Beef brisket, chuck roast and shoulder roast are perfect cuts of beef for boiling. When boiled, the tough connective tissues between the muscle fibers break down. This process results in the beef shrinking, tenderizing and soaking up the flavor of the cooking liquid and any spices included within it.

Improperly defrosted meat can result in food poisoning. The USDA suggests not leaving any meat out in the open for more than two hours, or one hour in climates above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Any meat left too long in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit may rapidly develop bacteria.

Top sirloin round tip steak, also referred to as the crescent roast or face round roast, is located on the rear section of the cow. Although it is typically considered a lean cut of beef, it can be tough and fibrous. Slow cooking helps to tenderize even the toughest cuts of meat by breaking down the connective tissues.

Mock tender roast is also known as chuck eye, chuck filet, medallion pot roast and Scotch tender, according to the Texas Beef Council. The roast is called a mock tender because it is similar in appearance to a beef tenderloin; beef tenderloin is widely regarded as one of the most tender cuts of beef.

Mock tender steak is known by many different names. According to the Texas Beef Council, grocery stores can label it as chuck eye steak, chuck filet steak, chuck tender steak or fish steak. The steak is cut from the mock tender roast, which comes from the chuck part of the cow.

For a quick and nutritious meal with stick-to-your-ribs appeal, prepare boneless pork chops and side dishes in the same skillet. Instead of browning the pork first, prepare vegetable and apple chunks in the skillet and then cook the pork chops.

Pig roasts have been popular for years, but Southern barbecue fans and the Cuban community of Miami enjoy grilling their whole hogs. Before attempting this feat, find a large, covered grill. The smallest pigs weigh about 75 lbs. -- almost four times the weight of a fully-stuffed Thanksgiving turkey.

The flank steak is a very lean cut of beef from the underbelly of the cow. Because it has long muscle fibers and little marbled fat, it requires proper cooking and slicing to bring out the tenderness.

Ribs and other barbecued meats tend to reheat well and only require a few minutes to heat to an edible temperature. You can cook pre-cooked ribs in several ways, but oven or microwave heating are the quickest and easiest ways to reheat the meat.

Chorizo is a type of sausage that is popular in Spain, Mexico and Latin America. Spanish chorizo differs in that it uses chopped chunks of pork meat and fat as opposed to the ground meat that is used in other chorizos. Paprika is a main ingredient, and Spanish chorizo usually has a very strong paprika flavor.

Preparing a steak on a baking sheet in the oven is relatively easy. The main concern is not overcooking steak. As you cook it past medium, or 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it begins to dry out, losing flavor and developing a tougher texture. A meat thermometer is a steak cook's best friend.

Soybeans are a unique type of vegetable because they are one of only a few types that provide a complete protein, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids. You can eat soybeans in a variety of ways including cooked, as part of tofu, or dry roasted.