Are you a fan of beef in black pepper sauce? This dish is not only a top choice in restaurants but also a favorite among many families. However, creating a delicious plate of beef in black pepper sauce with tender meat as desired is not an easy task. So, what’s the secret? Let’s explore it together!
1 Choose beef with a bright red color
To make authentic and tasty beef in black pepper sauce, selecting fresh ingredients is of utmost importance. Fresh beef usually has a bright red color with a shiny surface, pale yellow fat, and firm white tendons. When pressed, fresh beef will spring back without sticking to your hand and has a distinctive aroma. The texture of the meat should be soft, even, and not too fine.
It is recommended to opt for female beef as it tends to be sweeter than male beef. If you are lucky enough to find veal, even better, as veal is usually softer and sweeter. On the other hand, stay away from meat with abnormal colors like greenish-brown or strange white spots, or with an unpleasant odor. Old beef often has a dark red color, intense yellow fat, soft texture, and may have mucus. Additionally, examine the bones; fresh beef bones are usually bright white.
Choose beef with a bright red color
2 Select the tenderloin cut for beef in black pepper sauce
The tenderloin has long, soft fibers with minimal tendons, and when braised, it cooks quickly and becomes tender. This ensures a uniform and easy-to-eat texture for the dish.
Compared to cuts like pork belly or spareribs, tenderloin contains less fat. This helps to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy, making it suitable for those who want to lose weight or are on a diet.
Moreover, tenderloin has a natural sweet taste and a refreshing flavor, and when combined with the pungent aroma of black pepper, it creates a harmonious and refined culinary experience.
Select the tenderloin cut for beef in black pepper sauce
3 Cut the beef into 3mm thick slices
To achieve tender and flavorful beef slices, cut the meat across the grain into slices about 3mm thick. Note that the slices should be slightly larger to avoid becoming too small during cooking. After cutting, gently pound the meat with a mallet to tenderize it.
Tip: When pounding the meat, slide your hand along the mallet to prevent the meat from sticking to it.
Finally, cut the slices in half for a more manageable size.
Cut the beef into 3mm thick slices
4 Use tapioca starch for marinating the beef
The secret to tender and sweet beef that retains its natural flavor lies in the marination process. In addition to familiar seasonings like soy sauce, MSG, seasoning powder, and sugar, add a little tapioca starch. Tapioca starch not only helps to firm up the meat but also prevents it from releasing too much liquid, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
Use tapioca starch for marinating the beef
5 Stir-fry the beef to a medium-rare level
To maintain the tenderness and sweetness of the beef, we will stir-fry it to a medium-rare level before adding it to the black pepper sauce. First, sauté the beef briefly to enhance its aroma. Next, cook the beef over high heat so that it is seared on the outside while remaining tender on the inside. Finally, add the beef to the prepared sauce.
Stir-fry the beef to a medium-rare level
6 Use butter for the black pepper sauce
Imagine your beef slices immersed in a rich and creamy black pepper sauce infused with the aroma of butter. Just a touch of butter can elevate your dish to the next level.
Use butter for the black pepper sauce
7 Use crushed black peppercorns for the sauce
The key to creating an authentic and delicious black pepper sauce lies in using freshly crushed black peppercorns. The pungent aroma of crushed black pepper, when combined with other ingredients, will create an unforgettable flavor.
Use crushed black peppercorns for the sauce
8 Don’t overcook it
To ensure tender beef that absorbs all the flavors, pay attention to the cooking time.
First, melt the butter and add the beef and crushed pepper, stirring until the meat firms up. Then, add a little water and bring it to a boil. Season with soy sauce, sugar, MSG, and seasoning powder. Finally, dissolve tapioca starch in a small amount of water and pour it into the pot, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
Don’t overcook it
With these tips, you now have the recipe to create delicious and flavorful beef in black pepper sauce right in your own kitchen. Each tender slice of beef, infused with the distinctive taste of black pepper, is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
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