Indian cuisine is full of multiple non-vegetarian dishes that are prepared in different ways by using other flavourful condiments. Different types of meat are eaten in specific regions of the country. Though the preparation of meat may differ from area to area, one process that is common among all non-vegetarian dishes is the cleaning of meat.
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Meat that has been bought from the market has to be first cleaned properly so that it gets rid of any kind of harmful bacteria or dirt particles that might be present on it. It is proper to cook meat at home only after cleaning it. Cleaning the raw meat can be a challenge for people who do not know the whole process. Sometimes people end up not cleaning it properly, which leads to the dish tasting really weird and may also cause food poisoning because of the contaminated meat.
Here are seven tips to clean raw meat at home.
* Salt Water
Using salt water is a very simple yet effective way of cleaning raw meat at home. Some lukewarm water must be mixed with a little bit of salt. Now, small chunks of meat must be put inside this mixture and it should be kept aside for at least 10 minutes. Using cold water is also equally effective. After 10 to 15 minutes of draining the meat in the water, it should be taken out and patted dry with the help of a towel or a tissue.
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* Removing The Outer Layer
Removing the outer layer of the meat is another idea to remove any kind of harmful bacteria that might be present on the outer surface. Though this leads to a little wastage of the raw meat, it ensures that the meat is free from contamination. One can use a peeler to take off the thinnest layer of meat for minimum waste. Then the meat can be cleaned properly and cooked.
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* Use Clean Surfaces
While storing or cleaning meat, avoid putting it on a contaminated surface, like a kitchen shelf or a dirty plate. It is always important to use clean crockery for the storage of meat, as it is always vulnerable to attracting harmful bacteria that might be present on the kitchen shelf. Proper storage of raw meat is as important as its cleaning and one must take care of this thing during the cleaning process of storage.
* Vinegar
Vinegar is a well-established cleaning ingredient that is used for a lot of different purposes. Other than being an effective cleaning ingredient for utensils and kitchen slabs, it is also quite effective in cleaning raw meat. The dominance of citric acid present in vinegar helps reduce the presence of bacteria and also resists their growth. Mixing a small amount of vinegar in water and then cleaning the raw meat with the help of this mixture can be extremely beneficial in cleaning the meat properly.
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* Lemon
Lemon juice is also quite effective in cleaning, which is why it is popularly found in a lot of dishwashers and soaps. It can kill germs very easily and can also prevent meat-borne germs. Using some lemon juice on the cuts of meat can be a great way of preventing bacterial growth. Also, one can use a lot of lemon juice while cooking the meat to further make it free from any kind of germ or bacteria.
* Preservation
Raw meat should only be stored in the refrigerator after it is completely dried. Any kind of exposure to moisture can lead to the meat getting spoiled and affected by bacteria. To store meat in the refrigerator, it must be put inside an airtight container and sealed properly. This is the correct way of storing the meat in the refrigerator and keeping it fresh for a long time. Avoid storing meat in plastic bags or the packets in which it was bought from the market. These are extremely unfriendly for health and must be avoided.
* Food-Grade Sodium Hydroxide
Food-grade sodium hydroxide is a very useful preservative used in the food industry to prevent the growth of bacteria and moulds in meat. It not only helps in removing the skin of fruits and vegetables but also prevents bacterial growth in the past. This preservative, in a variant that has less potency, can be used to clean the meat properly.