We know that oil and vinegar don’t mix, but what about milk and meat? It might not be a question that often occurs to you, especially if you’re not into cooking, or that much into eating for that matter. Even if it’s off for some people and not to their liking, there are lots of common dishes that most of us have tried that use both meat and dairy products.
Great curry sauce for meat or chicken dishes uses coconut milk, for instance. Have you tried lasagna in an Italian restaurant, lately? That minced meat in lasagna is covered with creamy white sauce as well as Parmesan cheese. Actually, a quick search online can give you over 96,000 meat recipes that incorporate milk, and that’s just from one site!
A religious Interpretation
Some religions don’t approve of the mix. The Torah states, “Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.” The kid, here, refers to any young animal and not just a goat. One explanation for this prohibition is that it’s cruel to cook a baby in the very milk that was intended to nourish it. Although this interpretation may fall short in the eyes of many, we do know the rule might have merit for health reasons. Milk takes longer to digest, and mixing the two together might cause digestive problems if you’re prone to them.
The stigma
There is a stigma about the mix of meat and dairy, or having a rich and creamy dessert right after a hefty, meaty meal. Maybe you remember your mom telling you not to drink milk after a meat dish. The major stigma is due to the content of high proteins and fats, and their correlation to cholesterol levels.
Try not to consume above the amounts of proteins and fats that are recommended in dietary guidelines, and there should be no problems. This is, of course, assuming you’re not chugging down a gallon of milk with an entire lamb roast!
Saturated fats
The American Heart Association recommends that saturated fats should not constitute more than 7% of the total calories consumed within a day. Saturated fats make us more prone to heart attacks and strokes. The best way to understand the correlation between meat and milk is to look at the saturated fats in each one separately.
Healthy meats
Pork tenderloins are considered healthy because they’re low in calories and high in vitamin B. On the other hand, bacon not so healthy, being very high in fat and sodium. Chicken is healthy, while chicken nuggets are a no-no. Turkey is considered a healthy pheasant, while ducks are better left in the pond they’re at. All this can show you that it can get confusing when different meats, from the same animal, can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the preparation.
We can all give thanks on Thanksgiving Day that a delicious turkey is healthy to consume! And when you’re picking out a turkey, you’ll want one that comes from a reputable farm. You might prefer looking for pastured turkeys because they’re allowed to roam free, and they’re free of hormones and antibiotics. They have a rich flavor and firm texture.
If you live in the UK, Morton’s farm should be one supplier to look into because Morton’s Traditional Taste sets the benchmark for all other UK suppliers. Organic farms don’t mass-produce meats, so forget about finding their products in run-of-the-mill or even gourmet supermarkets. Everything is free-range and fresh, so you’re guaranteed a healthy turkey delivered straight to your door, or if you want, you can visit the farm and pick one out.
Healthy cheeses
Saturated fats will vary greatly in cheeses. One ounce of cheddar cheese is composed of 9.4 grams of saturated fat, while Swiss or Parmesan has 7 grams. Ricotta, if made from skimmed milk, will have less than both. You can substitute high-fat cheese with low-fat alternatives, and still add great taste to your food.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://pixabay.com/photos/cheese-breakfast-food-1972744/
Putting aside religious explanations, if they don’t apply to your beliefs, the idea of meat and milk is really more about your digestive system. If you have digestive problems, you might want to go a bit easier on the lasagna and wait a good while to have a dairy dessert after a meaty meal.
To lessen any negative effects, always have quality meat and poultry, and choose dairy products from trusted sources. The next thing you can do is to substitute foods with less saturated fats, and the last step is to enjoy a delicious turkey over Thanksgiving or Christmas!
