Meat processing technology comprises steps and procedures in the manufacture of processed meat products. Processed meat products, which are of various types, are food of animal origin which contribute valuable protein to human diet.
All processed meat products have been in one way or another physically and/or chemically treated.
This treatment goes beyond the simple cutting of meat into meat cuts or meat pieces with subsequent cooking for meat dishes in order to make the meat palatable. Meat processing involves a wide range of physical and chemical treatment methods.
- Meat Processing Technologies these include the following;
i. Cutting or chopping or comminuting
(size reduction)
ii. Mixing or tumbling
iii. Salting or curing
Iv. Utilisation of species or non-meat additives
V. Stuffing or filling into casings or other containers
Vi. Fermenting and drying
Vii. Heat treatment
Viii. Smoking
Equipments needed for meat processing
- Meat grinder or mincer
- Bowl cutter
- Filing machine
- Clipping machine
- Smoke Houses
- Brine injector
- Tumbler or massager
- Vacuum packing machine
- Mixer or blender
- Emulsifying machine
By- products of Meat
MEAT PIE
Meat pie is a delicious snack, filled with pre- 1. cooked vegetables (usually potatoes and carots) and minced meat.
Meat Pie Ingredients
Preparing the Meat Pie Filling.
- 300g of minced meat (ground beef)
- 1 medium sized onion
- I little garlic or garlic powder(optional)
- 3 medium-sized Irish potatoes
- I cooking spoonful of vegetable oil.
• Seasoning of choice e.g. Maggi cubes a teaspoon of thyme, a teaspoon of curry - 2 tablespoons of plain flour (to make a binder)
- Cool water-200ml(more or less)
- Salt to taste
Meat Pie Dough Materials
- 500g plain flour
- 250g of margarine
- ½ teaspoonful (a big pinch) of salt
- About 75ml cool water (or as needed to get a stiff dough).
Preparing Ingredients for Meat Pie
- Grind or mince the meat
- Chop or mince the onions and set aside Wash and scrape the carrots, peel the Irish potatoes, rinse the vegetables
(carrots and potatoes) and cut into very tiny cubes.
Directions for Making Meat Pie
- First step is to prepare the meat pie filling
Heat up the oil on medium heat, then add the chopped onions and garlic (garlic is optional). stir, fry a bit, add the minced meat to the pot and stir well till the minced meat loses its pink colour.
Now, add 1 cup of water to the pot, add the Maggi cube, thyme and curry. Cover the pot and leave it to boil for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, add the diced potatoes and, carrots. Salt to taste and leave to cook until the vegetables are done. Then dissolve two tablespoonfuls of the plain flour in half cup of cold water. Mix thoroughly and add the mixture to the meat pie filling in the pot, Stir well to get blended until well evaporated. Put off the heat and leave to cool.
- The second step is to prepare the dough.
i Break an egg, beat it and set aside for later use.
ii. Grease the oven tray that will be use, Do this by rubbing a little margarine inside the tray. This help to prevent the meat pies from burning.
Put the 500g of flour into a big bowl; add 1 teaspoonful of baking powder and a big pinch of salt. Mix well.
iv. Add the margarine (the margarine can be melted to make mixing easier) and mix thoroughly until the mixture looks more like breadcrumbs or sifted garri.
V Now, gradually, add a little water and keep on mixing until one gets a stiff dough.
vi. Knead the dough until it is smooth and leave it to rest for 5 minutes; then place on a lightly floured surface. At this stage, one can pre-heat the oven at 170°C and continue with the meat pies.
vii. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough on the table. It should not be too flat or too thick.
viii. With a circular shaped cutter, cut out some circles. One can make use of any clean object to get the desired size.
ix. Remove the excess dough, and then scoop some of the meat pie fillings and place in the centre of the circular cut dough. Do not add a lot of filling so that the meat pie will not look bumpy at the top.
X. Now, rub the whisked egg, on the edges of the dough being made. In place of the egg. one can make use of flour and water mix. This will prevent the meat pie from bursting while in the oven.
xi.
The next step is to fold one side of the circular dough to join the other part, to form a semi-circle. Use a fork to press the edge tight
and give the meat pie its unique design. Now transfer it into the greased tray and repeat this process for the remaining circles.
xii When all the meat pies are folded, rub the whisked egg on the surface of the meat pie, The egg helps to give the meat pie a golden sheen but this is optional
xiii. Place the meat pies in the preheated oven and leave to bake for 35minutes or until the meat pies are lightly brown.