What does sous vide mean?
Sous vide sounds like a relatively foreign term, and that’s because it is. The term sous vide, pronounced sou-veed, is French for “under-vacuum”. The sous vide cooking method has been around for decades; however, it only recently took off in the market of at-home cooks. Previously, the sous vide method was primarily only used in the market of higher-end restaurants or by professional chefs.
Thankfully, many at-home chefs began to recognize just how easy and delicious meals are when cooked using the sous vide technique. So why should you consider using the sous vide cooking method for your family dinner plans? Stay tuned to find out!
How does the sous vide cooking style work?
The sous vide cooking technique involves vacuum-sealing food into an airtight bag and then slow-cooking it in a water bath. When you consider the sous vide method, it’s important to remember the low and slow mentality. The water bath must be precisely heated to a designated temperature, as it helps to eliminate any margin for error.
The great thing about cooking sous vide is that it provides reliable and delicious meals every time. It also requires little to no preparation work before cooking. This is primarily because the sous vide method helps to maintain the food’s natural flavors and integrity, meaning that marinades, seasonings, and tenderizers aren’t typically required in the prep process.
If the sous vide technique is a completely new concept to you, you may also consider trying some sous vide prepared meals prior to giving the cooking method a try for yourself.
What are some good sous vide meals to cook for my family?
If you’re considering testing out the sous vide method for your next family dinner, you’ve come to the right place. Outlined below are a few great sous vide dinner ideas for you and your family.
Steaks
Steaks are a relatively more expensive cut of meat, and one of the hardest things to do is to cook them to your exact desired consistency. It’s difficult to maintain a semi-warm and rare center while also gaining a crispy exterior. However, the sous vide method helps to provide consistently cooked meats every time! All you need to do is to ensure that the water is precisely heated to the desired temperature. Once the steaks are cooked to your desired consistency internally, you can then toss them onto a grill or cast-iron skillet to gain the amount of char and crisp preferred. It’s a meal your family is bound to love!
Salmon
Cooking your salmon is a hard skill to master. Many people prefer their salmon to have that medium-rare center, with a slight amount of char externally. Luckily, the sous vide method allows you to obtain that buttery-soft texture all while maintaining the salmon’s moistness inside.
Beef brisket
Traditionally, briskets are either grilled or smoked. Again, brisket is a relatively more expensive cut of meat, so ensuring you are cooking it to your desired consistency is crucial. Cooking brisket using the sous vide technique allows you to maintain the brisket’s natural flavors and integrity, all while also delivering a moist, tender, and juicy brisket for the family! Briskets are a dish large enough that they are meant for the family, and your family is bound to love this brisket that is bursting with juices and flavor.
Pork chops or pork tenderloin
Tougher cuts of meat are traditionally considered to be cheaper cuts, as well. This is primarily because they have a lot of tendons and muscles that can make the meat seem less flavorful, juicy, and tougher all around. However, the sous vide method works to break down those ligaments, muscles, and tendons to provide a juicy and tender cut of meat! In fact, many people prefer tougher cuts of meat when using the sous vide cooking method because as they are broken down over time, more flavors are given off! Aside from pork, tougher cuts of meat can also include chicken breasts, chuck roast, turkey, and lamb.
Soup
The sous vide method is ideal when it comes to preparing more complex soups that are rich in flavor. As soups are cooked using the sous vide method, they’re cooked low and slow, meaning that the individual flavors from each ingredient will make their way into the dish. Examples of some great soup options for your next family dinner can include creamy potato soup, tomato soup, creamy pumpkin soup, chicken noodle soup, and so much more.
The options are truly endless when it comes to cooking your family a dinner using the sous vide method. If you have a knack for all things cooking, then the sous vide method may be a great option for you to consider. It will help you to deliver consistently cooked and delicious dinners to your family each and every time!
