Pork kidney is a delicacy for many, with its unique sweet and crunchy texture that doesn’t get overwhelming even when consumed in large quantities. However, being an excretory organ, pork kidney can be quite odorous if not prepared properly. Many people are hesitant to cook with pork kidney because they don’t know how to effectively remove the unpleasant smell.
**Tips for cleaning and eliminating the odor from pork kidney:**
* **Saltwater Wash:** Before any preparation, it’s crucial to start by thoroughly cleaning the kidney. Soak the kidney in diluted saltwater for about 15 minutes to help eliminate any unpleasant odors. Rinse it well under cold running water afterward. Pork kidneys often have a thin layer of fat on their surface, which can trap impurities and retain odors.
* **Rice Water Soak:** One simple yet effective method to neutralize the odor is to soak the kidney in rice water for about 30 minutes. Rice water has mild acidic properties and is excellent at absorbing odors. After soaking, rinse the kidney with clean water to significantly reduce the odor and achieve a cleaner organ.
* *(Image: Dorset Meat)*
* **Vinegar Treatment:** Vinegar is a powerful odor neutralizer and disinfectant. Soak the kidney in a solution of vinegar and water for about 20 minutes. Vinegar helps break down the fatty structure, reducing the odor and removing impurities. After soaking, give it a final rinse under cold running water to ensure complete cleanliness.
* Alternatively, you can use lemon instead of vinegar. Rub lemon juice on the surface of the kidney or mix lemon juice with water and soak the kidney in it. Lemon helps reduce the odor and tenderizes the meat, making the dish more palatable. Rinse the kidney with clean water after soaking.
* **Fresh Ginger:** Ginger, with its distinctive aroma and heat, is highly effective at eliminating food odors. Use a fresh ginger root, peel and slice it thinly, and rub it onto the kidney. Alternatively, crush the ginger, mix it with a little salt, and apply it to the kidney, leaving it on for about 15 minutes.
* **White Wine:** White wine is an excellent odor neutralizer, especially for strong scents like that of pork kidney. Simply pour a small amount of white wine over the kidney, rub it in, and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing with clean water. Wine not only helps eliminate the odor but also disinfects the organ, making the dish safer to consume.
* *Proper preparation ensures a delicious and odor-free pork kidney. (Image: True Bites)*
**Proper Preparation Techniques to Eliminate Odor:**
* After cleaning the kidney using the above methods, use a sharp knife to peel off the thin outer membrane and remove any fatty deposits, as they tend to retain odors.
* Next, halve the kidney lengthwise and use a thin, sharp knife to carefully remove all the white, odorous glands located in the center of the organ, as they are the primary source of the unpleasant smell.
* Once the glands are removed, thoroughly rinse the kidney with clean water to get rid of any remaining impurities and debris.
* After following these steps, you will have successfully eliminated the odor from the pork kidney, and you can proceed to cook it as desired.
**Source: VTCnews**