When going to the market, most people usually focus on buying different types of meat such as pork belly, beef, or pork butt. Additionally, they also have a special preference for pork ribs.
However, on the pig’s body, there is a small piece of meat that weighs only about 200g. It is noteworthy that this small piece is one of the most delicious parts of pork, with a special aroma and significant nutritional value, comparable to a thousand-year-old ginseng.
Things to note when buying jowl meat
This jowl meat part rarely appears and has a very limited quantity, so if you want to buy, you need to go to the market early or even notify the seller in advance to ensure you can buy it. Especially when you choose to buy, there are some important points that you need to pay attention to:
The surface of the jowl meat piece must be dry and free from any signs of moisture. If you feel the meat piece is moist, it may have been injected with water or previously frozen.
The color of the meat must be bright, with a pinkish-red color and no signs of darkening or antibacterial resistance.
The meat should not have any strange smell, should not be watery, and it should also retain its elasticity, not too soft.
These things will help you choose fresh and delicious jowl meat that is safe for your health.
What is the best way to cook jowl meat?
Steamed jowl meat
There are a variety of delicious ways to cook jowl meat. Thanks to the soft tendons and alternating layers of fat within each meat layer, jowl meat is not tough, fibrous, or dry. It is extremely tender and tasty. After purchasing, you can try many delicious dishes with this meat.
Boiling or steaming often preserves the natural sweetness of the meat more. One of the simplest dishes is stew, and you can find a recipe to make this dish to enjoy with your family.
Braised jowl meat with quail eggs
Braised jowl meat with quail eggs is an interesting choice. You can rinse the meat and marinate it with fish sauce, salt, sugar, chicken powder, purple onion, and minced chili before braising. After boiling the colored water, you briefly stir-fry the marinated meat and then simmer it with coconut water to make the meat naturally sweet. Finally, add quail eggs, and you will have a delicious and tender braised jowl meat dish thanks to the combination of tendons and meat.
Stir-fried jowl meat with vegetables
Jowl meat can also be used for stir-frying with vegetables, creating a delicious and unique dish. You can stir-fry the jowl meat with vegetables such as bell peppers, snow peas, or young corn, enjoying the delicious taste of fresh vegetables combined with tender meat and tendons.
If you like grilling, jowl meat is also suitable. Unlike ordinary meat, jowl meat absorbs spices deeply into the meat and when grilled, it is not easy to dry out or become fibrous. You can try grilling it with various types of vegetables to create a small and interesting BBQ party.