0

I previously asked How to make chicken absorb more salt when cooking a soup? on how to make the chicken in my soup absorb more salt water, as I have noticed that the amount of absorption changes in some days. Note that the recipe is simple: Add 1.5 liter water, 1 kilogram chicken, and 8 grams of salt in a pot; bring to boil; simmer and eat. There are no vegetables.

The major reason the answerer gave was pore size influenced by freezing. Initially I thought he hit the nail, as I do recall the few days the absorption was good were the days I had taken it from the freezer.

Having been using frozen chicken since then, however, the absorption doesn't seem to be occuring while cooking. I am thinking that perhaps it is due to the way the chicken is being frozen. Factors I have thought about include:

  1. If the chicken's skin isn't removed, the freezing doesn't open pores effectively. (However, I sometimes have removed the skin, then frozen the chicken; yet, this didn't help.)
  2. Perhaps the duration of freezing makes the difference. (I used some old chicken, and it didn't work either.)
  3. Sometimes I have cut the chicken into small pieces, where the inner parts of the chicken becomes visible; perhaps, the crystals should only form around the chicken surface, if that is where the pores are.
  4. If I put the chicken in a bag, and tightened, the ice crystals do not form on the chicken hence pore sizes do not open.

Having done a fair bit of testing, I cannot seem to get these pores to open via freezing, which should then lead to high absorption of salt water when cooking. I didn't brine on the days when there was good absorption, so I think the answer has to do with freezing, although I could be wrong.

Do you think it is an issue of freezing, and it might be something about the way I am freezing?

1
  • just wanted to add another factor, perhaps the shop I am buying from have loaded the chicken with something? However I doubt this is the case as I bougt from their today(unfreezed) and it didn't absorb any salt so I'm still leaning towards freezing. Commented Nov 26, 2011 at 20:36

2 Answers 2

1

I think your best bet is to change your recipe. While trying to figure out the exact process that sometimes makes your soup work does indeed sound like an interesting science project, it doesn't sound like its going to yield a reliable recipe. Especially since you've got to deal with supermarket chicken from suppliers that may change their processing procedures whenever it suites them—maybe even from package to package, depending on which plant it came from, or the specifics of the chickens the plant processed that day.

There are easy, reliable ways to get salt into chicken. The following two will get you salty chicken, every time you do it:

  • Put your chicken (chopped up or whole) in the fridge submerged in a 13% brine for a day, and you'd at that point have chicken which would be (once cooked) inedibly salty (among other problems).
  • You could chop your chicken fairly thin, and pack it (again in the fridge) in kosher salt. Then it'd become dry, and also very salty.

Of course, that'll be far more salty than you want. So you'll want to scale back—use a 5–6% brine, put it in only for a few hours, etc. But that will get flavorful chicken every time.

Then, to keep your soup base from being salty:

  • rinse the brined or salted chicken before adding to the soup (to remove any salt resting on the surface)
  • keep salting of the soup to a minimum.
  • don't overcook the chicken, that'll force more liquid from it.
  • make sure to use low-sodium chicken broth. Normal store-bought broth/stock is pretty salty.
  • if too much salt leaches from the chicken, cook the chicken separately and drain it.

</rant>

edit: random suggestions since the above apparently doesn't work

  • Commercially, many things are quick-frozen (e.g., fish) to prevent ice crystal damage. It would seem to follow then, that since you're trying to cause ice crystal damage, you want to freeze as slowly as possible. Easy way to do this would be (assuming your chicken is already under 40°F e.g., in the fridge) to insulate it before throwing it in the freezer. So, put it in a freezer bag, but then wrap the freezer bag in some kitchen towels, then toss that in the freezer.
  • In previously-frozen (commercially) chicken, there may be some anti-ice-crystal additives, I have no idea. Previously-frozen isn't always sold frozen. Check the package, it should say (probably in tiny print).
  • You could try a second thaw/freeze cycle (just make sure to thaw in the fridge, or in cold water, not the microwave, for food safety reasons—keep it under 40°F). This will certainly increase the effects of freezing (and would normally be avoided for flavor and texture reasons)
  • This isn't freezing, but may accomplish the same goal: you could try one of the 40+-blade meat tenderizers.

Also, as a final note, it turns out that a lo of how we (humans) perceive flavor has nothing to do with the food. The ambiance, how we're feeling that day, etc. affect perceived flavor substantially. Keep this in mind, since you're not using e.g., a salinity meter, its possible you're chasing down differences that aren't due to the food itself.

5
  • Apoligise, I understand where your coming from, however this is not an answer to the question(freezing and pores). Having tried brining, it still seeems to upset my stomach. Comparing tastes with brined and my random soup, brine tastes more salty although the other soup taste more well distributed, tender and succulent. The only method which works for me is a normal soup with whatever factor causes the higher absorbtion to occur. This is why I must find the cause, it is the only food which my stomach seems to tolerate/heal with. My quess is it is due to freezing factors. Commented Nov 27, 2011 at 16:08
  • No apologies required, though I think I'll edit my question and add in a few suggestions for things that might make your freezing approach work better..
    – derobert
    Commented Nov 28, 2011 at 12:49
  • Having left some chicken in a freezer unrapped, ice crystals now seem to have developed all over it. Cooked it the next day and it seems to have absorbed more salt throughout although not alot more. So perhaps that is the answer. If your food is wrapped in a bag less crystals will form around it hence less denaturing. Commented Nov 29, 2011 at 19:45
  • Should have added, my guess is that if i live it frozen fo longer it may absorb even moe salt. Commented Nov 29, 2011 at 23:25
  • @JamesWilson: I wonder if with freezing it unwrapped, what is actually happening is that you're dehydrating it somewhat. Those ice crystals are water escaping from the chicken after all. Smaller pieces, say spread on a jellyroll pan, ought to hasten that process. You could also try wrapping in paper towels, that may draw out even more moisture. This is an interesting science project :-P ... also, if its moisture loss, that's easy to measure with a scale (compare before and after weights).
    – derobert
    Commented Nov 30, 2011 at 0:29
0

Maybe the freezing process is drying out the chicken and that effects the salt absorption, but I don't really know. If you're freezing the chicken yourself, make sure it is well wrapped (food-saver if you have one, or wrapped snugly in plastic wrap and then foil).

Also - are you controlling the source of the chicken? Some brands of commercial, supermarket chicken are injected with salt water, so if you're using different chicken one or the other could have been salted before you got it home. Aside from flavor, they do this to increase the weight, so they can make more money. Check the labels carefully. (This excess water can cause problems with stir-frying, BTW.)

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.