Brain Appetizer with Eggs and Spinach

 Ingredients: -500 g pig, veal, or lamb brain, fresh or frozen -1 tablespoon oil, for greasing the baking tray -2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, for the tray -2 tablespoons vinegar -1 teaspoon salt -about 150 g peas, frozen or canned -8 eggs -2 full tablespoons of sour cream / milk -½ teaspoon salt -½ teaspoon pepper, freshly ground -150 g chopped spinach, frozen (sautéed and seasoned) / 1 handful of spinach leaves (50 g) -60 g butter, cut into small cubes -100 g grated cheese (optional) -1 bunch of green onions, for serving (optional)

To prepare a delicious brain recipe, you will need to follow a few essential steps, ensuring that every detail is respected to achieve a savory dish. Start by letting the brain thaw, ideally from evening until morning, if you are using frozen brain. This way, it will be much easier to handle and prepare. Once the brain has thawed, line a heat-resistant or ceramic dish with a thin layer of oil and breadcrumbs, making sure to cover the sides of the dish as well.

Next, wash the brain under a stream of cold water, then let it sit for 60 minutes in a bowl of cold water to which you have added a tablespoon of vinegar. This step is essential to allow the blood to come out of the brain, thus contributing to a finer texture of the dish. After the time has passed, drain the brain well and clean it of the black skin and red fibers, so that you get a clean base for the recipe.

Put the brain to boil in a pot of water, adding a teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of vinegar. Boil it on low to medium heat for 10-15 minutes, then drain it and let it cool. Once cooled, cut the brain into pieces of 3-4 cm and place it in an even layer in the prepared dish. It’s time to distribute half of the peas on top.

For an extra flavor, I mixed half of the boiled brain with three tablespoons of canned diced tomatoes, along with a mixture of finely chopped onion and a grated carrot, both sautéed separately in hot oil until al dente. This combination will enrich the flavor of the dish.

Separately, beat the eggs with sour cream or milk, adding half a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Pour this mixture into the dish, being careful to evenly cover the ingredients. Place dollops of prepared spinach here and there or distribute fresh spinach leaves evenly. Sprinkle the remaining peas on top to add texture and color.

For a perfect taste, add small cubes of butter on top and, optionally, grated cheese. Place the dish in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the mixture is well cooked and nicely browned. After removing the dish from the oven, let it rest on a rack for 10 minutes to allow the melted butter to penetrate well into the mixture.

Serve the dish portioned while warm, alongside green onions or other seasonal vegetables, for an extra touch of freshness. This dish is just as delicious cold, making it perfect for any occasion!

 Tags:  eggs onion greenness cheese meat honey milk unt oil peas sour cream life pig