Thursday, 17 October 2013

How To Defrost Frozen Steaks

One of the benefits of mail order steaks is that you get them packed and frozen using the most advanced technology. This assures that the steak will retain its original flavor and tenderness for around six to 12 months as long as it remains frozen. However, it is important to thaw frozen steaks the proper way to get the most from its qualities, and to allow for refreezing if this becomes necessary.

Experts say that it is not advisable to thaw steak at room temperature, as this will not only take up a long time, but can also cause bacteria to form. The best method of thawing steaks is by keeping it in the bottom shelf of your refrigerator for around 24 hours. This will defrost the steak slowly at a temperature that is not conducive to the formation of bacteria, and will allow the steak to retain its moisture and flavor.

If you need to thaw the steak more quickly, you can let it sit in its packaging on a sink filled with cold water. The water will gradually warm up and thaw the steak faster than in the refrigerator. This method usually takes only around 20 minutes.


A faster way of defrosting steak is by using the microwave set at “defrost”. However, some experts do not recommend this method, because it causes the steak to lose its natural juices. Whichever defrosting method you prefer, just remember to thaw the steak in its packaging. 

Thursday, 3 October 2013

How to Choose Meat for Your First Steak

Cooking up a great steak from scratch is a great way to impress anyone, especially when you've got mad cooking skills. However, for the first timer, there are a couple of things you need to know before you grab a skillet and turn on that stove.

One of the basics that any cook needs to know is how to pick the right kind of meat. There are different places where you could get quality meat like delis, groceries, and even from established online sellers, but knowing how to pick one is important because when you get meat that isn't fresh or of good quality, your entire dinner could be ruined.

If you're picking beef, you should first figure out what kind of steak dish you'll be making and what kind of cut you'll need. Some examples of cuts you could get are ribs for short ribs or rib eye steaks, short loin for porterhouse or T-bone steaks, and sirloin. If you're unsure, you can look up a recipe and ask your local butcher or online seller on what he recommends.

Next is identifying if the meat is still fresh. Remember that fresh beef has bright red meat and cream colored fat. Any other color than this is something you may want to stay away from. If it is slimy, sticky, or smells stale, it could be spoiled.


Why You Should Buy Organic Meat and Dairy

Choosing to purchase meat from shops that get their supply from farms that care for the environment and raise their animals in an ethical manner is a wise way to spend your food dollar. You may find this surprising, but animal agriculture actually produces huge amounts of air and water pollution, while causing 80 percent of the world's annual deforestation.

Industrial farms use huge amounts of resources

Most factory farms operate on cheap, non-renewable fossil fuels. Their methods of production, transportation, processing, and marketing their products depend heavily on it. Without such fuels, their industry won't survive, because it would become too expensive to operate. Pesticides are also an issue in this industry as their chemicals contaminate ground water and soil.

Why organic farms are better

Organic farms consume 70 percent less energy than industrial farms, thanks to careful ecological management. Also, when you buy meat from local farms, you help in the reduction of energy consumption because it takes less miles for the food to get to your table. In terms of pest control, organic farms only use natural methods to deal with pest problems, thus, the quality of groundwater is preserved.

By supporting meat shops that purchase from organic farms, you also support the larger community of which every person is a part of.

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Enjoy Authentic Kobe Beef from an Online Meat Store

"There are a lot of urban legends that surround the raising of Tajima-gyu cattle, the special breed from which Japan's highly prized Kobe beef comes from. While these stories are unfounded, the strict standards that apply to Kobe beef – from the breed of cattle to its lineage to where it was born and raised – are 100% true. Consumers looking for the real deal should purchase Kobe beef from reputable suppliers like Harter House Meats, which also runs an online meat store for added convenience. But beyond how the cattle is raised, achieving the perfect serving of Kobe beef is dependent on how it is cooked. Travel writer Jessica Korteman says that Kobe beef shouldn't be cooked beyond medium-rare in order to maximize its flavor. Due to its lower melting point, cooking it too long may be cause for loss of flavor, with its prized fat melting away."
http://harterhousemeats.com/blog/buy-meat-online-from-reputable-butchers-enjoy-authentic-kobe-beef/

Friday, 20 September 2013

Red Meat is Evil? Butchers Offering Mail Order Steaks Say Otherwise

"Red meat has been seen in a bad light due to several studies linking cardiovascular and digestive diseases to its consumption. But as the scientific phrase goes, “correlation does not imply causation” as meat harvested from grass-fed animals are actually full of nutritious elements such as healthy Omega-3s, vitamins A and E, and other minerals. While there are many studies that show the harmful effects of eating red meat, they are mostly observational. It doesn't prove that red meat causes cancer but rather the consumers of which are at higher risk of developing it. Furthermore, an audit of previous studies on red meat consumption show that processed meat was linked to increased risk of various diseases, but no direct link was found for unprocessed meat. This is good news for those who can't say no to a good piece of steak. Buying mail order steaks from reputable suppliers ensures consumers not only of quality but also of healthy cuts."
http://harterhousemeats.com/blog/butchers-that-offer-mail-order-steaks-debunk-the-%E2%80%9Cred-meat-is-evil%E2%80%9D-myth/

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Choosing The Right Online Butcher Shop is Essential

Cooking steak starts with the process of choosing carefully the meat of your choice. Buying a raw cut of meat that already looks dull will most likely result in a poor or a below-average tasting steak. As per Derrick Riches, there are two things you have to look for when buying your piece of meat: cut and grade. Cuts vary from which section they are taken. Tenderness and flavor also differ. Grade is classified into three: prime, choice and select. Most prime-grade beef are usually exported or delivered to fine dining restaurants so consumers often choose between choice and select. One tip when buying raw meat is to go for the one with bright red meat and creamy white fat. Harter House is a reputable online butcher shop that gives you the option to choose from various cuts of high quality meats and delivers them straight to your doorstep. Harter House's goal is to take your cooking experience into a higher level.
http://harterhousemeats.com/blog/buy-meat-online-choosing-a-good-steak/

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Order Meat Online and Cook your Perfect Steak!

Though many claim that they know the best way to cook a steak, none can say that their way is perfect. The search for the perfect steak has been on going for decades; though not yet found, there's no reason not to try out some recipes. A reputable news provider The Guardian even has its own steak recipe. There are a lot of techniques and processes a steak has to go through to achieve a desired outcome, from submerging the frozen meat in warm water to constant flipping. One factor remains consistent to obtain the mouthwatering cooked steak though: the correct slice of meat. Harter House gives you the option to order meat online that will be directly delivered to your doorstep. Acquiring a great meat mixed with preparation and a secret cooking technique then serving it to friends and family and seeing their reaction while indulging the steak will give you that sense of perfection.
http://harterhousemeats.com/blog/a-taste-of-heaven-with-mail-order-steaks/