BEEF – Page 26 – Chasing MY Life WHEREVER it Leads ME

BRAISED BEEF & ONIONS aka BAKED STEAK, PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA and my new OXO tool

BRAISED BEEF & ONIONS aka BAKED STEAK

1 new york strip steak per person

1 LARGE Vidalia onion

garlic salt

white pepper

sea salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Pat meat dry.
Generously sprinkle meat with garlic salt, sea salt and white pepper to taste.
Using a mandoline slice onion as thin as possible.
Place half the onions on the bottom of a baking dish.
Lay steaks on top of onions.
Top with remaining onions.
Seal with foil.
Bake for 2 hours.
Check for tenderness.
Bake another 30 minutes as necessary.

PARMESAN GARLIC POMMES ANNA

1-2 Yukon potatoes per person

Parmesan cheese

garlic salt

1 tablespoon butter per person, sliced very thin
Using mandoline slice potatoes on thinnest setting.
Spray baking dish with PURE.
Arrange potatoes in layers, sprinkling with garlic salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese between each layer and on top.
Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
Top with butter slices and then a bit more Parmesan cheese and bake with beef the last 30 minutes until crisp and tender.

LOVE MY NEW TOOL! It’s an OXO hand held mandoline. There are 3 thickness sizes and best of all a lock! The lock prevents those cuts that are inevitable otherwise.

Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace.

Cooking Thursday is hosted by Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Weekend Cooking Creations is hosted by Jennifer.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Valentine’s Day is a truly subjective menu. Not everyone wants or dreams of the same foods. So, awhile back when we were just sitting around I quizzed hubby in a round about way and was able to come up with his favorite romantic menu to create a romantic meal. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year?

STRAWBERRY MARGARITAS

2 cups crushed ice

1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree

1 cup tequila

2 limes, juiced

Splash Triple Sec

Splash simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves completely and then cooled)

Combine in a blender, ice, strawberry water, tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec and simple syrup.
Puree until smooth.
Pour into rocks glasses, garnish and serve.

CAJUN SHRIMP COCKTAIL

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1/2 cup chili sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons finely minced onion

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

Juice of 1 lemon (save your rind to make the cute serving dish)

2 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon Frank’s red pepper hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

salt to taste

plenty of fresh medium-large shrimp, cleaned and chilled

I use my mini food processor to mix it all in until well blended.
Chill for a day or so before needed to allow flavors to meld together.

CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

6 cloves garlic, mashed and minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Champagne Vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/3 cup canola oil

Sea Salt

White Pepper

Juice of 1 lemon

Minced anchovy fillets (optional – I usually leave them out)

Combine garlic, mustard, vinegar and two pinches of salt in a blender and mix thoroughly.
Add mayonnaise and blend together to form a thick base.
In a slow stream add oil.
Scrape dressing with spatula into a bowl and season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Optional – Add anchovies to dressing to create a deeper, saltier taste.

PARMESAN CHEESE CROUTONS

6 slices thick sourdough bread

butter, melted, enough to coat bread

½ cup Fontina Cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place bread slices on oven rack and bake until dry and golden.
Melt butter in flat bowl.
Combine cheeses in flat bowl.
Dip first in butter and the cheese mixture.
Bake on cookie sheet 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and melted.
Cut to desired size*

*If I’m in a hurry I will sometimes cut these ahead of time and toss with the butter and cheese which coats all the sides better.

GARLIC STEAK

Steak of choice (hubby choose T-bones)

2 cloves of garlic per steak, minced fine

1 tablespoon champagne vinegar per steak

1/2 tablespoon canola oil

sea salt

white pepper

Pierce each steak with a marinater.
Whisk together the garlic, oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Place steak side by side of a large plate.
Pour marinade over top.
Turn steak and make sure each is well coated.
Cover and marinate overnight.
Take steak out of refrigerator an hour before grilling, turn several times making sure still well coated in marinade.
Firmly press garlic pieces into the steak.
Grilled to desired doneness – mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, medium rare….

TWICE BAKED POTATOES

4 large baking potatoes

8 slices bacon

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

8 green onions (tops and all), sliced and divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour or until done through.
Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; saving skins.
To the potato pieces add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
Bake for another 15 minutes.

SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE

PIE

3+ cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped

lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon maple extract

1 small egg, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream (not light)

9 inch pastry shell, pre-baked and cooled

TOPPING

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons butter, sliced extremely thin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Chop the apples and combine with just enough lemon juice to coat and prevent browning in large bowl.
In a small bowl sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
Fold in the sour cream, egg, vanilla and maple extract until well blended.
Fold the sour cream mixture into the apples until well coated.
Carefully pour into the pie shell, mounding towards the center.
Toss together the topping ingredients until well blended.
Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple mound.
Lay the pieces of butter all over the top.
Bake 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
Best served with ice cream or fresh whipped cream. If you want to be really decadent try it with Caramel Sauce.

HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

2 jumbo eggs

2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons real vanilla extract

Warm the milk in a small pan.
Whisk the eggs with the sugar in a separate bowl.
Slowly add the warm milk to the egg mixture while continuously whisking the mixture.
Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and heat slowly, stirring continuously until mixture thickens to loose pudding texture. DO NOT BOIL! Let it cool to room temperature.
Whisk in the cream and vanilla.
Follow your ice cream maker directions for freezing.

CARNE ASADA

According to Wikipedia Carne asada is a roasted beef dish, literally meaning “roasted meat”^[1]^[2]. The dish mainly consists of pieces or thin cuts of beef (e.g. flank steak, skirt steak), sometimes marinated, sometimes lightly salted or rubbed with salt, pepper and/or spices, and then grilled. It can be eaten alone, with side dishes, chopped and eaten as tacos, or chopped and used as filler for tortas, burritos, etc. It is commonly accompanied with guacamole, salsa, beans, and grilled scallions and tortillas.

The dish is commonly prepared in the northern parts of Mexico (in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Coahuila, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas) as well as in the American Southwest (especially Texas and New Mexico). It can be found as the main ingredient in tacos, tortas, burritos and fajitas, or is simply served as a stand-alone. It is sold at Mexican meat markets called “carnicerias” in the American Southwest; especially those states with Mexican/Mexican-American enclaves.

When purchasing carne asada from meat markets, consumers have two options available to them regarding the amount of preparation the steak has undergone pre-purchase: preparada, marinated meat as described above, serving as a time-saver for the home cook but typically at higher cost; and no preparada, unprepared meat, allowing for a home cook to create one’s own marinade. I buy unprepared meat and doctor my own.

What you have left after the marinating.

CARNE ASADA

2-3 pounds flank or skirt steak, sliced THIN

1 medium Vidalia onion, sliced thin

2 lemons, 1 sliced thin, 1 wedged for squeezing

1 lime, sliced thin

1 orange, sliced thin

1/3 cup champagne vinegar

2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground white pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika

Soak the meat in the vinegar for an hour or so.
Remove meat from vinegar and dry on paper towels.
Sift together all the seasonings and rub into the meat on both sides.
Layer the meat into a container alternating with the slices of lemon, limes, oranges and onions squeezing lemon juice on each layer as you go.
Let marinate for overnight or a day or so.
Grill on a VERY hot grill to desired doneness.
Serve with warm tortillas, Fresh Guacamole and Garden Tomato Salsa.

PARIKA POT ROAST

PAPRIKA POT ROAST

2 pound chuck roast
2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 KNORR concentrated beef stock
2 cups hot water
1 large Vidalia sweet onion, sectioned in pieces
1 bag baby carrots
6 ounces roasted red sweet peppers, cut into strips
2 tablespoons cornstarch
8 ounces sour cream
2 cups wide egg noodles
4 tablespoons butter

Generously salt and pepper roast on both sides.
Rub paprika into both sides of roast until well coated.
Whisk together the hot water and beef stock. Place in a slow cooker.
Top with the tomatoes, onions, carrots, sweet peppers and the broth.
Cover and cook on low 10-12 hours or 5-6 hours on high.
Remove the meat and shred with forks.
Whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth and add to the slow cooker blending well.
Add the meat back in and cook another 30 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the noodles al dente’.
Toss noodles with butter.
Stir in sour cream into slow cooker and serve over noodles.

BEEF BARLEY STEW

BEEF BARLEY STEW

1 1/2 pounds boneless chuck roast

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

3 tablespoons butter

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1/2 red onion, chopped

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups beef broth

1 can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon Thyme

2-3 cups root vegetable pieces (I used carrots and parsnips)

2/3 cup barley

1 tablespoon blood orange vinegar (red wine is great too)

Bring meat to room temperature.
Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Melt butter in dutch oven over medium high heat.
Add meat and brown on all sides.
Remove meat with a slotted spoon.
Add onions and garlic, sauteing until garlic is fragrant and onions are soft and slightly browned.
Stir in broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Thyme and root vegetables.
Gently simmer for 1-2 hours, covered.
Stir in barley and continuing simmering until barley is tender.
Stir in vinegar.

BAKED MEATBALLS w/ ONION GRAVY

MEATBALLS

1 pound hamburger

1 pound ground pork

2 bunches green onions, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup Panko crumbs or crushed saltines

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon bail

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon white pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Using your hands blend all the ingredients together.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Roll meatballs into golf ball size meatballs.
Bake for 30-45.
Bake how ever many you need today and freeze the others for future meals. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.

ONION GRAVY

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons self-rising flour

1 tablespoons cream sherry

2 cups hot water

1 tablespoon better than bouillon beef base

1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet

salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet melt the butter for the gravy. Saute the onions until browned.
Add the bouillon base, cream sherry and hot water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, add flour and continue cooking to desired consistency.

MEAT LASAGNA

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil
1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles(I like the Barilla no cook)
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned.
Stir in crushed tomatoes (juice included) and tomato sauce.
Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water OR use no bake noodles.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.
Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

My mom got me this new lasgana pan from Chicago Metallic for Christmas and I have to say it is awesome. Lasagna no longer is a mess to cut and each edge of cheese is crispy and just perfect! Assembly is also a breeze with no overlapping. You can even make 3 different flavors at once. I can’t wait to try it on some banana bread and meatloafs.

MEAT LASAGNA & CHICAGO METALLIC’S 3-ROW LASGANA PAN

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

3/4 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced sweet onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil

1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles(I like the Barilla no cook)

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned.
Stir in crushed tomatoes (juice included) and tomato sauce.
Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water OR use no bake noodles.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.
Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

STUFFED MEATBALLS & ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

STUFFED MEATBALLS &

ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

I start with whatever vegetables I have in the vegetable bin. Today was Roma tomatoes, celery stalks, green onions and snap peas.
Then I drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper over it all and bake it for an hour at 400 degrees.
I started the sauce with a can of Contadina tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Better than Beef Bouillon paste, 2 cups orange juice and a V8. This truly was a clean out the fridge day.
When done roasting add the vegetables to the sauce and set to simmer all day. The vegetables will continue to cook down into a uniform consistency with the sauce. Salt & pepper taste.

For the meatballs:
1 pound hamburger
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 large slices sourdough bread, crumbled
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 bunch green onions, finely minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces, cut into 1 inch cubes

Crumble bread into a large bowl.
Toss in Parmesan cheese, parsley, green onions and garlic.
Add meat and with your hands mix extremely well until you have a uniform mixture.
Roll meatballs around a Parmesan cheese cube.
Chill Meatballs until sauce is done.
Just before the sauce is finished, brown meatballs.**
Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a medium high simmer until meatballs are cooked though, about 20 minutes.
Prepare pasta and Parmesan Cheese Bread while meatballs are cooking.
Enjoy

**If you prefer you can add the meatballs directly to the sauce and SLOW simmer for a couple hours instead of browning.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie Recipe from Dawn’s Daily Life
9 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 (6 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (15 ounce) can green beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons milk
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and cook over high heat. Boil for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat; drain fat. Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce to taste, salt, pepper, green beans and corn. In a separate bowl, mix flour with the 3 tablespoons water and stir into beef mixture. Pour this mixture into a casserole dish. Stir all together well. Drain the potatoes, mash and spread over the beef mixture. Place 2 to 3 vent holes through the mashed potatoes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Brush the milk over the potatoes for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Modifications:
-I added 2 cloves of garlic, 1 onion and 1 green pepper to this recipe.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Peel and cut up about 10 potatoes and put them on to boil
Slice up a green pepper.

Coarsely chop 2 garlic cloves and slice up an onion.

Brown about 1 1/2lbs of lean ground beef.

Add the garlic, onion and green pepper.

Add 1 small can of tomato sauce.

Drain and rinse a can of corn and a can of green beans and added it to the mixture.

Add 7 or 8 good shakes of worcestershire.

While that mixture is cooking, measure out 2T of all-purpose flour and 3T of water. Mix it together and then mix it into the pan.

Grease a 9×13 baking dish and put the mixture in it.

Drain the potatoes and then added a tad of butter. Mash.

Once mashed up, I scoop the potatoes over the meat mixture and poke 4 holes in it.

Popped it into the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

With a few minutes left to go, I measured out 3 tablespoons of milk and started to brush it on the potatoes. That was too much of a pain so I just drizzled it all over the top.

Here’s what you’ll end up with:

Review:

I almost just made the mashed potatoes on the side and served it that way but I really wanted to try to stay as close to the recipe as possible. I’m glad I did!

I added the garlic, onion and green peppers and it did add a lot of flavor. In hindsight, though, I think I should have left out the green peppers. The texture was pretty close to that of the green beans and while it wasn’t bad, it just didn’t add a lot to it.

If you aren’t going to be all critical about the authenticity of what you put in the dish, I think you could really add anything you wanted–mushrooms, ground turkey, beans, etc.

I’d say to definitely give this recipe a try. It was easy and tasty!

Hope you enjoy!

April

MINESTRONE SOUP

MINESTRONE SOUP

MARVELOUS MINI-MEATLOAVES

I found tonight’s main dish on a blog, Gourmet Meals for Less, and I knew that Scott liked meatloaf so I thought I would give it a try.

Marvelous Mini Meatloaves–
makes 12 meatloaves

l pound extra-lean ground beef (1.69)
1 pkg. (6 oz.) Chicken flavored stuffing mix (use the cheapest you can find)
1 cup water

and choose from your favorite of the following combinations:

1 teaspoon italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce, shredded mozzarella
2 teaspoon chili powder, chunky salsa, mexi-cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder, bbq sauce, cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.
Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and preferred seasoning until well blended.
Press into 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.
Make indentation in center of each with back of spoon; fill each evenly with spoonful of preferred sauce.
Bake 30-40 min. or until meatloaves are done (160°F).
Top each meatloaf with sprinkle of cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.
Let stand 10 min.

Make Ahead and Freeze: Bake meatloaves as directed. Remove from muffin cups; cool completely. Place in single layer on baking sheet; freeze 1 hour. Transfer to airtight container. Store in freezer up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator, and then reheat in 375°F-oven 20 min. or until heated through.

Here’s what you’ll need:

(we went with the Italian Seasoning, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Put the hamburger meat in a bowl and add the stuffing.
Add 7-8 good dashes of Italian seasoning and 1 cup of water. Mix together.
Spray a muffin pan with Pam and then stuff each pan with the meat.

Push a little hole in the middle of each.
Scoop in 1 Tbsp of spaghetti sauce in each (if you are making the Italian-style).
Bake for 40 minutes.

Once the meat is cooked through, pull out and add cheese to the top. Put back in for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Here’s what you’ll end up with:

This is the type of meal, too, in which if some of the people in your family like Mexican and some like Italian then it would be easy to make 6 of each. Plus, I love how the recipe tells you how to make ahead and freeze, too.

If I could have changed one thing, I think next time I won’t get a chicken flavored stuffing. I think, instead, I would look to see what other varieties there were. For me, there was still just a hint of the taste of stuffing instead of traditional crumbled up crackers or I guess you could even use just bread crumbs as a binding.
Either way, we will definitely be having this meal again!

Hope you enjoy!
April

Category: BEEF