Andy Montoya
Head cheese is a meat jelly that originated in Europe and is now a speciality in Louisiana. Despite its name, it does not contain dairy products. It is made from the head of a calf or pig, including the cheek, tongue and fat. The cartilage and bone are boiled to make the jelly it's set in. Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin, and food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Meat from the head of a calf or pig, including the cheek, tongue and fat |
| Other ingredients | Gelatine, gelatin powder, food colouring |
| Optional ingredients | Brain, cartilage, bone |
| Does not contain | Dairy products, animal brains (in modern commercial production) |
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What You'll Learn
Head cheese is made from the head of a calf or pig
The name "head cheese" originated centuries ago when the dish was made using various animal head meat like brains, tongues, and other trimmings boiled in broth. However, modern commercial production of head cheese uses more appetizing cuts of meat. Brains are typically no longer used due to costs and unfavourable texture. Quality head cheese relies on tender cuts of fatty pork, chicken, or beef for the best consistency and flavour. Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin, as well as food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish rather than grey.
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It does not contain dairy products
Head cheese is a meat jelly that originated in Europe and is a specialty in Louisiana. Despite its name, it does not contain dairy products. It is made from the head of a calf or pig, specifically the cheek, tongue and fat. The cartilage and bone are boiled to make the jelly that it's set in. Brain is sometimes included, but this is optional.
Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin. It also has food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish rather than grey.
Quality head cheese relies on tender cuts of fatty pork, chicken or beef for the best consistency and flavour. Brains are typically no longer incorporated due to costs and unfavourable texture.
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It is a meat jelly
Head cheese is a meat jelly that originated in Europe and is now a speciality in Louisiana. Despite its name, it does not contain dairy products. It is made from the head of a calf or pig, including the cheek, tongue and fat. The cartilage and bone are boiled to make the jelly it's set in. Brain is sometimes included, but this is optional. Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin. It also has food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish.
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It is made from the cheek, tongue and fat of the animal
Head cheese is a meat jelly that originated in Europe and is now a speciality in Louisiana. Despite its name, it does not contain dairy products. It is made from the cheek, tongue and fat of a calf or pig. The cartilage and bone are also used to make the jelly that the meat is set in.
The name 'head cheese' comes from the fact that the dish was originally made using various animal head meat, including brains, tongues and other trimmings boiled in broth. However, modern commercial production of head cheese uses more appetising cuts of meat, such as tender cuts of fatty pork, chicken or beef. Brains are typically no longer used due to cost and texture.
Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin, as well as food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish. It is often served cold, as a substitute for deli meat in a sandwich, or on an artisan cheese and charcuterie plate.
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Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder
Head cheese is a meat jelly that originated in Europe and is now a speciality in Louisiana. Despite its name, it does not contain dairy products. It is made from the head of a calf or pig. The dish traditionally included animal brains, tongues and other trimmings boiled in broth, but modern commercially-made head cheese uses more appetising cuts of meat. Brains are no longer incorporated due to cost and texture. Quality head cheese relies on tender cuts of fatty pork, chicken or beef. Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder, a product made from pork and beef bones and skin. It also has food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish rather than grey. It is often served cold as a substitute for deli meat in a cold cut sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
Head cheese is made from the head of a calf or pig. It does not contain dairy products.
Traditional head cheese was made using various animal head meat like brains, tongues and other trimmings boiled in broth. Modern head cheese uses more appetising cuts of meat, such as the cheek, tongue and fat.
Head cheese is a meat jelly. Commercially-made head cheese often has gelatin powder added to it, which is made from pork and beef bones and skin.
Commercially-made head cheese has food colouring to make it pinkish or reddish, rather than grey.
