Steak, Soup or Stirfry: Which cuts of beef are best for your dish?

Choosing the right cut of beef to perfectly serve as the hero of a protein dish is a daunting challenge for even an experienced chef. But there’s no need to pine over the dilemma any longer as we’ve listed down which cuts of beef would best complement the dish you want…

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For a steak
Two of the most popular cuts of steaks are tenderloin and ribeye.
Having a higher fat content and marbling which gives it its rich flavor, ribeye is a tender and juicy prized cut at any steakhouse. Tenderloin, on the other hand (also known as Filet Mignon) has very little fat which explains its milder flavour to ribeye, but can still be very tender giving a deliciously soft and buttery texture.

For soup or corned beef
Locking in a distinctive umami flavour for a stock isn’t for the faint of heart — it requires time and patience. But with a beef brisket, a fattier and tougher cut of meat from the breast of the cow, a soup or curry dish could come out packed with a punch with deliciously tender and flavourful meat to melt in the mouth if it were slow-cooked at low temperatures, giving the proteins to break down. It also makes for a perfect corned beef!

For a stir-fry
The flank is often a tricky protein to cook because of its lean muscle fibres — a cut of meat that is easily overcooked. Though it marinates well, its best to fire it up over the grill at a high temperature, but only briefly to retain its moisture. It can be tough, if not cooked right, but offers as a nice protein for stir fry dishes or even to make ground beef.

For a stew
The grounding essence of a stew is the flavour of the meat. Beef chuck, which is a shoulder cut, is lean cut of meat but is packed with flavour that is best extracted through time under low fire. Slow-cooking a beef chuck for stew, soup or a pot roast breaks down the meat without drying it out, giving the dish a distinctive tender and melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

For a roast / barbecue
Beef ribs are thicker cuts of meat that are great for slow-cooking in the over or smoked on a barbecue grill. The cooking process melts the are tender cuts of meat that can withstand higher temperatures and still remain soft which makes it perfect for a barbecue roasted dish or oven baked meal.

For a saucy appetiser
Two unlikely and polarising cuts of beef that is likely to surprise and intrigue your guests are beef tripe and tongue. While it is obvious which part of the cow the latter is situated, the beef tripe, on the other hand, actually comes from the inner lining of a cow’s stomach. A staple dim sum dish or a funky addition to a beef brisket noodle, they are typically boiled, steamed, pickled or braised in sauce. However it is prepared, a generous combination of flavours and spices for a sauce to accompany it often results in a mouth-watering outcome.

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Lifestyle trends to look out for in 2021

2020 had been a roller coaster of a ride that brought Hongkongers a slew of both positive and unfortunate moments— circumstances that impeded on a comfortable and habitual lifestyle. In spite of the unexpected events of last year, it brought about a handful of booming lifestyle trends that had caught on quicker than Covid-19. Though the pandemic stretches into 2021— overstaying its welcome, these lifestyle trends are here to stay.

Plucking, waxing or threading Which is best for eyebrow shaping gafencu magazine beauty W hotel bliss spa — (Image from W Hong Kong)

Wellness Staycations

With travel restrictions hammered down, Staycations have never been more popular. The city saw its highest spike in staycation searches in 2020, setting a record high of Google searches, according to data provided by Google. The trend was quickly captured by luxury hotels like Hyatt, Peninsula, W Hong Kong and Rosewood by meeting the demands of local residents for a ‘wellness getaway’ right in their own backyard. Rejuvenation spa treatments inclusive in Staycation packages were the highlight of these promotions, offering home-bound residents a relief from their citylife burdens. And as long as travel restrictions are still in place, sumptuous Staycations are here to stay.

Home cooking

The widely used photo and video sharing platform, Instagram witnessed a boom in mouth-watering home-cooked delicacies last year. With social distancing firmly in place, home cooks turned their hand to baking and other culinary experiments, as a a safer option to dining out; Putting all that extra time away from the office and social gatherings to developing a new skill. This trend was observed by Nielsen, global measurement and data analytics company, stating that “77% of consumers in Hong Kong planned to eat at home more often than before”.

