The pork kidney is a glandular organ that is often secured from a young animal, which helps to ensure a tender cut of meat as well as a mild taste. The best recipes involving pork kidneys include combining the kidneys with a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Here are a few examples of tasty ways to prepare pork kidneys.
One of the easiest methods of preparing pork kidneys for inclusion in a number of entrees is to thinly slice the kidneys. Scoring the sliced sections of the kidney will also help to allow the natural juices of the meat to escape and mingle with the other ingredients in the dish. The slices can be sautéed with onions, which allows the flavor of the onions to seep into the kidney slices. Once the pork kidneys are cooked through, adding a selection of sliced vegetables will create a tasty and attractive dish. Some examples of vegetables to add include carrots, zucchini, various colors of bell peppers, and celery.
In some cultures, pork kidneys may be used to create a pork pie that includes sections of fruit, such as pears, apples, or mangoes. The slices of kidney are cooked first, and the slices of fruit are added to the pan and allowed to soften. Once the combination is the proper consistency, the mixture is spooned into a thin pastry and allowed to bake until the crust is a golden brown.
Pork kidneys can also be cubed and stir fried to mix with Chinese vegetables and served over fried or saffron rice. The process is no different from stir frying slices of chicken or beef, and helps to add a slightly different flavor to an old favorite.
Choosing pork kidneys for recipes involves inspecting the quality and color of the raw kidney. Look for a color that is a pale reddish brown, and even across the surface of the kidney. This indicates that the kidney is from a young animal, and will have a mild taste that works well with other ingredients. Pork kidneys are usually sold in the meat section of supermarkets, and are available as whole kidneys as well as pre-sliced.
