Cooked to Perfection
Cooked to Perfection - right-click here to download
your easy to use guide to cooking the perfect steak [488kb
PDF] »
Cooked to Perfection - right-click here to download
your easy to use guide to cooking roast beef [584kb PDF] »
How much do you need?
An average cooked serving of meat weighs 140 - 160g. The amount
of raw meat required for that serving depends on how much the
meat shrinks during cooking as well as the particular cut,
its size, fat and bone content and the degree of doneness.
Generally, cooking losses range from ¼ to one third
of the raw meat weight. Remember, cooking losses in small roasts
and portion cuts tend to be greater than in larger cuts.
Get the most out of beef and lamb when cooking by:
 Keep
cooking temperatures low - Some cooking loss is unavoidable,
but using low cooking temperatures keeps them to a minimum.
There is less meat shrinkage at low temperatures. Tests show
that even when two beef roasts are cooked to the same degree
of 'doneness', roasting losses are usually less at a lower,
constant temperature for a longer period of time, than at a
higher temperature for shorter time.
Simmer, don't boil - Gentle simmering cooks meat evenly and simmered
meats have less cooking loss than boiled meats.
Grill, don't burn - Grilling requires high temperatures. If the
temperature is too high it will burn the outside of the meat,
dry, shrink and cook it unevenly.
Do not cook meats longer than necessary - (But ensure internal
temperature is high enough to kill bacteria). The longer a roast
is in the oven, the more it shrinks so do not overcook. The larger
the cut, the longer the cooking time needed, but keep in mind
that a thin, flat roast might take half the cooking time of a
thicker roast of the same weight. Always take into account the
shape as well as the cut and weight of the meat when calculating cooking time.
There are 200 muscles in a beef carcase. Every one is different
in structure - that is why different cuts of meat need to be
cooked by different cooking methods.
Click here for a table of recommended beef and lamb
cooking times »
Carve it right to cut losses - Good carving techniques help to
minimise meat losses during slicing. Carve meat across the grain
for optimum tenderness.
Trimmings - Put them to good use.
Fat (dripping) render - Use
for cooking.
Bones and sinews - Use in stock making, for sauces,
soups etc.
Large trimmings - Dice or cut into strips for casseroles,
kebabs and stir-fries.
Small trimmings - Mince for use in pies,
patties, meat loaves.
Cuts | Seasonality | Meat Storage | Meat Safety & Hygiene
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