What is force meat?

Forcemeat is a culinary term for a ground, seasoned mixture of meat, often with other ingredients like bread, vegetables, or fat. It's essentially a meat paste that can be shaped and cooked in various ways.

Here's what makes it unique:

* Highly Versatile: It can be used for stuffing poultry, making sausages, shaping into patties, or even used as a filling for pastries.

* Flavorful & Rich: The combination of ground meat, seasonings, and often fat creates a rich and flavorful base for dishes.

* Requires Careful Handling: It needs to be worked and mixed thoroughly to ensure an even texture and prevent it from becoming too dense or grainy.

Types of Forcemeat:

* Blanche: A very basic forcemeat made from finely ground meat, often veal or pork, with minimal additions.

* Farce: A more elaborate version that often includes breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices.

* Stuffing: A type of forcemeat specifically used for filling poultry or other dishes.

* Sausage Mixture: Forcemeat made with spices, herbs, and other ingredients, designed to be formed into sausages.

Examples of dishes using forcemeat:

* Chicken Kiev: Stuffed with a mixture of butter, herbs, and forcemeat.

* Bangers and Mash: Sausages made from forcemeat.

* Shepherd's Pie: Ground meat filling topped with mashed potatoes.

* Tournedos Rossini: Beef tenderloin topped with foie gras and a forcemeat made with truffles.

Forcemeat is a classic culinary technique used to create delicious and satisfying dishes. Its versatility allows for endless creative possibilities in the kitchen.