The Meat

We Eat
University of Florida

Meat Cookery Project

PREPARED BY
JULY 23, 2023
BIBEK TAMANG
Acknowledgement
Dear Professor Chad Carr,

I want to take this opportunity to express my sense gratitude for your dedication and hard
work. I was able to learn numerous things about the meat we eat. Although we had to
class through Coursera staying online I found it very effective. Despite the challenges of
remote learning, you have made the subject engaging and accessible. I would also like to
thank Coursera for creating this kind of platform where students like me can learn a lot
from a country like Nepal. Thank you for all that you do.

Sincerely,
Bibek Tamang
Table of Content
Acquiring
Storing
Unpackaging
Cooking the dish
Handling the leftover
Meat Cookery Project

For the completion of the online course The Meat We Eat, I am going to prepare chicken
breast served with butter-sauteed vegetables, mushroom puree, and pan sauce. The
chicken breast goes very well with vegetables and this one is my personal favourite recipe
for cooking chicken. The ingredients which I will be using are chicken breast, salt pepper,
carrot, mushroom, butter, oil, fresh cream, and chicken stock.

Acquiring
I have purchased a packet of chicken breast which weighs 500gm from a departmental
store. The price for 500gm of chicken was NRP 600 ($4.6). The chicken breast is a
product of Nina and Hager Meat Products. The chicken breast is intact and packaged in
vacuum-sealed packaging. The product has been well-labelled by the manufacturer. The
chicken breast was stored at a temperature of -21 degree centigrade at the store. The
boneless chicken breast was processed under German technology in Lalitpur, Nepal since
1990.

Storage of chicken breast at deaprtmental store

Storing

Storing fresh chicken breast is important to maintain its quality and safety. Raw chicken
should be stored in its original packaging or an airtight container on the bottom shelf of
the refrigerator, away from other foods. Using fresh chicken within 1-2 days of purchasing
it is best. It is recommended to freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag at a
temperature between 38-40 degrees F. The safest way to defrost chicken is to remove it
from the freezer, put it in a container, and put it on a low shelf in a refrigerator for at least
24 hours or until no longer frozen. This method keeps the chicken at a safe, cool
temperature while it defrosts. Avoid thawing it at room temperature to prevent the growth
of any kind of bacteria. If have chosen to thaw it using tap water.

Thawing Chicken
Unpackaging

To unpackaged chicken breast bought from a department store, Ihave followed following
steps:
1. Wash your hands and the area where you will be unpackaging the chicken.
2. Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard the packaging.
3. Place the chicken on a clean plate or cutting board.
4. Use a sharp knife to remove any excess fat or skin.
5. Rinse the chicken under cold water.
6. Pat dry with paper towels.
7. Cook the chicken immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
8. It should be stored away from other foods.

Washing Hands before unpackaging

Cooking the dish

I am making chicken breast served with butter sauteed vegetables, mushroom puree, and
pan sauce. Marinade chicken breast well with salt and pepper. Cooking chicken in a frying
pan is a good way to ensure it's juicy and tender, as we are less likely to overcook it than in
the oven. Heat the pan with oil. Sear the chicken over medium heat. As the chicken breast
is intact it should be cooked up to 160 degrees F. The chicken breast should be well
cooked and have golden brown colour on both sides.

Marinated Breast Mushroom Puree

Cooking to ideal temperature

Final Dish
Handling the leftover

When handling leftover cooked chicken breast, the following steps should be followed:
1. Allow the chicken to cool down before storing it in the fridge.
2. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container.
3. Label the container or bag with the date it was stored.
4. Use leftover chicken within 3-4 days if stored in the fridge, or within 2-6 months if
stored in the freezer.
5. Reheat leftover chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F before eating to ensure the
food is safe to consume.
By following these steps, you can safely enjoy leftover cooked chicken breast without the
risk of foodborne illness.

To sum up everything, the report was prepared for the completion of the online course
"The Meat We Eat " offered by Coursera. The whole course is designed to deliver a more
informed consumer about the quality, safety, healthfulness, and sustainability of muscle
foods. I have prepared chicken breast following the knowledge that I have gathered
through this course. The course discusses the acquisition, storage, unpackaging, cooking
the meat, and handling the leftover. I have tried my best to make an attempt to cook
chicken breast to the best of my knowledge.