Category: BEEF

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES #1 ~ GOLDEN FUNGUS BURGER

Over at THE Motivation Station I’m going to be doing a series of posts about eating on $1 a day per person.  Trust me it can be done.  One of the awesome things though is that it can be done and make you feel like you’re eating like a gourmet while doing it.

This is my first recipe in the BUNLESS BURGER SERIES.  Bread in general is expensive and can be timely to make.  It also doesn’t help on my diet so thought I would try going “bunless” and we are soooooooooooooooo glad we did.  With planning to eat the burger with a knife and fork I was able to add so many more ingredients that would have otherwise made the bun mushy and slippery.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

So simple, but oh so yummy too.

GOLDEN FUNGUS BURGER
2 1/3 # burger patties
1/2 large Vidalia onion, sliced thin
4-5 large button mushrooms, sliced thin
1 large Roma tomato or 4 baby Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
1/4 cup Chablis
1/3 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • Grill burgers inside or out. I add just a touch of Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the meat and hand form the patties.
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter.
  • When sizzling add onions and saute’ until translucent.
  • Add mushrooms and saute until tender.
  • Add wine and continue sauteing until moisture has sizzled away.
  • Add tomatoes until heated through.
  • Plate burger.
  • Top with onion mixture and then cheese.  I use the pan lid over the plate for a minute to melt the cheese.

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SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS

On the weekends when we are going to be home all day, I LOVE the smell of something scrumptious cooking and this recipe is one of my favorites. The great thing about this recipe though is that it’s great for working moms during the week too.

SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS
1 1/2 pounds ground beef*
4 slices stale sourdough bread made into crumbs
1 JUMBO egg, beaten
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 can cream of golden mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil

  • With your hands mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and half the seasonings.
  • Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
  • Spray the bottom of the slow cooker lightly with PURE.
  • Gently lay the meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Mix together the soup, broth and tomatoes.
  • Pour over meatballs.
  • Cover and cook 7-9 hours on low.
*I like to make my own ground beef when brisket is on sale. It makes for a richer tasting beef flavor! Thank you Tyler Florence!

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Pizza Casserole: Lovin’ From The Oven

This recipe was originally meant for the slow cooker, but after making it, I realized it would have been a lot easier to simply bake it.  Any crock pot recipe that isn’t easy, that makes you cook two or three things separately, just shouldn’t be a crock pot recipe in my opinion. So that being said, the pictures you are about to see take place in a slow cooker.   You will have to use your imagination.  (Tamy, this would look great in your new white roaster!)

Pizza Casserole: 
1 package egg noodles, cooked
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (a combo of beef and pork would be great)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 small can mushrooms
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
+ your favorite pizza toppings (1 cup ham or pepperoni, green peppers, black olives, etc)
3 cups each shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese (I added some Provolone, too)
Cook the hamburger with the onion.  Combine the meat with the spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning. 

For Crockpot: Spray crock with PAM.  Layer the meat sauce, then noodles then pizza toppings then cheese three times.  This completely filled my large crock pot.  Cook on low 3-4 hours.
For Oven: Spray a very large casserole or maybe two 9 X 13 pans with PAM and layer 2 or 3 times like you would in the Crockpot.  Cover with foil and bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until cheese is melted and all is heated through.  (Note: you could eat one and freeze one before you baked it)

SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS

On the weekends when we are going to be home all day, I LOVE the smell of something scrumptious cooking and this recipe is one of my favorites. The great thing about this recipe though is that it’s great for working moms during the week too.

SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS
1 1/2 pounds ground beef*
4 slices stale sourdough bread made into crumbs
1 JUMBO egg, beaten
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 can cream of golden mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil

  • With your hands mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and half the seasonings.
  • Spray the bottom of the slow cooker lightly with PURE.
  • Gently lay the meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Mix together the soup, broth and tomatoes.
  • Pour over meatballs.
  • Cover and cook 7-9 hours on low.
*I like to make my own when brisket is on sale. It makes for a richer tasting beef flavor!
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MEXICAN BEEF TORTILLA CASSEROLE



BEFORE BAKING~~~~~AFTER BAKING

MEXICAN BEEF TORTILLA CASSEROLE
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
4 ounce can diced green chiles, drained
1 cup milk
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cups grated jack and cheddar cheese mix
Tortilla chips

  • Saute’ beef and onion until well browned. Drain off fat.
  • In a saucepan over a medium heat combine soup, chiles, tomatoes, cheese and milk until well blended, cheese is melted and mixture starts to bubble.
  • Spray a 9×9 baking dish with PURE.
  • Loosely layer tortilla chips in bottom of casserole.
  • Top with meat mixture.
  • Pour cheese mixture over meat mixture.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

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FRIJOLE CHILI

What do you do with leftover refried beans? Make chili of course. One of the things I have done for many years is menu plan. Nothing, and I mean nothing goes to waste around this house! I made this recipe a few years ago to use up some leftovers and it quickly became our favorite alternative chili.

