Thekidneys of animals are a commonly consumedoffal.[1] The kidneys can begrilled,sautéed,roasted orbraised.[2] They can be used in cookingmeat casseroles,stews orpies.[3] Typically used in cooking arebeef,veal,lamb andpork kidneys.[4][5]Chicken kidneys are used in cooking, too,[6][7] but fowl kidneys are very small and generally not collected to be used in food separately.[5] Veal kidneys are preferred amongcooks.[8] The kidneys of small animals aregrilled orfried, and the kidneys of larger ones are usually stewed.[9]
The kidneys are intended to be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than one day, but they also can be frozen. Defrosted kidneys are meant to be used as soon as possible.[2] During grilling or frying, kidneys can be overcooked because they easily dry out.[10] There are different recipes for cooking kidneys including recipes with such ingredients aspotatoes,onions,tomatoes,shallot,mushrooms or with othermeat.[11]
Kidneys have been used in cooking from ancient times. There is evidence of cooked kidneys inancient Egypt.[15] Egyptians supplied tombs of the dead with everything that dead people would need in the afterlife, including foods[16] such as cooked kidneys.[17] Poor people usually ate bread and boiled vegetables, while wealthy people might eat food of animal origin two or three times a day. Cooked kidneys were found in theSaqqara tomb of a female noble among other dishes.[16]
