I am making kebebs from an indian cook book it says apply 'meat tenderizer' to the meat what is this?

Question

i thought meat tenderizer was one of those hammer things you whack the meat with but it seems this is an ingredient

Answer 1

Indians do not use any meat tenderizer, so I am not sure your Indian cookbook is very authentic. It's not even available in India at all!

We tenderize our meat/poultry by marinating with yogurt. The natural acidity of yogurt is the best tenderizer. Tandoori, Tikka, Kebabs... all use a yogurt base (sometimes also lemon juice) as the marinade.

This website will give you more authentic kebab recipes:

http://www.indianfoodsco.com/Recipes/Kebabs/Kebabs.htm

Answer 2

It is generally a papaya-based substance, but you wil probably not need it. Even the toughest meat will tenderise if you cook it for long enough.

Kebabs should be marinaded in spices with a lemon-juice base. The lemon juice will tenderise the meat to some extent, but the success of the kebab will greatly depend on what cut of meat you have used. Beef - use flank or topside, lamb - use shoulder.

A meat bat is used for tenderising steaks - bashing the meat breaks up the connective fibre in the meat tissue.

Answer 3

Papaya is a common ingredient in meat tenderizers found on supermarket shelves. It contains an enzyme used to break down the protein structures of meat, and I've seen papaya in Indian recipes, though it's more common in SE Asian dishes

Answer 4

You can purchase meat tenderizer in the spice aisle, but it's loaded with salt. I prefer to use a mallet or marinade the meat instead.

Answer 5

I think it is a product you buy although never used it myself. I normally mix cornflour with water to a light paste and cover meat with in and let it tenderize for as long as poss (over night) Another tip for meat is to cut opposite the grain.

Answer 6

Most commercial meat tenderizers are a combination of salt and sugar and other ingredients.

One brand to look for is Adolph's from Lawry's

Answer 7

Yep, meat tenderizer can be found in the spice section of your local grocer. Read the labels before purchasing, some are specific to fish and chicken.......

Answer 8

You can buy a powder that is meat tenderizer in the grocery stores. These tenderizers have a papaya base.

Answer 9

You could use a citrus based marinade as this will do the same job but have lots less salt in it.

Answer 10

its a product you add as an ingredient check out site below it may help