Why is my pork so chewy?

Raistlin · 14-07-2005, 19:02

Here's a question for any budding chefs out there.

Pork Chow Mein, with ginger, onion, garlic, and noodles.

Sounds like it should be ok right?

Well, it tastes great.

The problem is that the pork is quite tough.....

Any thoughts on what went wrong?

Angua · 14-07-2005, 19:04

Either not sliced thinly enough or over cooked (I think!)

Raistlin · 14-07-2005, 19:05

Sliced pretty thinly, might be overcooked then..... Should have put the onions in sooner.

Thanks for that

AndrewJ · 14-07-2005, 19:09

*boing* rubber chops anyone?

*hides*

**Maggy J** · 14-07-2005, 19:10

I've noticed this about pork recently..I think that the farmers have changed the way they raise pigs or summat.I've given up on pork chops because they are so damned tough.They are very tasteless as well.

Raistlin · 14-07-2005, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxodriver

*boing* rubber chops anyone?

*hides*

I'll give you flippin' Karate chops in a minute mate

AndrewJ · 14-07-2005, 19:16

Angua · 14-07-2005, 19:30

I suspect the problem is the amount of water that is pumped in

14-07-2005, 19:37

how did you slice the pork? did you go with the grain or against? if you cut against the grain the connective tissues tighten and make the meat tough(specially when cooked quick). Obviously as mentioned over cooking can do this also

Raistlin · 14-07-2005, 19:39

I didn't, it was sliced when I bought it.....that could be the cause then...

purenuman · 14-07-2005, 19:48

Why is my pork so chewy?

I soooo thought this would be a dodgy thread........

..........It's why I'm here!

Raistlin · 14-07-2005, 19:51

Awww C'mon..... you should know me better than that by now

purenuman · 14-07-2005, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Awww C'mon..... you should know me better than that by now

I'm off to find a proper smutty thread!!!

.....and I'm taking my chewy pork with me

Jules · 14-07-2005, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by purenuman

I'm off to find a proper smutty thread!!!

.....and I'm taking my chewy pork with me

Oh the things i could say to that.........

Pork gets chewy if it is over cooked but I have also noticed that it is getting chewier

makikomi · 14-07-2005, 20:32

Just an idea that my Dad heard about when he was in the USA.

He went out to eat and had a large steak which was gorgeously tender. He asked how they managed to make it so tender, and the chef came out to see him.

Apparently, the chef squeezes lemon juice on the steak and leaves it to soak in before cooking it. It helps the meat to relax/loosen, meaning that it wasn't chewy when cooked.

Maybe the same idea might work with pork?