On Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:35:02 +0100, "Giusi"
wrote:
They're all exported from Italy because yoose peons need the lira and
couldn't afford sweetbreads anyway.
sweetbreads
Prized by gourmets throughout the world, sweetbreads are the thymus
glands of veal, young beef, lamb and pork. There are two glands ? an
elongated lobe in the throat and a larger, rounder gland near the
heart. These glands are connected by a tube, which is often removed
before sweetbreads are marketed. The heart sweetbread is considered
the more delectable (and is therefore more expensive) of the two
because of its delicate flavor and firmer, creamy-smooth texture.
Sweetbreads from milk-fed veal or young calves are considered the
best. Those from young lamb are quite good, but beef sweetbreads are
tougher and pork sweetbreads (unless from a piglet) have a rather
strong flavor. Veal, young calf and beef sweetbreads are available
year-round in specialty meat markets, whereas those from lamb and pork
must usually be special-ordered. Choose sweetbreads that are white
(they become redder as the animal ages), plump and firm. They're very
perishable and should be prepared within 24 hours of purchase. Before
being cooked, sweetbreads must be soaked in several changes of
ACIDULATED WATER and their outer membrane removed. Some recipes call
for the glands to be blanched to firm them, and refrigerated until
ready for use. Sweetbreads can be prepared in a variety of ways
including poaching, saut?ing and braising. They are also sometimes
used in P?T?S and SOUFFL?S.
? Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD
LOVER'S COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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