Beef combinations

Question 1

State the main flavours of beef

Answer 1

Salty, umami, a little sweet and sour

Question 2

Explain why grass fed beef is better than grain fed

Answer 2

It has more flavour

Question 3

Explain what hanging does to beef

Answer 3

Makes the flavour deeper and gamier

Question 4

Explain why bacon might be added to beef

Answer 4

It enhances the meaty flavour and provides some fat to lean cuts of beef

Question 5

Name the root vegetable often served with corn beef

Answer 5

Beetroot

Question 6

Describe the effect of adding anchovies to a beef joint or stew

Answer 6

Intensifies the meat flavour, provides juiciness

Question 7

Name a common anise based sauce used with beef steak

Answer 7

Bearnaise

Question 8

Describe how bell peppers can function on a beef skewer

Answer 8

They catch the meat juices

Question 9

Explain why blackberry sauce goes well with beef.

Answer 9

It gives a tartness, herbaceous and spicy flavour that complements the beef’s sweetness

Question 10

State the type of cheeses that complements the tang of an aged beef joint or steak

Answer 10

Blue, stilton, roquefort

Question 11

State the flavour correlation between beef and broccoli

Answer 11

Both have an iron or ‘ferrous’ tang.

Question 12

Explain the origins of cabbage and beef in the US.

Answer 12

Gammon was traditionally served with cabbage by the Irish. Beef was cheaper in the US for the immigrants of Ireland, so they started to serve it with beef instead.

Question 13

Explain why caper is well suited to beef

Answer 13

Capers are a tropical relation to the mustard family. They contain mustard oil.

Question 14

Explain the history of beef and carrots

Answer 14

The upper class ate rib of beef with carrots. The working classes could not afford rib, so they boiled brisket and stuck carrots in with it.

Question 15

Describe the effect of celery in beef stew

Answer 15

Celery creates a depth of flavour to the broth. They also sweeten as they cook.

Question 16

Name the spicy dish often associated with South America, but actually thought to come from Texas

Answer 16

Chili con carne

Question 17

Name the spice beginning with “c” often used in Greek meat dishes, such as pastitsio

Answer 17

Cinnamon

Question 18

Describe the effect of a small number of ground cloves in beef gravy

Answer 18

It enhances the flavour by adding a bittersweet warmth. The gravy becomes darker and more concentrated.

Question 19

State the region that commonly pair beef with coconut

Answer 19

South East Asian/Thai

Question 20

Describe the effect of coffee when used as a marinade for beef

Answer 20

It gives a quite intense gamy flavour

Question 21

Name the famous fast food classic that combines the flavour of dill with beef

Answer 21

The Big Mac!

Question 22

Describe the flavour of raw beef

Answer 22

Mild ammonia with a hint of pepperiness and gentle fishiness

Question 23

Explain why a raw egg yolk is added to beef tartare

Answer 23

The yolk emphasises the meat flavour

Question 24

Name the effect of garlic on beef

Answer 24

It brings out the butch character

Question 25

Explain why ginger is well suited to beef

Answer 25

Beef loves tangy flavours

Question 26

Explain the link between beef and hard cheese

Answer 26

Hard cheese is thought to have a brothy flavour similar to a beef stock cube

Question 27

Describe the effect of horseradish on beef

Answer 27

It has a sharp and slightly sour bite that gives an edge to rich beef sauce

Question 28

Describe the flavour of juniper to a beef sauce

Answer 28

They add a spicy, aromatic and fruity flavour

Question 29

Explain why Italians add lemon to beef slices

Answer 29

To lift the flavour of the beef and enhance the flavour of the chianti they drink with it

Question 30

State the flavour of beef that allows it to stand up to lime

Answer 30

The metallic tang

Question 31

Name the dish where liver is traditionally combined with beef

Answer 31

Beef Wellington

Question 32

List two instances where beef is combined with mint

Answer 32

Vietnamese beef soup, Portuguese beef broth

Question 33

Give 3 suggestions for serving beef with mushroom

Answer 33

Garnish for a steak; stroganoff; beef pie

Question 34

Name the oily fish sometimes paired with beef in Italy

Answer 34

Tinned tuna, as it has a meaty flavour

Question 35

Explain why black olives are added to a beef stew broth

Answer 35

They give a darkness and deep briny flavour to a beef daube (slow cooked beef in some sauce)

Question 36

Name two dishes that involve beef and onions

Answer 36

Philly sandwich, French onion soup made from beef stock

Question 37

Describe the context in which you would add orange to beef

Answer 37

Slow cooked beef dishes

Question 38

Explain why oyster or oyster sauce is added to beef

Answer 38

Its salty flavour greatly enhances the flavour of the beef

Question 39

Name the sauce that contains parsley, olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar and seasoning that is sometimes paired with a steak

Answer 39

Chimichurri

Question 40

Suggest why parsnip is a more interesting pairing to beef than (e.g.) carrot

Answer 40

The flavour is more complex - sweet, earthy, nutmeg, parsley hints. Parsnip also complements saltiness well

Question 41

Explain the role peas can play when added to a beef stew

Answer 41

They can soak up the flavours of the beef and then help lace this through the dish

Question 42

State a dish that combines beef and peanut

Answer 42

Thai Mussaman curry

Question 43

Name a country that are known to combine pear with beef

Answer 43

Korea

Question 44

Explain why pork is added to beef to create meatballs

Answer 44

It provides a sweeter aspect to the ferrous notes of the beef

Question 45

Explain why potato should not be stored lower than 7 degrees

Answer 45

The starch begins to turn to sugar and so when the potato cooks it caramelises and becomes bittersweet

Question 46

List 2 dishes that include potato paired with beef

Answer 46

Steak frites, roast beef and roasted potatoes

Question 47

Give an example of shellfish combined with beef and explain why it is done

Answer 47

Surf and turf. The salt aspect of the shellfish can enhance the beef flavour.

Question 48

Explain the role of swede in a beef pasty

Answer 48

The sweetness off sets the savoury flavour of the meat

Question 49

Describe the effect of thyme in a beef stew

Answer 49

Provides layers of herbal and spicy flavour to the richness of the meat dish

Question 50

List a dish that combines beef with tomatoes

Answer 50

Lasagne

Question 51

Name the expensive ingredient that Italians and French might shave on top of beef

Answer 51

Truffle

Question 52

Explain the role of pickled walnuts in a beef stew

Answer 52

They provide a piquancy (sharp tang) to the rich stew.

Question 53

Describe the effect of watercress added to steak in a sandwich/baguette

Answer 53

The peppery and mustardy flavour complements the sweetness of the meat