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The Keg’s is one of Canada’s most popular restaurants. A quick look at their menu shows that they serve various foods, including burgers, ribs, and steak.
But does The Keg use sous vide?” “Sous vide” is the French term for “under vacuum.”
This technique involves cooking food in a sealed bag inside the water that has raised temperatures to the desired levels. In this way, heat distribution is even.
Thus, overcooking or drying out any part of the dish is not possible. It seems like it would be a good fit for their dishes because it cooks them evenly and gives them more flavor.
Restaurants often have stringent requirements for the food they serve, including food that must be fresh and safe to eat. Tender, juicy meat is necessary. The texture of the fish must be flaky. Crispy vegetables are necessary.
Sous vide solves all of these problems because it cooks food evenly without overcooking or drying out any part of the dish. This is why sous vide is becoming so popular in restaurants.
What is Sous Vide Cooking?
Sous vide cooking, or “under vacuum” in French, involves sealing food in airtight plastic bags or jars. You then immerse them in water that has the temperature raised to a precise level.
The technique allows delicate foods like fish to cook at high temperatures without being over-cooked. Also, they are not dried out because the heat circulates the food, so there are no hot spots.
And because you seal all ingredients inside their little bag, they don’t get any contact with oxygen. It means they won’t oxidize as quickly when exposed on top of one another in a pot or pan.
The technique was initially developed in the 1960s by Georges Pralus, who built a water bath that could hold food at precise temperatures and use pumps to circulate warm water around it.
This allowed him to cook foie gras and other rich foods for longer than ever before (up to 72 hours!) without drying them out.
Sous vide isn’t new, but it’s growing in popularity, especially among restaurant cooks. Primarily that’s because sous vide allows chefs to pick a precise temperature.
They then hold food there for as long as they want (up to 72 hours!). This will enable them to slow-cook meats or other foods without any risk of overcooking or drying out.
Because sous vide cooking uses a water bath to control the food’s temperature, it also allows for authentic dishes.
How to Use Sous Vide Machine
First, you place the sealed food into the water at the appropriate temperature. It could be around 160-205 degrees Fahrenheit for meats and most vegetables.
The vacuum sealer will inject air into the pouch or container, which will keep it from boiling when submerged in water. You may also need to sear your food halfway through the process if you want to add flavor.
Second, you check on your food regularly and stir it if needed during cooking time. Many dishes take several hours to prepare this way.
Finally, once the food has completed cooking, you remove it from the pouch and sear it using a small blowtorch or stove. This will add flavor as well as brown color to your item.
When choosing how long to cook sous vide foods, several factors come into play:
- Type of food – there are different variations for each class, so you need to know these options before beginning.
- Preparation – trimming and peeling will all eliminate the time needed in this step, but it can affect the texture and quality of your dish as well.
- Size and thickness – thicker pieces take longer to cook than thinner ones, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
The Benefits of Sous Vide Cooking
Sous vide machines have plenty of advantages. The sous vide is among the best kitchen appliances nowadays because it helps preserve valuable nutrients and vitamins from cooking food.
Standard benefits:
- It’s a healthy cooking technique.
- You can cook your food to the perfect temperature.
- It helps maintain the flavor, texture, and moisture of foods.
Emotional benefits:
- Your dish will be delicious every time with this cooking method.
- You’ll have more control over your final product with this technique.
- It’s an easy way to cook meat to the perfect temperature.
- This technique allows you to make dishes with precision. Meaning, you know what will happen without risking any surprises along the way.
Cooking Various Types of Steaks with Sous Vide
This cooking method ensures that you cook the meat evenly while retaining its natural juices. This will result in tender and flavorful meals.
Restaurants often use sous vide for cooked steak because it provides a more consistent texture than traditional grilling or pans searing methods.
These methods can overcook the outside before the inside finishes cooking.
The sous vide process also allows precise control over doneness temperatures (145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium rare steaks).
This is particularly useful in restaurants because it helps to ensure food safety and consistency for customers.
This method of cooking steak has become very popular with chefs and home cooks alike, so much that you can purchase sous vide machines at a reasonable cost.
However, the process can be time-consuming. The meat must first be vacuum sealed, and then it must simmer over a long period of approximately twenty to thirty-six hours, depending on its thickness and temperature.
Some restaurants have begun offering sous-vide steaks as an alternative to traditional cooking methods such as grilling or searing.
Due to its popularity with home cooks and professional chefs, sous vide are becoming more common.
Several restaurants have also begun using sous vide for cooking their signature dishes. For example, New York City’s Saxon + Parole offers lobster cooked in sous vide water bath.
In previous years, many restaurants didn’t employ sous vide because of the high cost and long cooking times.
However, technology has advanced to a point where home cooks and restaurants can take advantage of this cooking method without breaking the budget or sacrificing flavor.
The Keg’s Stance on the Use of Sous Vide in Their Restaurant
The Keg’s has an open-door approach to the use of sous vide in their restaurant. They are always looking for new ways to create innovative, delicious dishes.
This cooking technique is a great way to maintain moisture and flavor in their dish, which means they can get the most satisfaction from every meal.
Every dish that comes out of their kitchen has been through precise sous vide cooking, and their chefs are constantly experimenting with the technique to understand it’s potential better.
So, does The Keg’s use sous vide? The answer is definitely YES!
The fact that sous vide cooking is now available at home means the possibilities for great meals are endless and easily accessible.
It’s no wonder they has incorporated this approach into their recipes!