COOKING TIPS
11
• The thickness of meat, poultry and sh
will determine the length of cooking
time. Use an instant-read thermometer
after removing food from the cooking
bag to guarantee that a safe-food
temperature is indicated.
• Food safety is always a priority when
handling and cooking. When unsure
if food is done, add 30 minutes to the
cook time to pasteurize eggs and/or
poultry.
• Some tough cuts of beef can be cooked
sous vide to tender perfection in 4 to 24
hours. Sear quickly when done and serve
with root vegetables.
• Vegetables will cook faster if they are
thinly sliced or cut into small pieces.
If left whole, they will take more time
to become tender. Either way, the
natural sweetness and full nutritional
value adds to the delight in sous vide
vegetables.
• Fruit can be cooked sous vide to make
toppings, purees, syrups and such. Cook
for 2-2½ hours at 160°F and let it cool in
the bag before using.
• To prep meat, poultry and sh before
cooking, add seasonings or rubs before
bagging. Vacuum seal or use the Water
Displacement Method to remove the air
from the bag before cooking.
• To avoid the cooked protein that surfac-
es in sous vide chicken and sh, called
“albumin,”brine the chicken or sh for
one hour in lightly salted water, drain
and pat dry.
• ALWAYS use a BPA-free vacuum-sealed
bag when cooking foods more than
eight hours.
• Use a vacuum-sealed bag or use the
“Water Displacement Method”for foods
cooked fewer than 8 hours.
While sous vide foods are fully cooked and ready to
eat right out of the water bath, it is highly recom-
mended that they be nished with a blast of high
heat such as placing your cut of beef on a blazing hot
cast iron skillet for 30 seconds on each side. This gives
the meat a nice crispy texture and an appetizing
outer appearance.
Many cooks also like to use a grill to nish dishes
like sous vide ribs. A broiler is also very eective,
and makes quick work of sous vide chicken wings or
vegetables like eggplant. Even deep frying can be
a good nishing choice - sous vide French fries are
seriously delicious.
Hints & Tips for Sous Vide Cooking