Beef cheeks

[thoughtforfood75]

Hello folks! I bought a couple of pounds of beef cheeks and was wondering....how does one clean beef cheeks. The cheeks have this membrane on them with spikes......

[thoughtforfood75]

Thanks everyone!! I ended up using a sharp knife and while there was lots of SWEARING, I managed to do an ok job. Next time, I will leave it to the butcher :)

[joonjoon]

I've only cooked beef cheeks a couple times but I didn't bother cleaning it...did I miss something?

[ipsedixit]

Sometimes the butcher will clean them for you.

[luckyfatima]

I usually ask the butcher to clean the beef cheeks but if I see any connective tissue left over, since I usually cook this whole to the point where it is falling apart, I just remove any odd bits when it is done. They are easy to see and come right out.

[paulj]

When there's a layer of tough connective tissue on a piece of meat, I work it loose on one side, and layer the tough tissue down on the board, and with a sawing motion cut along that surface, lifting off the muscle.

Another option is to cook it membrane and all. With long enough cooking it will soften to a chewy gelatin texture. Even if I cut the membrane off, I'd still simmer it with the meat, just to add some gelatin to the broth.

[ipsedixit]

With a sharp knife.

And lots of patience if you are not facile with your knife-work.