The meat contains a large amount of protein, which is very useful for the normal functioning of the whole organism. Each person may have different taste preferences - someone loves pork, and someone prefers exclusively poultry meat. However, there are those who, having tasted the meat of wild boar at least once, are sure that they cannot be tasted better in nature.
This article will talk about the taste and features of such a product. The benefits and harms of boar meat will be described, and recipes for its preparation will also be available below.
Taste and other features
Boar meat has a unique, rich nutty flavor that is not comparable to any other product. The color of wild boar meat is darker, unlike pork. After all, it has much more iron.
The smell of boar meat can usually be unpleasant. Therefore, it is important to soak it before cooking in vinegar for 4-5 hours or leave to marinate in lemon juice and vinegar for a day.
In general, there are many differences between the usual pig meat, which can be easily bought at any grocery store, and wild boar meat, which was hunted. This fact is related to the conditions in which these animals live. The former, as a rule, lead a sedentary lifestyle, since they have to spend most of the time in special pens, which is why their meat has a lot of fat. But wild boars are constantly in search of food, being in constant motion, which is why the amount of fat in their meat is much less.
Knowing the important features of boar meat, you can now consider the question of what is the benefit and harm of boar meat.
Beneficial features
The meat of this animal contains a large amount of phosphorus. As you know, this element is responsible for the proper condition of the joints and bone tissue. In addition, phosphorus helps the kidneys work, distribute energy, grow, maintain and repair tissues and cells, supports the work of the heart, improves nerve conduction, etc.
In addition to this, boar meat is an indispensable source of the most useful amino acids that are necessary for vital processes, such as the construction of proteins and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.
It is important to note that wild boar meat is considered a dietary food. 100 grams of this amazing product contains about 142 kcal, while the content of cholesterol in it is very small.
Such meat is recommended to be included in the diet for people who suffer from diseases of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Wild boar meat is also beneficial for the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, genitourinary system and skin.
Possible harm
There are very few contraindications to the use of this meat. Boar meat should not be consumed by people who have an individual intolerance to this product.
In addition, it can be excluded from the diet according to the recommendations of the attending physician. This is possible in the case of diseases of the digestive system, in the postoperative period, etc.
Now, knowing the possible dangers and benefits of wild boar meat, you can begin to consider the best recipes for its preparation, which will help to reveal the individuality of taste and delight any gourmet.
Boar meat stew
For cooking, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 kilogram of boar meat;
- 2-3 onions;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- 2 tablespoons of flour;
- 1 tablespoon of paprika;
- 1 teaspoon of salt;
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper;
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme;
- 1-2 tomatoes;
- 3 carrots;
- 1 hot green or red pepper;
- 2 stalks of celery;
- 3-4 potatoes;
- 1 bay leaf;
- 200-300 grams of sour cream;
- greens (parsley, dill, cilantro, etc. to taste);
- vegetable oil.
Cooking sequence:
- The meat is cut into small pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, pepper and thyme. Everything is well mixed and added to the meat.
- Onions and garlic are chopped and then added to the meat.
- In a large saucepan, pour vegetable oil, heat it and put chopped carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, celery stalks, hot pepper, bay leaf and herbs.
- After 3-5 minutes, put meat with spices, garlic and onions in a pan.
- Further, when all the ingredients are slightly fried, cover them with water. Do not add too much liquid, the amount that would literally cover 0.5 cm of meat and vegetables on top will be enough.
- Stew must be extinguished under a closed lid. To begin with, the dish needs medium heat, so that the contents of the pan can boil, after which the fire needs to be reduced to a minimum and the dish is left on the stove for 2 hours.
- At the end of cooking, add sour cream.
This delicious boar meat recipe will surely appeal to every member of the family. It is best to serve the dish hot.
Boar meat in the oven
It’s easiest to bake a piece of meat. It does not take much time to prepare, you just need to add all the necessary ingredients and leave the meat for baking for several hours.
So, for this recipe you will need:
- 1 kilogram of boar meat;
- 1 onion (large size);
- 1 clove of garlic;
- olive oil;
- 1 carrot;
- 1 stalk of celery;
- a sprig of rosemary;
- juniper berries;
- 2 small and juicy tomatoes;
- 400 ml of chicken stock;
- Red wine;
- salt pepper.
Cooking process:
- The meat should be poured with wine, add salt, pepper, rosemary, juniper berries and leave to marinate for 2-3 hours.
- Onions should be diced, chopped garlic.
- It is desirable to cut the carrots in half rings, but you can also grate on a coarse grater (optional).
- Celery also needs to be cut.
- Mashed tomatoes. To do this, grind the tomatoes in a blender or crush them manually.
- In a baking sheet greased with olive oil, put the meat, add tomato puree and chicken broth to it.
- The meat is baked for 2 hours at low temperature.
Serve the dish hot, dividing the whole piece into portions.
Boar Meat Tips
In the oven, such meat is the most delicious. It should be noted that cooking it by baking is the least troublesome task.
Boar meat is not in a hurry. It should be cooked for a long time and over low heat. Only by observing this rule will it be possible to prepare a delicate, tasty and unique dish. Otherwise, the meat can be tough.
If there is such an opportunity, do not freeze boar meat. But if it was stored in a freezer, it should be thawed naturally (use a microwave or warm water is not necessary). Otherwise, the meat may become stiff during cooking.
To get rid of the unpleasant smell of boar meat (if any), you should leave it in the marinade at least for the night. In other cases, 3-5 hours is enough for pickling. It is best to use pineapple juice or red wine for marinade.
Conclusion
Having learned about the benefits and dangers of wild boar meat, the features of its preparation and the most delicious recipes, you can safely begin to cook. The most important thing is to follow the above recommendations, and dishes from this unique product will turn out to be incredibly tasty and will benefit the body.