Sweetbreads or ris (see also offal and blechhh!) are culinary names for the thymus (throat sweetbread) and the pancreas (heart or stomach sweetbread), especially of the calf (ris de veau) and lamb (ris d'agneau) (although beef and pork sweetbreads are also eaten, most often at the end of a dare, or the beginning of a fraternity experience).
The "heart" sweetbreads are more spherical in shape, and surrounded symmetrically by the "throat” sweetbreads, which are more cylindrical in shape, providing a lovely selection of shape, gland, and texture for the contestants of (the now exclusively) home version of “Fear Factor”
RIP JOE ROGAN
One common preparation for sweetbreads involves soaking in salt water, then poaching in milk, after which the outer membrane is removed. *an aside: the moment a recipe calls for removal of “the membrane” is the moment I order pizza* Once dried and chilled, they are often breaded and fried, helping perpetuate the very likely true theory that people will eat ANYTHING if you batter dip or bread, and deep fry it … They are also used for stuffing or in pâtés, begging the further question, “what the hell is wrong with THESE people?” Some light is shed on this quandry when we recognize that they(the glands) are used( grilled) in many Latin American cuisines, such as in the Argentine asado, which supports, as I believe, my theory that the inhuman speed of speech required to effectively communicate in Spanish causes compromised gustatory senses… It is also (according to another “wiki” resource) served in bread in Turkish cuisine. (Speed of communication in Turkish has yet to be scientifically evaluated by this organization, though if they are drinking their famed coffee of theirs, I suspect they’re all super chatty, and jitterier than two cokeheads at the end of an uncut eight ball)
The word "sweetbread" is first attested in the 16th century, but the logic behind the name is unclear. However, the etymology of the word "sweetbread" is thought to be of Old English origin. "Sweet" is probably used since the thymus is sweet and rich tasting, as opposed to savory tasting muscle flesh… mmmmmmm muscle flesh….. HERE’S the most shocking revelation OF ALL, The "Bread" in the name “sweetbread” may come from Old English word "bræd" meaning….'flesh.'… Ipso facto ergo sum… linguistically speaking bread, is not vegetarian… so LB, I’m sorry, but no more grilled cheese sandwiches for YOU… heh heh heh
IMMLBAINLHG
