Pork brains: the benefits, harm and ways of cooking
Pork brains are considered a delicacy, characterized by a delicate flavor.Many people are repelled by the appearance of this product, while it has many useful properties. It is not necessary to prepare dishes from the pig's brain every day, but they can be used as a variety.
Benefit and harm
Pork brains cannot be called a dietary product, since they contain cholesterol harmful to the human body. But in 100 grams of raw delicacy only 119 kcal, which allows it to be eaten without consequences for the figure.
Roasted pork brains contain animal protein that a person needs to build muscles and bones. Their presence in the body allows you to maintain the immune system and promote the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
This by-product is rich in iron, phosphorus, potassium and sodium, which has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, blood pressure and brain activity. In addition, pork brains contain vitamin B2 and B1, which are involved in the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy, contributing to their breakdown, and also maintain muscle tone in the digestive system.
Nicotinic acid and tocopherol are also present in pigs' brains, allowing to improve cellular respiration and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. With their help, you can protect the body from the influence of toxic substances, and prevent the formation of anemia.
Nevertheless, this product can harm people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and obesity, as it contains a large amount of cholesterol. In addition, it should be used with caution in gout and atherosclerosis.
Selection and storage rules
Pig's brain is used for cooking boiled, fried and baked dishes. Often, sausages or pate are made from it. But before you start cooking this by-product, you should pay particular attention to his choice. So, a quality product should have a holistic shell and a smooth pink tint. In addition, there should be a soft pleasant smell without any sour notes.
Store pork brains can be chilled, but not more than two days. If they are stored in the freezer, you should eat them no later than in 3-4 months. To preserve the taste and beneficial properties of the delicacy is best prepared immediately after purchase.
How to cook?
Before you start cooking or frying pork brains, you need to prepare them. If they were stored in the freezer, then in no case should they be subjected to rapid defrosting in a microwave oven. It is best to place the product in the refrigerator, where it will within a few hours acquire a comfortable temperature.
Before cooking, the delicacy must be cleaned of blood clots and film. To do this, it must be soaked in milk or water. Thus, you can soften the product and make it more gentle, which will speed up the cooking process.
Boil pork brains preferably whole, as the separation of the raw product will lead to its destruction. For full readiness, just 20 minutes is enough. Before you start to roast the brain, they need to sprinkle with lemon juice.
Popular Recipes
Let's look at a few recipes that recommend chefs.
Fried pork brains
To prepare the dish you will need the following ingredients:
- 500 g of offal;
- 120 g of flour;
- sunflower oil;
- salt;
- pepper.
First, the brain is washed under running water, then starting from the middle, the film is removed from them. The cleaned product is salted and peppered, rolled in flour and spread on a heated pan, pre-oiled with vegetable oil. Roast brains need for 10-15 minutes. For even roasting, they must be turned over periodically.
Pate in a multivariate
To prepare the dish you will need the following ingredients:
- 500 g of offal;
- 150 g onions;
- vegetable oil;
- salt;
- Bay leaf;
- pepper.
Washed and cleaned brains spread multicookers in a bowl. Then they are mixed with 100 grams of chopped onion, pepper and bay leaf.The contents of the bowl are doused with boiling water, salt, and set to boil in a slow cooker for 35-40 minutes.
After the time, the excess water is decanted, and the brain is cooled. The remaining onions are cut into cubes and fry in vegetable oil until golden. To get a tasty pate, it remains only to grind the finished by-product and fried onions with a blender.
Light salad
To prepare the salad will need the following ingredients:
- 500 g of brains;
- 2 bay leaves;
- 50 g of mayonnaise;
- 2 eggs;
- 1 onion;
- 1 fresh cucumber;
- 20 g sweet mustard;
- salt, pepper to taste.
Pork brains are cleaned of black film, put them in a saucepan, add bay leaf, and cook for 20 minutes. After the time, the water is drained, and the cooled brains are cut into small pieces and mixed with chopped boiled eggs, onions and cucumber. Salad is salted, peppered, and seasoned with mayonnaise and mustard.
To learn how to make delicious pork brain patties, see the next video.