It’s impossible to celebrate the diversity of beef without considering its use in cuisine across the world. The different cooking techniques, flavour pairings and accompaniments that are used worldwide to enhance beef’s natural qualities can delight the taste buds, and inspire our own cooking habits. Here are some of our favourite recipes from around the world that you can create at home.
CHINA
Dim Sum is the traditional Chinese practice of a meal served in small, bitesize portions, often in steamer baskets and accompanied by tea. Perfect for the curious foodie, Dim Sum gives the opportunity to try a wide range of dishes. This recipe for steamed beef dumplings uses Irish beef mince, is simple to follow, and perfect for any Dim Sum first-timer to try at home.
MOROCCO
The tagine is a dish originating in the Middle East as far back as the 9th century, and the name refers to the earthenware pot it is cooked in. Traditional tagine pottery consists of a circular base and a large cone-shaped cover. However, the technique can be replicated by slow-cooking in a covered pot, as in this succulent and flavoursome recipe for beef tagine with green couscous.
THAILAND
Thai cuisine is a favourite of spice-lovers, as you’ll often find dishes enhanced with a generous quantity of chilli. This recipe for red curry with beef and butternut squash is no exception. It also benefits from the classic Thai flavours of coriander, lime and ginger, and slow-cooking the beef ensures a meltingly tender result.
MEXICO
Fajitas and tacos, a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, have soared in popularity in recent years. Originally beef skirt steak was always the key ingredient, however, tacos and fajitas now commonly contain a variety of meat and fish, such as chicken, pork, shrimp, lamb and salmon, and a variety of beef cuts. Rachel Allen’s recipe for sizzling fajitas sticks to tradition, using skirt steak, and is a perfect mid-week meal.
IRELAND
Nothing says Ireland more than a traditional, hearty stew. A dish that references and compliments Ireland’s cooler climate, it is comfort food at its best. Recipes combine any meat and root vegetable native to Ireland, and use the centuries-old tradition of stewing, which would have originally been done using a cauldron over an open fire. Discover John Relihan’s Irish stew recipe, which uses diced Irish beef and is served with a scattering of parsley.