The liver of animals is a dish that many people enjoy. Not only is it unique in taste and nutritious, but it is also believed to be good for the body according to the principle of "like cures like." However, some people avoid eating it because it can be troublesome to cook. So, how can you eat animal liver without getting poisoned?
Five Principles for Cooking Animal Liver
Principle 1: Choose a Healthy Liver
When purchasing, you should select the liver of livestock or poultry that has passed quarantine. The liver of animals that died from illness or of unknown cause must never be eaten. A healthy animal's liver is reddish-brown, smooth and glossy, soft and tender. With a little pressure, a finger can be inserted into the cut part. When cooked, it is flavorful and tender.
Principle 2: Wash Thoroughly
Washing a liver is not the same as washing regular vegetables. At a minimum, it should be soaked in water for 30 minutes until the blood seeps out, then repeatedly rinsed clean in fresh water. If you need to cook it immediately, you can also cut the liver into pieces, gently rub and wash it in clean water, and then rinse it thoroughly under running water.
Principle 3: Always Cook It Through Completely
Many dishes are edible when seven-tenths cooked, such as cabbage, cilantro, and lettuce, but the liver should not be eaten undercooked. It must be cooked thoroughly (until the pork liver is completely grayish-brown with no visible blood streaks) to ensure it is safe to eat.
Principle 4: Do Not Consume with Vitamin C
Animal liver is rich in trace elements such as zinc, manganese, and copper. If consumed with vitamin C tablets, a chemical reaction can occur, oxidizing the vitamin C into dehydroascorbic acid and causing it to lose its normal efficacy.
Principle 5: Consume in Moderation
Using pork liver as an example, consuming it twice a week, 50-100 grams each time, can meet the body's needs for iron and vitamin A.
Principle 6: Eat Less of Other Foods High in Saturated Fatty Acids
When eating animal liver, especially pork liver, you should eat less of other foods high in saturated fatty acids, such as animal fat, fatty meat, cream, butter, and whole milk, to avoid the saturated fatty acids in these foods promoting the absorption of cholesterol from the pork liver. You can eat some soybeans and soy products along with pork liver, because the stigmasterol they contain has a similar structure to cholesterol and can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol.