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Category: Beef

Garlic-and-Herb Beef Roast and Potatoes

Garlic-and-Herb Beef Roast and Potatoes

Garlic-and-Herb Beef Roast and Potatoes

 

1 lb beef rump roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 tsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved

2 T. chopped fresh parsley

2 tsp chopped fresh chives

2 tsp chopped fresh thyme

¼ tsp salt

⅓ cup low-sodium beef broth

1 cup cubed organic potatoes

1 large carrot, sliced

1 stalk organic celery, chopped

 

Cook beef in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 8 minutes or until well browned. Transfer beef to a 4-quart slow cooker; add garlic and next 5 ingredients. Sprinkle with desired amount of freshly ground pepper. Cover and cook on LOW 5 hours. Stir in potatoes, carrot, and celery; cover and cook on LOW 2 hours longer or until meat and vegetables are tender.

Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

 

2 pounds boneless chuck

1 pound oxtail or short ribs

1 teaspoon neutral oil, (avocado or vegetable oil)

SAUCE:

7 ancho chiles, (ends trimmed and de-seeded)

7 guajillo chiles, (ends trimmed and de-seeded)

3 chiles de arbol, (ends trimmed and de-seeded)

1 white onion, (peeled and halved)

6 garlic cloves, (peeled)

4 roma tomatoes

1 tablespoon black peppercorns

1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 Mexican cinnamon stick, (See note if not using Mexican cinnamon)

3 bay leaves

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

3 cups beef broth or water, (divided)

TACOS:

1/4 cup minced cilantro

1/4 white onion, (minced)

Juice from 1 lime

Kosher salt

Corn tortillas

3 ounces Oaxacan cheese, (or mozzarella)

 

Bring the meat to room temperature, about 30 minutes and then sprinkle liberally on all sides with kosher salt. In a large Dutch oven (or a pot with an oven-proof lid), set over medium-high heat, add the neutral oil. When hot, add the meat and sear on all sides until browned. I like to do a hard sear. You’ll have to do this in batches. Transfer to a bowl. SAUCE: Meanwhile, in another medium pot, add the dried chiles, halved white onion, garlic cloves, tomatoes, spices, bay leaves and add cold water until it covers everything. Place over medium heat and simmer gently for about 15 minutes. Pour through a strainer and transfer everything (including the whole spices) to a blender. If your blender is small you may need to do this in batches. Add the apple cider vinegar and about 1 cup of beef broth or water and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Add salt to taste (I added about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt). *Note: I have a high-powered blender and it resulted in a super smooth sauce. If you have a blender that is meh, you may want to run the sauce through a strainer to discard any big bits the blender didn’t puree. Very optional! TO BRAISE THE MEAT: Preheat the oven to 300F. Add the meat back to the pot and pour the sauce over it. To the blender, add the remaining 2 cups of broth or water and swish it around to pick up any leftover sauce and pour it into the pot. Place over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer and then immediately cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for about 3 hours, until the meat is tender. TO ASSEMBLE THE TACOS: Mix together the cilantro, white onion, lime and salt. Remove the meat from the sauce and shred using two forks. Ladle the broth into a bowl and add a handful of diced cilantro. Add a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Dip the tortilla into the top of the broth (this should be fat) and add it to the skillet. Pan fry on one side for about 30 seconds and then flip over. Add a some of the shredded meat and the shredded cheese. Fold over and cook until pan fried on both sides, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and serve alongside the broth.

Finnish Meatballs

Finnish Meatballs

Finnish Meatballs

 

3/4 cup milk

3 slices white bread, crusts removed

6 ounces mild and buttery Gouda-style cheese

1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh parsley, finely minced

3/4 cup finely minced onion

2 large eggs

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground white pepper

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 T. ground allspice

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound ground pork

1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup chicken or beef broth

1/4 cup vegetable oil, or as needed

1/2 cup heavy cream

 

In a bowl, warm milk in a microwave until just steaming. Remove from heat and press bread into the milk; set aside. Grate cheese on large holes of a box grater and place in a large bowl. Add parsley, onion, eggs, salt, both peppers and allspice. Stir well to combine. Add ground beef, ground pork and milk-soaked bread (discard the milk). Knead by hand until well-blended. Spread flour on a plate. Roll meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, and roll in flour to coat. Place a Dutch oven over very low heat, and add broth. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add enough meatballs to loosely fill pan. Sear for about 1 minute, then shake the pan to turn meatballs. Continue until well-browned on all sides, adding more oil to the pan as needed. Transfer meatballs to Dutch oven and allow them to gently simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring carefully from time to time. Add cream and turn the heat off. Mix gently.

Ribeye “Diane”

Ribeye “Diane”

Ribeye “Diane”

 

4 ribeye steaks, 12-14 ounces each

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 T. unsalted butter

5 medium shallots, minced

2 T. Green peppercorns, preferably in brine, lightly crushed

¼ cup Brandy

2 T. Dijon mustard

Zest and juice from 1 small lemon

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

½ cup enriched veal stock

6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

1 small bunch chives, coarsely chopped

¼ cup heavy cream

Maldon salt

 

Season the steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron skillet large enough to hold the four steaks in a single layer until it begins to visibly smoke. Shut the heat off underneath the skillet and use a pair of tongs to place the steaks in the pan one by one in a single layer. Turn the heat on under the skillet and brown on the first side, 6-8 minutes. Resist the temptation to turn them over or move them as they cook. Turn the steaks on the second side and brown, 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and place the steaks on a rack to “rest” while you make your sauce. I get so many questions about knowing when a steak is “done”. It’s a tough call because every cut and piece of meat is different. The simplest way to check for doneness is to make a small incision in the thickest part of the steak. It should be a little less cooked than you would like to allow for “carry over” cooking. If using a meat thermometer, rare registers between 125 and 130 F. For medium rare, 130 F to 135 F and between 135-and 140 F for medium. Remove the excess grease from the pan where you cooked the steaks. Add the butter and shallots and cook until they are translucent, 3-5 minutes. Add the green peppercorns and brandy and cook until the liquid reduces almost completely. Add the mustard, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Swirl the pan so all of the flavors start to meld together. Add the veal stock and reduce until decently thick, 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cream, parsley and chives. Simmer for 1 minute. Taste for seasoning. Place the steaks on four plates, top with Maldon salt and spoon the sauce over top.

Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet

Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet

Sloppy Joe Macaroni Skillet

 

1 pound ground round beef (85% lean)

1 can (15 oz each) Manwich® Original Sloppy Joe Sauce

1-1/4 cups water

1-1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni, uncooked

3/4 cup shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheese

 

Cook beef in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink, stirring occasionally; drain. Add Sloppy Joe sauce, water and macaroni to skillet; stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook 15 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally. Top with cheese; cover and let stand 3 minutes or until cheese melts.

Sloppy Joe Meatloaf

Sloppy Joe Meatloaf

Sloppy Joe Meatloaf

2lbs ground beef

1 1⁄4 cups breadcrumbs

2 eggs (beaten)

1 can Manwich sloppy joe mix

1 large yellow onion (minced)

 

in a large bowl combine all ingredients-do not over work the mixture as you will have a tough meatloaf. Shape into a loaf and put in a deep baking dish. Put in a preheated 350 degree oven on middle rack for 60-90 minutes.  The center of the meat should reach 160 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Sloppy Joe Goulash

Sloppy Joe Goulash

 

1 pound ground beef

15.5 ounces Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce

15 ounces water

1 cup dry elbow macaroni

 

In a large skillet, brown ground beef, breaking into small pieces. Drain excess grease, if needed. To the ground beef, add Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce, water (fill empty Manwich can with water to measure) and uncooked elbow macaroni.

One Pan Chili Beef Pasta Skillet

One Pan Chili Beef Pasta Skillet

One Pan Chili Beef Pasta Skillet

 

1 pound lean ground beef

2 Tablespoons dried minced onion

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1½ teaspoons dried oregano

1½ teaspoons chili powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¾ (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

1½ cups tomato juice

1¼ cup water

6 ounces tomato paste

1 Tablespoon sugar

8 ounces rotini pasta (uncooked)

3 roma tomatoes diced

⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat in a pan until cooked through; drain grease. Add onion, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, chili powder, and garlic powder. Add tomato soup, tomato juice, water, tomato paste, and sugar. Bring to a boil and stir well and let simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the pasta and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir every few minutes. Turn heat down if needed. Top with diced tomatoes and shredded cheese.

Zesty Manwich Meatloaf

Zesty Manwich Meatloaf

Zesty Manwich Meatloaf

 

2 lbs. ground beef

1 c. bread crumbs

1 onion finely chopped

2 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 can Manwich Thick & Chunky

3 tbsp. brown sugar

 

Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 can of Manwich Thick & Chunky in a large bowl until combined. Pack into a loaf pan.

Make topping with the other 1/2 can of Manwich mixed with the brown sugar. Spread over meatloaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

 

1 lb spaghetti

1 pound ground beef

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves minced garlic

1 jar, (32 ounces meatless spaghetti sauce)

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

2 eggs

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

5 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled

16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

 

In a large pot of salted water, cook spaghetti al dente, according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, seasoned salt, and Italian seasonings. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain cooked noodles and cool slightly; add spaghetti to the egg mixture and toss to coat. Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with half of the ricotta cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Serve with garlic bread and a simple salad. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.

Carne Asada Tacos

Carne Asada Tacos

Carne Asada Tacos

 

1 recipe carne asada

2 avocados

3 tbsp cotija cheese

1/3 cup onion, finely diced

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

6 tortillas

llimes, for garnish

 

Grill the carne asada until it’s cooked to your preference. Slice it against the grain, then chop it into small pieces.  Use a spoon to mash the avocado and spread a large spoonful or two onto each tortilla. Then, top the avocado with chopped carne asada, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, some diced onion and fresh cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top.

Carne Asada

Carne Asada

Carne Asada

 

1 ½ lbs flank steak

⅓ cup olive oil

3 limes, juiced (about 6 tablespoons juice)

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 teaspoon cumin powder

½ teaspoon chili powder

salt and pepper, to taste

 

Whisk all of the oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.  Add the steak to a glass or non-reactive baking tray and pour the marinade on top. Ensure both side of the steak are well coated, cover the baking tray with plastic wrap and marinate for 1 to 4 hours. Alternatively, you could marinate in a plastic bag.   Heat a grill on medium-high heat. Add the carne asada and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for another 5 minutes.  Using a sharp knife, slice the carne asada at an angle against the grain. From there, you can further chop the carne asada into smaller pieces, if you’d like.

Mexican Potato Casserole

Mexican Potato Casserole

 

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 medium onion, diced finely

4 large potatoes, thinly sliced

1 C. corn kernels

1 packet of taco seasoning

2 C. of grated mozzarella cheese

1 C. salsa

Salt and pepper

 

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Thinly slice your potatoes and add to a large pot of salted boiling water for around 10 minutes to soften. Add a T. of oil to a large, heated frying pan. Fry onion until soft, before adding the mince. Once the mince is browned, stir in corn, then add taco seasoning and allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes (follow instructions on the taco seasoning). Stir through salsa until well combined. Layer softened potato slices along the bottom of a large casserole or baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese over the potatoes. Add the taco and salsa mince mixture on top. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for around 35 minutes. Then remove foil, sprinkle with chopped shallots and bake for a further 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is browned.  Serve with guacamole and sour cream, or with a side salad. Enjoy!

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

 

1 pound lean ground beef

½ cup onion finely chopped

15 ounces sloppy joe sauce or 1 batch homemade sauce

6 pieces frozen Texas toast

1 cup mozzarella cheese

 

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a skillet, cook beef and onion until no pink remains. Drain fat.

Add sloppy joe sauce and simmer 5-7 minutes. Place frozen Texas toast slices on a large baking sheet. Bake in oven for about 5 minutes or until golden. Divide the sloppy joe mixture over the toasted bread and top with cheese. Bake 5 minutes more or until the cheese is melted.

One Pot All-in-one Spaghetti

One Pot All-in-one Spaghetti

One Pot All-in-one Spaghetti

 

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1-1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

1 – 8 ounce can tomato sauce

1 – 6 ounce can tomato paste

3 cups V-8 juice (I used Spicy Hot)

1 cup water

7 ounces spaghetti, uncooked

Grated Parmesan Cheese for garnish

 

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Crumble in ground beef along with onion and garlic. Cook stirring until beef is no longer pink and onions softens – about 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt, oregano, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Stir well to incorporate into meat mixture then add tomato sauce, tomato paste, V-8 juice and water. Stir well to combine, then bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spaghetti to the pot, cover and cook additional 20 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Garnish with cheese.

Carne Asada Flautas

Carne Asada Flautas

Carne Asada Flautas

 

1 medium yellow onion (may use white), peeled and quartered, about 1 1/2 cups

1 lb marbled beef (I used chuck steak), trimmed and roughly chopped

1/2 – 1 tsp Chile powder, your choice (I used Hungarian paprika)

1 tsp table salt

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp granulated garlic

20-30 corn tortillas

cooking oil (corn, sunflower, canola, peanut etc)

 

In the bowl of a food processor, place onion quarters and pulse 5-10 times, until diced. Set aside. In the bowl of the processor, add the beef and pulse 5-10 times until it is roughly ground, set aside. In a large skillet (I like cast iron), heat over medium high heat. Add 3 tbs of the cooking oil. Add onions and stir frequently. Cook until soft and they begin to char. To the skillet add the spices and stir. Add beef, stir again. Keep cooking and stirring until beef is cooked through. Set aside to cool. In a kitchen towel, place the tortillas, wrap and place in microwave. Cook for 30 seconds. On a prep surface, take one tortilla out (keep the rest covered), place a heaping tablespoon of beef and onion filling on one edge. Roll tightly and place with seam side down on a rimmed baking sheet or plate. Continue until the rest of the tortillas are filled. Wipe the skillet clean, add enough oil to make 1/4-1/2 inches of oil deep. Heat over medium-high heat. When you place a small piece of tortilla in the oil and it bubbles immediately, you are ready to fry the flautas. Carefully place five flautas at a time in the oil, seam side down. After one or two minutes, carefully flip over with tongs. Cook for another 2 minutes or so or until they are golden brown. Remove from pan, drain the oil for a few seconds before placing on paper towels to drain. Place another layer of paper towels and cook the rest of the flautas in the same manner. Serve with optional ingredients such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole or queso.

Carne Asada Mulitas

Carne Asada Mulitas

Carne Asada Mulitas

 

1 lb of flank steak, diced

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 large onion, peeled and diced

Oil for frying

32 small corn tortillas

tap here

16 oz monterrey jack or quesadilla cheese

Optional Garnishes

Sour cream

Salsa

tap here

Cotija cheese

Cilantro

 

In a medium mixing bowl, toss the diced steak and onions with salt and pepper. On a rimmed baking sheet, spread steak and onion mixture into a thin layer. Place under broiler and cook until the meat is well browned and slightly crispy. In a large skillet or griddle, place 3 Tbs cooking oil and heat over medium heat. Add 4 corn tortillas at a time if they will fit. Cook until golden brown, flip over two of the tortillas. On these two add the steak mixture, top with cheese. Then top with the two remaining tortillas, cooked side down. Continue cooking until well browned. Flip over and cook the remaining side of the mulita. You should have cooked each tortilla on both sides by now. Repeat until all is cooked. Garnish as desired.

Saltimbocca alla Romano

Saltimbocca alla Romano

Saltimbocca alla Romano

 

1.5 lb top round, sliced very thin

6 oz prosciutto

1 cup of flour

1 T black pepper

4 T butter, divided

2 T olive oil

2 T roughly chopped fresh sage leaves

1 cup Marsala, or any wine you have on hand

1 cup vegetable broth

juice of half a lemon

 

Place a large cast iron skillet on middle rack of oven and turn oven to 400F.  Preheat skillet for 10 minutes. While pan is heating, prep beef slices.  On a large prep surface lay out your beef.  Place prosciutto slices evenly across the beef slices, tuck under if necessary. Cover a few slices with plastic.  You may use a plastic bag or plastic wrap.  With a rolling pin, roll to flatten the beef further and also to press the prosciutto into the beef slices.  Move plastic around as necessary until all slices have been pressed. On a shallow plate, place flour and pepper, stir. When the pan is heated, place on a large stove burner set to medium high heat, add 2 Tbs butter and the olive oil.  Dredge beef slices through the flour and place in the pan.  Cook on one side for about 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for one minutes.  Remove and set aside.  You can keep the beef hot in a warm oven or cover with aluminum foil.  Repeat until all beef slices have been cooked. In the skillet over medium heat, add butter and sage.  Stir until butter starts to brown, add Marsala.  Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon or spatula until all brown bits have been incorporated.  Add broth, stir frequently and simmer until reduced to a semi-thick velvety sauce.  Add lemon juice, stir. Serve beef and prosciutto with a drizzle of your sauce.

Bison Meatballs with Red Wine and Cherry Reduction

Bison Meatballs with Red Wine and Cherry Reduction

Bison Meatballs with Red Wine and Cherry Reduction

 

1 pound ground bison

1 pound ground pork

¼ C. pine nuts

⅓ C. currants

⅓ C. golden raisins

1 egg

5 ounces finely diced cremini mushrooms

3 T. half and half

3 cloves minced garlic

¼ C. diced onions

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. fresh-cracked pepper

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix the bison and pork in a bowl until combined. Try not to over mix or the meat will become tough. Add in remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Roll the meat mixture into 1½- to 2-inch balls and place on the sheet, leaving about 1 inch between them. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165° and are beginning to brown. Note: If you are planning on freezing for later use, freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet then place in freezer bags once frozen; this will keep them from sticking together.

 

For the reduction

2 diced shallots

1 bottle Cabernet

1 C. pitted cherries, fresh or frozen

1 T. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 T. unsalted butter

 

If using frozen cherries, thaw by placing in a colander and running cold water over them. Sauté shallots in olive oil. Once translucent, add the wine and cherries, cooking over medium-low heat. Reduce the liquid by half, then add the sugar and salt. Use an immersion blender to further break down the cherries. Taste to see if more sugar or salt is required. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Meatballs can be served in the reduction, or the sauce can be placed on the side for dipping.

Ground Beef Mummy Meatballs

Ground Beef Mummy Meatballs

Ground Beef Mummy Meatballs

 

1 lb Lean Ground Beef

1/2 Sweet onion (diced)

1/4 C. Panko breadcrumbs

2 tbsps Fresh parsley (chopped)

1 Large egg

3 cloves Garlic (diced)

1 Pillsbury crescent roll sheet (8-ounce tube)

Yellow mustard (for decorating)

 

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment. In a large bowl, add beef, onion, panko, garlic, parsley, and egg. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon until well combined, then shape into 1” balls. Place onto baking sheet and set aside. Slice crescent sheet in half widthwise, and then into long, thin strips. Wrap a piece of dough around meatballs to resemble a mummy, leaving a space to make eyes later on.  Bake until meatballs are cooked through, and dough is golden, about 15 minutes. Cover sheet with foil if dough starts to get too dark.  Make two mustard dots for eyes on each mummy meatball and serve

Mummy Meatballs

Mummy Meatballs

Mummy Meatballs

 

24 fresh uncooked Italian-style meatballs (2 tablespoon–size) or 1 pound (454 g) seasoned ground meatball mixture

48 large fettuccine noodles

2 C. (480 ml) marinara sauce

2 T. whole-milk ricotta

3 large pitted black olives, cut into 48 tiny circles, for the pupils

 

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C; gas mark 5). If using meatball mixture, form it into twenty-four 2 tablespoon–size meatballs. Cook the fettuccine noodles to al dente according to the package directions, then drain. Let cool a bit before handling in the next step. Wrap 2 cooked fettuccine noodles around each meatball, tucking the pasta ends into each other to secure them around the meatballs. Pour the marinara sauce into the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) baking dish, then arrange the meatballs on top of the marinara sauce. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the pasta starts to slightly crisp all over. When the meatballs come out of the oven, place the ricotta in a resealable plastic bag and make a small snip off one of the corners. Squeeze 2 dollops of ricotta onto the top of each meatball, then place a black olive circle on the center of each dollop of ricotta for the mummy eyes. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 200°F (95°C; gas mark ¼) oven until ready to serve.

Currant Preserves and Rosemary Sauce for Grilled Steak

Currant Preserves and Rosemary Sauce for Grilled Steak

Currant Preserves and Rosemary Sauce for Grilled Steak

4 local beef steaks

salt and pepper, to taste

1 T. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

½ C. currant preserves or jelly

½ T. fresh rosemary, chopped

1 T. honey

1 tsp. lemon juice

 

Heat the grill and prepare the steaks with salt and pepper. Cook to desired doneness. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.  Place the olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan. Cook over medium heat for  1–2 minutes, until the garlic begins to soften. Add the preserves, rosemary, honey and lemon juice. Whisk the mixture together and allow to cook until it begins to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Strain the sauce and pour over the cooked steaks.

Lemongrass Beef

Lemongrass Beef

Lemongrass Beef

 

1 lb [455 g] top sirloin

2 stalks lemongrass

3 T. fish sauce

1 T. brown sugar

Neutral oil, for cooking (such as canola or avocado)

 

Freeze the beef for 2 hours, so it’s easier to slice thinly. Remove the tough outermost leaves of the lemongrass. Cut off and discard the reedy stalk ends and the bit of root, saving only the tender light green part from the root side (you’ll be left with about 1 1/2 oz [40 g]). Place the tender lemongrass in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. Add the fish sauce and brown sugar to the food processor and blend. Once the beef is firm but not frozen solid, slice very thinly. Spoon the lemongrass mixture over the beef and toss together to evenly coat everything. Let sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator (and for up to 2 days). To sear on the stove, preheat a nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add about a tsp. of oil, swirl to coat, and add about a sixth of the marinated beef. Spread it out into a single layer (do not crowd the pan). Let sear

Mongolian Beef Pasta

Mongolian Beef Pasta

Mongolian Beef Pasta

 

7 ounces (200 grams) beef, sliced into strips

2 tsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. sugar

2 T. hoisin sauce

2 T. water

1 tsp. Asian chili paste (such as doubanjiang or sambal oelek)

6.3 ounces (180 grams) pasta such as spaghetti or linguine

1 T. vegetable oil

1 large clove garlic, minced (7 grams)

1/2 red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced (60 grams)

5 scallions, sliced (60 grams)

 

Put the beef in a bowl along with the soy sauce and sugar, mix to combine and then allow the beef to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients. For the sauce, put the hoisin sauce, water and chili paste into a small bowl and stir to combine. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and boil the pasta for one minute less than what the package directions say. For example, if the package says to boil it for nine minutes, add the pasta and set the timer for eight. When the pasta is five minutes away from being done, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat until hot. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the beef and spread it out into a single layer, and let this fry on one side until the edges start to turn brown. Add the bell peppers and then stir-fry until the beef is cooked. When the pasta is done, drain it. Add the scallions in with the beef, and then add the noodles. Pour the sauce over the noodles and use tongs to mix until the sauce is evenly dispersed and the scallions are cooked. Plate and serve immediately.

Belgian Beef Carbonnade

Belgian Beef Carbonnade

Belgian Beef Carbonnade

 

6 slices bacon

3 lbs. beef chuck roast, cut into very large chunks

6 C. sliced onions

1½ T. minced garlic

2 C. stout, porter or bock beer

2 T. brown sugar

1 T. dried thyme

2 bay leaves

3 T. cornstarch

3 T. cider vinegar

Hot buttered noodles

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

 

Fry bacon in large, heavy skillet. Drain on paper towels; coarsely chop it. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat from pan; set aside. Dry beef with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Heat skillet again over medium-high flame then deep-brown the beef chunks in batches, removing each batch to a heavy, oven-safe pot. Use additional fat as required for each batch. Heat oven to 300 degrees. Heat a little more fat in skillet over medium-low flame. Add onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until limp and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in garlic during last 5 minutes. Add mixture to the beef in pot. Raise heat under skillet, stir in beer and bring to simmer, scraping bits from bottom. Stir in brown sugar, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to low simmer then stir into beef-onion mixture. Cover tightly, place in oven and bake until meat is very tender, 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours. Remove from oven and let stand 20 minutes (or cool and refrigerate overnight). Skim fat from surface. Return to simmer on top of stove. Combine cornstarch and vinegar; stir into stew to thicken it. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over noodles, garnished with parsley and reserved bacon.

 

Cheesy Meatball Sliders

Cheesy Meatball Sliders

Cheesy Meatball Sliders

 

2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

1 C. Italian-style bread crumbs

3 T. prepared pesto

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

1 package (18 ounces) Hawaiian sweet rolls

12 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 C. melted butter

1 T. olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

1 C. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese or shredded Italian cheese blend

Minced fresh basil

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, pesto and egg; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 12 meatballs; place on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until browned and a thermometer reads 160°, about 35 minutes. Toss meatballs with sauce; set aside. Meanwhile, without separating rolls, cut horizontally in half; arrange bottom halves in a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Place half the cheese slices over roll bottoms; sprinkle with oregano. Add meatballs and sauce. Top with remaining cheese slices and bun tops. Combine butter, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes; brush over buns. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with Parmesan and shredded mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.

Miso Honey Steaks with Ginger Chimichurri

Miso Honey Steaks with Ginger Chimichurri

Miso Honey Steaks with Ginger Chimichurri

 

4 (12-ounce) sustainably raised New York Strip steaks

2 T. miso paste

2 T. local honey

1 pinch black pepper

1 tsp. kosher salt

 

2 T. minced fresh ginger

2 T. minced garlic

2 T. minced shallots

¼ C. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

½ C. chopped fresh cilantro leaves

¼ C. extra-virgin olive oil

¼ C. rice wine vinegar

Fresh-pressed juice and zest of 2 limes

1 tsp. kosher salt

 

Combine miso, honey, black pepper and tsp. of salt. Coat steaks with marinade and let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature. In a small mixing bowl, combine ginger, garlic, shallots, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and zest and salt. Reserve. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat or prepare coals. Grill steaks about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, but your safest bet is to use an internal thermometer and cook to 130–135°F, remembering the steaks will continue to cook when removed from the grill. Once done, be sure to let them rest for at least 5 minutes. Slice and serve with chimichurri.

Cheeseburger Puff Pastry Pockets

Cheeseburger Puff Pastry Pockets

Cheeseburger Puff Pastry Pockets

 

1 pound of lean ground beef

kosher salt and pepper

3 T. ketchup

2 T. yellow mustard

6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated

2 sheets thawed puff pastry

1 large egg + 1 tsp. water, for egg wash

2 T. sesame seeds, for sprinkling

 

½ C. mayonnaise

2 T. dijon mustard

1 T. yellow mustard

1 T. honey

1 T. your favorite BBQ sauce

 

As a note, I like to use the puff pastry here that isn’t perforated. I don’t ever use the Pepperidge Farm brand. I almost always use the wewalka brand or the jus-rol puff pastry. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place each of the puff pastry sheets on a piece of parchment paper on baking sheets. You can only make one sheet at a time, but I like to have the other one ready to go too. Cut both sheets of puff pastry into six squares on the parchment paper. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it apart into small crumbles. Stir in the ketchup and mustard until combined. Turn off the heat and add in a sprinkle of cheese – just an ounce or two. Let the beef cool slightly. If you haven’t made the house sauce yet, make it now! Once the beef has cooled a bit, spoon 2 to 3 T. into the square of puff pastry. Drizzle on some house sauce. Sprinkle with a bit of cheese. Brush the edges of the square with the egg wash, then bring one corner to meet the other, making a triangle pocket. Press the edges down with a fork to seal them. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry. Brush the tops of the pockets with the egg wash. Sprinkle all over with the sesame seeds. Bake the puff pastry pockets for 20 minutes, or until golden and puffed and shiny. Remove them from the oven and let cool slightly – the insides are hot! Serve with condiments, lettuce, tomato, pickles and anything else you love with a burger. House Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and combined. You can make this a day or so ahead of time!

Lasagna Casserole

Lasagna Casserole

Lasagna Casserole

 

1 pound ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper, divided

1 pound medium pasta shells, cooked and drained

4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

3 cups 4% cottage cheese

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 T. dried parsley flakes

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

 

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles; drain. Sprinkle with salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine pasta, 3 cups mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and the remaining pepper. Transfer to a greased shallow 3-qt. or 13×9-in. baking dish. Top with beef mixture and spaghetti sauce (dish will be full). Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and cheese is melted, 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before. To Freeze: Sprinkle casserole with remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

3 Ingredient Pesto Meatballs

3 Ingredient Pesto Meatballs

3 Ingredient Pesto Meatballs

 

1 lb. ground chicken (or beef)

1/3 cup panko crumbs or oat bran

¼ cup jarred pesto

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, panko and pesto. Salt, to taste. Mix until fully combined. Roll meat mixture into balls using 1 tbsp mixture per meatball. This recipe will make ~24 meatballs. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook until browned on the outside and no longer pink on the inside, stirring and flipping the meatballs throughout. They will cook in about 6-8 minutes, depending on the size. Remove from the pan and serve with your favorite pasta recipe.

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

 

18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

2 teaspoons chili powder

3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed

1 bottle (16 ounces) taco sauce, divided

3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend, divided

20 baked tortilla chip scoops, coarsely crushed

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cream cheese and 1/2 cup taco sauce until blended. Stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling into each shell. Place in an 11×7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining taco sauce. Bake, covered, until heated through, 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chips.

Sweet ‘N’ Tangy Flank Steak

Sweet ‘N’ Tangy Flank Steak

Sweet ‘N’ Tangy Flank Steak

 

1/3 C. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1/3 C. brown sugar

1/4 C. scallions, sliced

1 T. sesame oil

1 T. sesame seeds

2 tsp. chopped garlic

1 tsp. minced fresh ginger

1 flank steak (about 2 lbs)

 

Stir soy sauce, sugar, scallions, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic and ginger together in a bowl. Fold the flank steak into thirds. Place in a large resealable plastic food storage bag. Pour the soy sauce and brown sugar mixture into the bag. Seal bag and turn over to cover steak. Place in refrigerator for two hours. Heat grill or broiler. Remove steak from bag. Place marinade in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Grill or broil steak for 5 minutes per side or until meat registers 135 degrees. Allow meat to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Leftover Short Rib Pasta

Leftover Short Rib Pasta

Leftover Short Rib Pasta

 

leftover short ribs, bones removed and meat pulled, including any sauce (If sauce is short, blend with a bit of heavy cream

kosher salt

1 pound rigatoni

1/2 cup grated Parmigiano cheese

extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing

chopped Parsley, for garnish

 

Heat up the shredded short ribs and sauce in a large pot along with 1 cup of water. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Taste the water to make sure it is as salty as the ocean. Toss in the rigatoni and cook 2 minutes less than it says on the package or bite a noodle to check for doneness (the pasta should be just underdone). Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and toss it into the pot with the short ribs and sauce along with the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Toss in the grated Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil. Stir vigorously to combine.

Easy Short Rib Stroganoff {leftovers}

Easy Short Rib Stroganoff {leftovers}

Easy Short Rib Stroganoff {leftovers}

 

3 T. cornstarch

3 T. cold water

1 1/2 cups beef stock

2 T. butter

1/2 medium onion, diced

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. prepared horseradish

1 T. finely chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish

8 ounces shredded leftover Short Ribs

 

Mix the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl until very smooth. Put the stock in a small pot over medium heat and, once warm, add the cornstarch slurry and stir or whisk until it thickens, then remove from the heat and set aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the onion and mushrooms until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the thickened stock, sour cream, Worcestershire, horseradish, and dill. Stir to combine and add the short ribs. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Serve over egg noodles, rice, or whatever makes sense, maybe with a little more dill for garnish.

Grilled Hoisin Meatballs

Grilled Hoisin Meatballs

Grilled Hoisin Meatballs

 

32 small leftover meatballs, about a pound

1/2 cup Hoisin sauce

2 T. chili sauce (Sambal)

1 tsp. sesame oil

2 T. soy sauce

Green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish

 

Combine hoisin, chili sauce, sesame oil and soy in a small bowl and mix well to combine – set aside. Heat grill to medium/high (or oven to 400). Grill meatballs until fully warmed through and just starting to brown with grill markings (or bake in oven until heated thru and beginning to sizzle, about 15 minutes). Put meatballs in a large bowl and toss with some of the sauce, plate and sprinkle with green onion & sesame seeds.

Pesto French Bread Pizza

Pesto French Bread Pizza

Pesto French Bread Pizza

 

10 leftover meatballs, sliced into rounds

2 T. butter

1 large clove garlic, minced

2 T. flour

1 cup milk

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

½ C. pesto

1 loaf French bread

1 cup Mozzarella, grated

 

Put slices of meatball in a bowl and toss with pesto – set aside. Melt butter in a medium pot on low heat, add garlic. Cook about a minute or until just fragrant then whisk in flour. Continue stirring and cook about a minute until it becomes a thick paste. Add milk and whisk to incorporate. When it starts to thicken, add Parmesan cheese and stir well until thick & smooth. Preheat broiler. Cut french bread lengthwise and add a generous layer of the cheese sauce to both cut sides. Add a layer of meatballs and top with mozzarella. Place under the broiler until bubbly, melty and gorgeous. Slice & serve.

Creamy Beef Noodle Bake

Creamy Beef Noodle Bake

Creamy Beef Noodle Bake

 

1 lb ground beef

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 package (12 oz) wide egg noodles

3/4 cup sour cream

1 container (16 oz) cottage cheese (equals 2 cups)

2 cups shredded cheese

 

Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish and spray with cooking spray.

Cook the ground beef in a skillet pan, over medium-high heat, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.  Add the tomato sauce, onion powder, salt, and pepper into the meat. Stir and let it simmer, over medium heat, while the egg noodles cook.

Cook the egg noodles according to package directions. Don’t forget to add at least 1 teaspoon of salt in with the noodles. In large mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream and cottage cheese. When noodles are done cooking, drain the noodles, but do not rinse. Add the noodles into the mixing bowl with the cottage cheese and stir to coat all the noodles. Pour half the egg noodle mixture into your prepared pan, top with half the ground beef mixture, and then half the shredded cheese. Repeat. Cover with foil and cook for 20 minutes. If you want those crunchy casserole edges and noodle edges then don’t cover with tin foil.

Wedge Salad with Steak Tips

Wedge Salad with Steak Tips

Wedge Salad with Steak Tips

 

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 cup plain yogurt

3 ounces Stilton cheese, crumbled (1/4 cup), divided

1 tsp. red wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

3/4 tsp. table salt, divided

1/2 tsp. pepper, divided

1 ½ pounds sirloin steak tips, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 head iceberg lettuce (9 ounces), cored and cut into 8 wedges

10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

2 T. minced fresh chives

 

Cook bacon in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate and remove skillet from heat (do not wipe out skillet). Whisk yogurt, 1/2 cup Stilton, vinegar, garlic, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in bowl until combined. Pat steak dry with paper towels and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper. Heat bacon fat in skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add steak and cook until well browned on all sides and meat registers 125 degrees (for medium-rare), about 7 minutes. Transfer to plate, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest. Arrange lettuce wedges and steak tips on individual serving plates and drizzle with dressing. Top with tomatoes, bacon, and remaining l/4 cup Stilton. Sprinkle with chives and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Beer Braised Short Ribs (double for planned leftovers)

Beer Braised Short Ribs (double for planned leftovers)

Beer Braised Short Ribs (double for planned leftovers)

 

4 pounds bone in short ribs (about 8)

Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

Neutral oil, like avocado

4 carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces

4 celery stalks, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 small yellow onion, cut into a medium dice

3 cloves garlic

3 T. tomato paste

3 T. flour

2 cups beef broth

1 bottle (12 ounces) Guinness stout

6 fresh thyme stalks

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Season short ribs well with salt & pepper. Heat a heavy oven proof pot (like a Dutch oven) and sear short ribs until browned on all sides – (except bone side) until golden brown – about 3-4 minutes total then remove & set aside. Add carrot, celery & onion to the pot and cook until just beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, then add garlic and stir in to combine – cook another 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and flour to vegetables – stir well to combine and cook another minute or so. Put in beef broth & Guinness, stirring well and bring to a boil – turn off heat and add ribs back to the pot long with the thyme. Cover with lid, put in the oven and cook until fork tender – 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Serve with the vegetables and some of the gravy/broth on anything – rice, potatoes, pasta, cauliflower mash.