2021 lifestyle trends gafencu magazine hiking — Image from Hellohongkong

Local adventure

Although hiking was initially a call to form healthier habits whilst gyms and swimming pools remained closed, the rediscovery of the natural landscapes that occupy almost 70% of the city quickly became an Instagrammable trend featuring lesser known landscapes and beaches. But beyond the noteworthy scenic views, trekking the forested hillsides and rocky coastlines of Hong Kong is also an activity city dwellers in-need of an urban getaway and can to return to long past the pandemic ends as studies have shown that a 90-minute walk in nature reduces depression, according to Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Science.

Home workouts

A virtual trend that solved fitness needs for both fitness centres and members while the gyms were forced to close their doors, at-home workouts offered flexibility and convenience that fitness enthusiasts increasingly bacome keen on. Even though it is expected that members will return to physical gyms and fitness studios once social gathering restrictions lift, the availability of fitness apps, online classes, and luxury home-gym equipment serve a community that had previously been hindered by their hectic careers from living an active lifestyle. The global online and virtual fitness market is projected to continue its growth until 2027, reaching $59,231 million according to Allied Market Research.

Veganism

Plant-based food is making its move to take over the dining table. Alternative meat options such as OmniPork and Impossible Foods have won over the loyalty of health-conscious diners and supporters of sustainable living. With the pandemic bringing new light to the health concerns of meat products, consumers are making their switch to veganism. A research by DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences and Ipsos has revealed new data that shows significant increase in the demand for plant-based meat and is predicted to grow to US$1.7 billion, marking a 25% increase in the next five years.

6 healthy and easy recipes to fit your dietary needs

There is no doubt that healthy eating is essential to our mental and physical health. Depending on your diet, the food you eat can make or break your fitness progress or be the key to a productive week. Despite the recent limitations of dining options in the city, there is no reason your commitment to your health should be reduced to what is available in a takeaway box. You can still cook a healthy home cooked meal that is both nutritional and wholesome in the same amount of time it takes for your food delivery person to ring the doorbell. Following some of the most popular diet trends, like the Keto Diet and gluten-free food, we have found six healthy and easy recipes to fit your dietary needs.

Paleo Lemony Grilled Salmon
If you’re following a Paleo diet, you can keep it fresh and natural with this citrusy and summer-vibe recipe that consists of only five ingredients. Taking only 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook over the grill, this recipe will easily serve your palate as well as your routine any day of the week.

High-protein Shakshuka
Spice up your morning with a high-protein Middle Eastern breakfast with this one-pan recipe that will leave little to wash-up after. The protein content in this dish will help balance your blood sugar and improve your focus and productivity.

Vegan Chili Con Carne
Keep your vegan dinners simple but hearty with a bowl of Chilli Con Carne with a vegan twist. This meatless-chilli recipe is a pot filled with flavors of ingredients mostly found in your pantry.

Gluten-free quiche with sweet potato crust
You won’t miss out on cheesy pastries with this gluten-free quiche. Replacing dough with a sweet potato crust, all you need to do is press, whisk and pour then let your oven do the rest —it just cannot get easier than this.

Keto Chocolate Mousse
Nothing is more tempting than a quick, easy and delicious dessert. Whether you are satisfying a chocolate craving or ending your meal on a sweet note, you can whip up a quick fix with this Keto-friendly-recipe.

Healthy rosemary chicken with oven-roasted ratatouille
Prepare a wholesome family dish that will bring colour to your dining table. A quicker alternative to a traditional roast chicken is this healthy herb seasoned chicken-and-vegetable recipe that bursts with flavours and colours. The recipe serves four people and takes under an hour to cook.

The alternative:
Even on busy days when you are too tired to lift a knife, you can still have gourmet meals delivered to your doorstep. Eatology creates tailor-made meal plans that delivers to your home. You can currently enjoy a discount on your first meal plan or on your first consultation with nutrition and fitness coach, Beth Wright. Choose a meal that suits you best —whatever it takes to stay healthy.