FRIJOLE CHILI
1/2 batch refried beans *
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cans Rotel original tomatoes with chiles
2 cups beef broth (2 tablespoons Better than beef bouillon + 2 cups hot water
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper

  • Brown ground beef and onion. Drain fat.
  • In a large sauce pan, combine remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.
  • Add ground beef and onions. Heat through.
  • Top with a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheese.

*you can substitute 1 can of refried beans if you prefer

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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.

All my pictures are before as we’re having it for dinner tonight. I’ll add an after picture later.




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.
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BEEF & BROCCOLI

BEEF & BROCCOLI
1 pound flank or round steak cut into thin strips
3 cups broccoli florets
3/4 cup snap pea pieces
1 Jumbo egg, white only
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
1 small bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon Better than Beef Bouillon

  • Slice meat into thin strips.
  • Whisk together the egg white and cornstarch.
  • Pour over meat and toss to coat well.
  • Marinate in the refrigerator for an hour or so before preparing the meal.
  • Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok.
  • Saute’ broccoli pieces for several minutes until crisp, but tender and then add garlic and onion slices.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and add more oil if necessary.
  • Stir fry meat pieces for several minutes until cooked through.
  • Whisk together the hot water, bouillon, soy sauce, sugar, ginger and red pepper flakes until well blended.
  • Add broth mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until glaze forms/
  • Add vegetables back in and heat through.



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CHEESEBURGER CUPS

CHEESEBURGER CUPS
1 pound ground beef
1 small bunch green onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 ounce tube buttermilk biscuits
12 2×2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a large skillet brown ground beef and green onions.
  • Drain off fat.
  • Stir in ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
  • Grease a each cup of a muffin tin.
  • Press a biscuit into each muffin hole and upp the sides.
  • Spoon beef mixture into each cup.
  • Top with a slice of cheese.
  • Bake 14-16 minutes or until golden brown and done.
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TWISTED PEPPER STEAK IN GRAVY

1-2 tablespoons light olive oil
2 pounds round steak, trimmed of fat and cut into 3 inch slices
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red pepper, sliced into thin strips
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic (jar)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1 can beef consomme or
a scant 2 cups hot water with 2 teaspoons beef granules
Roux

  • In a large skillet heat olive oil
  • When hot, brown the beef slices, drain and transfer to the slow cooker
  • In the same pan combine the consomme, onions, tomatoes and juice, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic and soy sauce.
  • Bring to a slow boil.
  • Pour over beef.
  • Cover and cook on high for 1 hour
  • Reduce the heat to low and cook 3-4 hours until beef is tender
  • Add the red pepper
  • Cook 1 more hour
  • Return heat to high
  • Using a large pasta claw remove the meat and peppers to serving bowl
  • Add Roux
  • Stir into the gravy and cook until desired thickness
  • Pour over meat in serving bowl and toss to coat
  • Serve over white rice or noodles



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MEATLOAF MUFFINS

1 pound lean hamburger
1 box onion and mushroom stove top
1 clove minced garlic
2 eggs
1 cup water

  • Mix all together and then divide amongst 12 muffin cups.
  • Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes.

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Hamburger Steaks with Parmesan Potatoes and Onion Gravy



HAMBURGER STEAKS
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound hamburger
1 sleeve Keebler club crackers, crushed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 Jumbo eggs
1 tablespoon liquid Smoke – MYSTERY ingredient
PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES
6 medium red potatoes, washed and cut into pieces
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4-1/2 cup Buttermilk
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

  • Combine all the hamburger steak ingredients until well mixed. Form six steaks.
  • Bake 30 minutes in convection oven at 350 degrees.
  • 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.
  • Bring potatoes to a boil until tender. Drain.
  • Combine potato ingredients and beat until smooth.
  • Enjoy

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