know it goes a bit against the economic argument, but even just one amazing experience out with some tasty sweetbreads/tripe/heart/liver/etc can really boost your motivation for your own cooking attempts.

    when they have them, sweetbreads (@Cafe Juanita) and tripe (@Spinasse) are two of my favorites...

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • 211448_559967205_6715099_n_small
    Reputation: 79

    There is much to love about organ meats. It also doesn't have to be an overly difficult preparation. Key to beef liver is to not overcook. It cooks quickly. My family loves it simply. I heat up a heavy skillet to medium heat, add some olive oil (also healthy), toss in the liver slices (dashed with just salt & pepper) and let them brown. While I'm doing that, I'll saute some onions, then pour over the liver slices. My kids like to add potatoes and maybe some corn.

    Oxtail is awesome in stew. You can also slow cook it until the meat falls off the bone. Use the meat as shredded beef in a multitude of dishes. Use the stock for gravies etc...

    Tongue is fabulous smoked. Love it. Tongue is fatty. You can also peel the skin, slice it real thin & sear it in a heavy skillet & eat. Nothing fancy. The fat in the tongue is extremely rich. Another easy option for tongue is to slow cook it for several hours (8-10)in a crock pot. Then peel the outer skin. The meat will shred and can be used in fajitas, salad toppers, bbq sandwiches, etc.. or add to soup. Lots of options.

    I'm not a fan of kidneys but we have several customers that love these.

    Mountain oysters are delectable fried.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Spiders_1a_small
    Reputation: 73

    I strongly recommend the Japanese kushiyaki treatment for organs. My favorite stuff on skewers: heart, chicken gizzard, and beef tongue. And the best part is that it's cheaper than the conventional cuts.
    Also, have you ever had pho with tripe? It's got a nice texture and blends in with the noodles.
    I don't love liver either, but as a spread on bread or in banh mi it's pretty decent.

    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Bierce1_small
    Reputation: 640

    How are you with giblet gravy?

    Share this answer with a friend: