CAREFUL COOKING PREVENTS DRYNESS
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA
Emu meat is a delicious, naturally low-fat red meat, a plus
for the health- conscious consumer. Because emu meat is so low in
fat, it requires careful cooking to avoid becoming dry.
- As a general rule, emu meat should be cooked to an internal
temperature of 150 and 160 degrees F (66 - 71 C). This will cook
emu steaks and roasts to "rare" or "medium rare."
Longer cooking will cause it to become dry.
- Grilling works well with these meats. They can also be
roasted, braised, stir-fried and otherwise used in recipes, as
you would beef.
- Emu is good smoked, if you have a smoker. First soak
in brine for at least two, but no more than six hours. It is especially
good cold, after smoking.
- Try marinating it for a couple of hours, refrigerated,
in a little wine or stock and fresh herbs and garlic before cooking.
- Add a dry rub on these meats, then let them sit in the
refrigerator for a couple of hours before grilling. Here are two
possible dry-rub combinations: cumin, different peppers and garlic;
allspice, clove and ginger, perhaps some brandy.
- You can also use prepared packaged spice mixes as a dry
rub. Some possibilities: taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, fajita
seasoning or honey- Dijon powder dressing.
The following are the best cooking methods for various cuts
of emu meat:
| Cooking Method |
Meat Cut |
| Dry Heat |
fan fillet
flat fillet
mid drum
inside fillet |
| Moist Heat |
outside drum
round
inside drum
rump |
| Ground/processed |
oyster
other drum cuts
outside fillet |
|