A question that many ask themselves, how to cook the mondongo without smell?

Surely at some point you have crossed the idea of using mondongo to prepare a particular dish, especially to prepare those exquisite and succulent dishes that we want so much when it is cold.

It is true that a stew, some milanesas or a locro de mondongo sounds very tempting, however so that you do not get disappointed in the attempt to prepare a dish with it, I am going to tell you a couple of secrets so that when cooking it does not give off that unpleasant smell that characterizes it. I’m also going to tell you some tricks to soften mondongo and not make it chewy.

Not everyone knows that the mondongo, being part of the belly of the cow, is characterized by having a slightly peculiar smell when cooked, to tell the truth that the smell it gives off is often quite repulsive.

In reality, the tripe is green, due to the grasses that the cow eats. Obviously, having that color would not appear to be very appetizing, so they bleach it and to do so they usually use hydrogen peroxide.

Tricks to cook the mondongo without smell

The truth is that delicious dishes can be prepared with it, so it is important that we know how to cook it. Before using it for a certain preparation, we must boil the mondongo no matter what. But the question is, how to boil mondongo without smell?

It is key to let it boil for approximately 2 hours, only in this way will we be able to soften it. Now, the truth is that imagining 2 hours of a smell as penetrating as the one it gives off in our kitchen, can discourage us a little. But don’t worry, how to boil the tripe without an unpleasant smell is very simple.

How to clean the mondongo

First of all, it is essential to wash it well to remove any kind of impurity. It is key that when you are going to choose it, try to select one that is not very large and that does not have any yellowish or half-greenish stains (it must be totally white).

Once we wash it with cold water, try to brush it as much as possible so as not to leave any kind of residue. Then we must degrease it, this can be done before boiling it or once it is cooked. In my case I prefer to do it once it is ready because it is easier for me.

Knowing these tricks are part of the secrets to boiling mondongo and being successful when preparing it, which will undoubtedly make this task easier for you.

Washing

As I mentioned before, a good wash is essential to finish removing any residue it may have. For a deeper wash, it should be brushed with lemon juice. Lemon has antibacterial properties that will help kill odor-producing bacteria.

How to soften pork shoulder with baking soda

We all know the power that this wonderful magic powder has to suppress certain smells and this will be no exception. Boiling the tripe with baking soda will give us the solution to the bad smell we were looking for.

You should calculate 3 to 4 tablespoons per liter of water, this will be the cheapest and easiest “remedy” against odor to use. In addition, it will not only suppress any type of smell, it will also help to cook the mondongo to soften it.

Lemon and Orange

Both lemon and orange are powerful odor neutralizers, being antibacterial and disinfectant they can eliminate any undesirable bacteria that the meat has.

We simply have to add a few slices of lemon or orange in the pot along with the tripe and we will have our problem solved. Many use the combination of these citrus fruits and a few tablespoons of baking soda to completely ensure the elimination of the odor.

White vinegar

We know how powerful white vinegar is when it comes to eliminating bacteria, adding half a cup of vinegar to the pot where we have the tripe, will be enough to remove the smell.

Many also choose to wash the mondongo and then let it soak with water and vinegar overnight. The next day they cook it in water directly, it would also be a good option to use this method.

Milk

Many choose to use milk, wash the mondongo and then leave it to macerate in it before cooking. In my opinion, this does not influence the smell, it does not take it away. It just makes the meat tender and then easier to cook, but that’s all.

As you will see, there are many ways to cook mondongo without smell. In any case, it would be a matter of trying the way you cook it and choosing which one you like best. The good thing is that none of the options that happen to you influences the flavor.

Although it is kind of tedious to have to wait for the tripe to cook for so long, I assure you that it is worth it, be sure to try it.