Cow foot: The tasty beef cut you need to try

In the world of beef cuts, some names evoke instant recognition and culinary excitement - sirloin, ribeye, and filet mignon, to name a few. However, there's a lesser-known gem that deserves a place on your plate and in your heart: cow foot. This oft-overlooked cut of beef has been cherished by connoisseurs and food lovers around the world for its unique flavour, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and versatility in a variety of culinary traditions. Whether you're an adventurous foodie or simply looking to expand your culinary horizons, cow foot might just be the tasty revelation you've been waiting for.

What is Cow Foot?

Cow foot, as the name suggests, is the culinary term for the feet of cattle or cows. These cuts are typically from the lower leg, specifically the hoof and lower portion of the leg, and they include the bones, tendons, and some meat. Cow foot is used in various culinary traditions around the world, particularly in Caribbean, African, Asian, and Latin American cuisines.

What Does Cow Foot Taste Like?

Cow foot has a unique taste and texture that sets it apart from more common cuts of beef. The flavour of cow foot is often described as rich, savoury, and slightly gamy. It has a depth of taste that comes from the combination of the meat, tendons, and bones, which release their flavours when slowly cooked. The gelatinous quality of the collagen in cow foot gives it a silky, mouth-coating texture that adds to its appeal.

Benefits of Eating Cow Feet

Why should you be eating cow feet? Let's explore some of the benefits associated with consuming this odd beef cut:

Rich Source of Collagen

Cow foot is abundant in collagen, a structural protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues. Consuming collagen-rich foods like cow feet may contribute to healthier skin and joint support.

Nutrient Density

Cow foot contains essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. It provides a good amount of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.

Flavour Enhancement:

When used in cooking, cow foot can add depth and richness to dishes due to its gelatinous quality. It can enhance the flavour and texture of stews, soups, and broths, making meals more satisfying.

Gelatin Benefits

The gelatin derived from cow feet can be used in various culinary applications, including desserts, candies, and as a gelling agent. Gelatin is also believed to have potential health benefits, such as promoting digestive health and aiding in joint health.

How Much Protein is in Cow Feet?

Cow foot already appears to be such an interesting part of beef to try but another question to be answered is just how much protein it contains and whether it is comparable in quantity to the other cuts of beef. Well on average, a 100-gram serving of cooked cow feet contains approximately 16-20 grams of protein, making it a great source of protein. Cow feet also contain a high collagen content, a protein that is not as protein-rich as the meat itself but contributes to the texture and gelatinous quality of the dish

Preparing Cow Feet For Cooking (Cow Foot Instructions)

You can't just go straight ahead and throw cow feet into your pot, bear in mind it is the part of the cow that has been in most contact with the ground and why you may purchase cuts that have been cleaned properly, let's show you how to prepare your cow feet.

Cleaning Cow Foot

Start by rinsing the cow foot under cold running water to remove any loose dirt or debris.

You can choose to soak the cow foot in a mixture of water and vinegar for a couple of hours. This can help remove any residual odours and enhance the cleaning process. Rinse thoroughly after soaking.

Trimming and Cutting

Now it's time to remove the unwanted parts from your meat. Place the cow foot on a clean cutting board.

Using a sharp knife, trim any excess fat or connective tissue from the cow foot. Be careful while handling the knife and the tough toe hoof.

Cut the cow foot into manageable-sized pieces, usually 2 to 3 inches in length. This makes it easier to cook and serve.

Boiling

To further clean and tenderize your beef feet before cooking, you can blanch it by briefly boiling it. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.

Add the cow foot pieces to the boiling water and let them cook for about 5-10 minutes. This can help remove any remaining impurities and reduce the strong odour sometimes associated with cow feet.

After boiling, drain cow foot pieces and rinse them under cold water and now your cow foot is ready to be used in your recipes.

How To Cook Cow Feet

Now we'll explore two great recipes you can try out with cow feet, the famous Cow Foot Soup and the Jamaican Brown Stew Cow Foot.

Cow Foot Soup Recipe

Cow foot soup is a hearty and flavourful dish enjoyed in various culinary traditions, especially in the Caribbean and parts of Africa.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of cleaned and prepared cow feet
• Water (enough to cover the cow feet)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 sprigs of thyme
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to your desired level of spiciness)
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2-3 green bananas, peeled and sliced
• 2-3 dumplings (optional)
• Seasoning (salt and black pepper to taste)
• Lime or lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

After prepping your cow feet, in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat.

Add the cow feet pieces and brown them on all sides. This step adds flavour to the soup.

Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions become translucent.

Pour in enough water to cover the cow feet by an inch or two. Bring it to a boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook slowly for about 2-3 hours or until the cow feet are tender. You may need to add more water during cooking to maintain the desired soup consistency.

Add the sliced carrots, cubed potatoes, green bananas, and dumplings (if using). Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Add your seasoning to the soup the salt and pepper will help improve the flavour of the dish too. Add the whole Scotch bonnet peppers for flavor as well but be cautious about their spiciness; you can remove them later if you want less heat.

Serve your cow foot soup hot, garnished with lime or lemon wedges. You can also remove the Scotch bonnet peppers before serving if you want to reduce the spiciness.

How to Cook Jamaican Brown Stew Cow Foot

Here's another great recipe for you to try, Jamaican Cow Foot Brown Stew is a delightful and flavorful dish that's a favorite in Jamaican cuisine. It's typically made with tenderized cow foot that is slowly simmered into a rich, aromatic brown stew sauce. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare Jamaican Brown Stew Cow Foot:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of cleaned and prepared cow feet
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2-3 scallions, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups water
• Seasoning (salt and black pepper to taste)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Lime juice or lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

Make sure the flesh is cleaned and trimmed as mentioned earlier.

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat.

Add the cow feet pieces and brown them on all sides. This step adds depth of flavour to the stew.

Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onions become translucent.

Add the chopped scallions, bell pepper, tomatoes, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Mix in the thyme, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to coat the cow feet and vegetables with the seasonings.

Pour in 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 2-2.5 hours or until the cow feet is tender. You may need to add more water during cooking to maintain the desired consistency.

Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. You can also adjust the spiciness by adding more Scotch bonnet pepper or by removing the seeds and membrane from the pepper to reduce heat.

Serve Jamaican Cow Foot Brown Stew hot with white rice, garnished with lime or lemon wedges.

Where To Buy Cow Feet

You can purchase cow feet from various sources, including local butchers, speciality meat markets, and some grocery stores. Here at our African Food Store, we sell fresh and properly cleaned cow feet for you to purchase