Braised beef cheeks have become a popular dish among food enthusiasts due to its rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Hailing from various cuisines around the world, these cheeks come from the muscles of a cow's face, renowned for their robust flavor profile. This cut of beef demands slow cooking methods such as braising, bringing out its natural tenderness while infusing it with aromatic herbs, spices, and liquids. The cooking process offers endless possibilities for customization, allowing home cooks and chefs alike to explore different flavors and techniques in creating mouthwatering dishes.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
BRAISED BEEF CHEEKS
This has been a hit with everyone that has tried it.
Provided by Robert Smith
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 5h50m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef in batches and cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Add onion and carrot; cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Pour beef stock and wine into the Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Stir in porcini mushrooms, bouillon cubes, thyme, and bay leaves. Lay a piece of parchment paper over the surface. Cover with a tight lid.
- Bake in the preheated oven until beef is very tender, 5 to 6 hours.
- Transfer beef to a plate. Discard bay leaves. Blend cooking liquid with an immersion blender to make a smooth sauce. Serve beef with sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 684.8 calories, Carbohydrate 6.3 g, Cholesterol 160 mg, Fat 53.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 39.1 g, SaturatedFat 20.5 g, Sodium 365.9 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
BRAISED BEEF CHEEKS
When braised, these beef cheeks become meltingly tender, with a rich, deep flavor. You may want to check with your butcher when planning this dish, since it's often necessary to order beef cheeks ahead of time. At Uno e Bino, Cesanese wine is used in the braising liquid, but it's difficult to find in the United States. A dry Lambrusco or Chianti makes a good substitute.
Categories Beef Tomato Appetizer Braise Red Wine Gourmet
Yield Makes 4 main-course servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in an ovenproof 6-quart wide heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. While oil is heating, pat beef cheeks dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown beef, without crowding, on all sides, about 20 minutes total, and transfer with tongs to a bowl. Pour off fat from pot, then add remaining 2 tablespoons oil and cook onion, carrot, and celery over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Stir cocoa powder into vegetable mixture, then add wine and scrape up any brown bits. Increase heat to high and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
- Return cheeks (with any juices) to pot and add tomatoes with juice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then braise, covered, in middle of oven until very tender, about 3 hours.
BRAISED BEEF CHEEKS WITH CELERY ROOT AND POLENTA
Steps:
- Brush 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish with olive oil. Bring 2½ cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add ½ tsp salt. Gradually whisk in cornmeal. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Pour cornmeal mixture into prepared dish; spread evenly with spatula. Cool. Cover polenta with plastic wrap; chill until cold, at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat ¼ cup oil in heavy large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Add to pot; cook until brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer beef to plate. Add carrots and next 3 ingredients to pot. Sauté until light golden, about 6 minutes. Add wine, tomato sauce, and rosemary. Bring to boil. Return beef to pot, stirring to coat. Cover; transfer to oven. Cook until meat is very tender when pierced with fork, about 2 hours. Transfer beef to large shallow bowl; tent with foil. Cut polenta into 1-inch cubes. Add polenta to vegetables and stir over medium heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Spoon sauce, vegetables, and polenta over beef.
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of beef. Beef cheeks are a tough cut of meat, so they need to be cooked slowly and gently in order to become tender. Other suitable cuts include chuck roast, short ribs, and brisket.
- Sear the beef before braising. Searing the beef helps to develop flavor and color. It also helps to seal in the juices, so the beef will be more tender.
- Use a good quality braising liquid. The braising liquid is what will flavor the beef, so it's important to use a liquid that you like the taste of. Some good options include red wine, beef broth, or a combination of both.
- Cook the beef low and slow. The best way to braise beef is to cook it low and slow. This allows the collagen in the meat to break down, making it tender and fall-apart.
- Let the beef rest before serving. Once the beef is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender.
Conclusion:
Braised beef cheeks are a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a special occasion. By following these tips, you can make sure that your braised beef cheeks turn out perfectly tender and flavorful.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love