Where's the Beef?

For many years, beef was king of the food world, at least when it came to protein. Even with all the ways to get protein in your diet - chicken, pork, and the many vegetarian protein-rich foods like tofu - beef is still king for many people.

For anyone who heads straight for the meat counter at the grocery store, here are six beefy recipes to try out. Enjoy!

Note: I have to admit that I'm a vegetarian ("oh, no, she's one of them!!!"), but I did spend many years eating burgers, steak, and meatloaf. Everyone has their preferences.

LEAN & SPICY TACO MEAT

This recipe begins, “A combination of lean ground beef and ultra-lean ground turkey breast makes a less-greasy filling. Bypass taco-seasoning packets in favor of making your own full-flavored filling.” Total time: 30 minutes; Makes 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces 93%-lean ground beef

8 ounces 99%-lean ground turkey breast

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, preferably Rotel brand (see Tip), or 1 1/4 cups petite-diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile, or 1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat just before serving.

6 servings, about 1/2 cup each

Place beef, turkey and onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain off fat. Wipe out the pan. Return the meat to the pan and add tomatoes, cumin, ground chipotle (or chili powder) and oregano. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 3 to 6 minutes.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Per serving: Calories: 98; Carbohydrates: 3g; Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g;Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Protein: 17g; Cholesterol: l35mg; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Potassium: 26mg; Sodium243: mg; Added Sugars: 0g; Exchanges: 3 1/2 very lean meat; Carbohydrate Servings: 0

ORANGE-SCENTED BEEF STIR-FRY

This recipe begins, “Orange marmalade is the secret ingredient in this quick stir-fry. For variations, substitute chicken, shrimp, pork or tofu for the beef; adjusting the cooking time accordingly.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 4 servings, 1 1/4 cups each

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons orange marmalade

1 tablespoon oyster-flavored sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 1/2-2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce

4 teaspoons canola oil, divided

12 ounces beef top sirloin, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/4-inch strips

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1 large onion, slivered (1 1/2-2 cups)

1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)

1 pound broccoli florets, (about 4 cups)

Directions

Combine 1/4 cup broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, marmalade, oyster sauce, vinegar and chile-garlic sauce in a small bowl; mix well.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add half the beef; stir-fry until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Stir-fry the remaining beef in 1 teaspoon oil; transfer to the plate.

Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the wok. Add ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds. Add onion; stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add bell pepper and broccoli; stir-fry for 30 seconds. Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup broth, cover and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Push the vegetables to the sides. Stir the sauce mixture and add it to the wok. Cook, stirring, until the sauce becomes thick and translucent. Stir the vegetables into the sauce and return the beef to the wok; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 4; Per serving: 265 Calories; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g; Protein: 20 g; Cholesterol: 41 mg; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; 541mg Potassium: 541 mg; Sodium: 560g; Added Sugars: 0g; other carbohydrate: 1/2; vegetable: 2; lean meat Exchanges: 3; Carbohydrate Servings: 1; Vitamin C (273% daily value); Vitamin A (105% dv); Zinc (27% dv); Folate (24% dv); Iron (20% dv); Potassium (15% dv)

COMFORTING CROCK POT CHILI

This recipe begins, “This classic and simple crock pot chili is sure to please your taste buds!”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey breast or very lean ground beef

1 large onion — finely chopped

5 oz pinto beans — rinsed and drained

8 1/2 oz corn — rinsed and drained

15 oz tomato sauce

14 1/2 oz diced tomatoes

10 oz diced tomato and green chilies

1 tbs. chili powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

In nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer meat to Crock Pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Cook on "high" for 4 hours; remove lid and stir quickly halfway through.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; Serving size: 1 cup; Per serving: Calories: 214; Carbohydrate: 24g; Protein: 16g; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Sodium: 901 mg; Fiber: 5

HUNGARIAN BEEF GOULASH

This recipe begins, “This streamlined goulash skips the step of browning the beef, and instead coats it in a spice crust to give it a rich mahogany hue. This saucy dish is a natural served over whole-wheat egg noodles. Or, for something different, try prepared potato gnocchi or spaetzle.”

To view this online, click here.

Total Time: 4 1/ 2 – 8 hours

Ingredients

2 pounds beef stew meat, (such as chuck), trimmed and cubed

2 teaspoons caraway seeds

1 1/2-2 tablespoons sweet or hot paprika, (or a mixture of the two), preferably Hungarian (see Ingredient Note)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium beef broth

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. | Prep ahead: Trim beef and coat with spice mixture. Prepare vegetables. Combine tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Refrigerate in separate covered containers for up to 1 day.

8 servings, about 1 cup each

Place beef in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Crush caraway seeds with the bottom of a saucepan. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in paprika, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the beef with the spice mixture and toss to coat well. Top with onion and bell pepper.

Combine tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce and garlic in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer. Pour over the beef and vegetables. Place bay leaves on top. Cover and cook until the beef is very tender, 4 to 4 1/2 hours on high or 7 to 7 1/2 hours on low.

Discard the bay leaves; skim or blot any visible fat from the surface of the stew. Add the cornstarch mixture to the stew and cook on high, stirring 2 or 3 times, until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 4 months. | Prep ahead: Trim beef and coat with spice mixture. Prepare vegetables. Combine tomatoes, broth, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Refrigerate in separate covered containers for up to 1 day.

Ingredient Note: Paprika specifically labeled as “Hungarian” is worth seeking out for this dish because it delivers a fuller, richer flavor than regular or Spanish paprika. Find it at specialty-foods store or online at HungarianDeli.com and penzeys.com.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; Per serving: Calories: 177; Carbohydrates:7g; Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Protein: 25g; Cholesterol: 49mg; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Potassium: 288mg; Sodium: 340mg; Added Sugars: 0g; Exchanges: 1 vegetable; 3 lean meat; Carbohydrate Servings: 1/2

TEXAS RED CHILI

Servings: 8

Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/90.shtml

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=90

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 beef brisket (about 2 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1 cup chopped onion

3 jalapeno chiles, halved, seeded and finely, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 cup chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 can (13-3/4 ounces) beef broth

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes

1 bottle (12 ounces) beer

1 bay leaf

Lime wedges for garnish

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches, saute brisket until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add onion, jalapenos and garlic to drippings in pot; cook over medium-low heat until onion is very tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and red pepper; cook 1 minute. Return meat to pot.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, beer and bay leaf. Heat to boiling. Lower heat; simmer with cover slightly ajar until meat is tender, about 1-1/2 hours. For last 20 minutes, uncover to thicken chili.

To serve, ladle chili into bowls. Garnish each bowl with lime wedge.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 334; Protein: 30 g; Fat: 17 g; Sodium: 712 mg; Cholesterol: 84 mg; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch; 4 Medium-Fat Meat

GRILLED INDIAN KABOBS WITH SWEET ONIONS AND RED BELL PEPPERS

This recipe begins, “These delicious, colorful kabobs are terrific served with a medley of grilled vegetables. The Indian spice rub can be made several days in advance. Place in a covered jar and refrigerate until ready to use.”

Serves 8-10.

Source: NPB

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/830.shtml

Ingredients

1 bone-in sirloin pork roast, about 4 pounds, boned and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

2 large red bell peppers, seeded, deribbed, and cut into 1-inch squares

2 large sweet onions, such as Walla Walla or Vidalia, cut into 1-inch chunks

12 (12-inch) skewers , soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Indian Spice Paste:

4 large cloves garlic

2 tablespoons curry powder

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons water

Directions

To make Indian spice paste, place garlic in food processor and process until minced. Add spices, lemon juice, oil, and water. Process until thoroughly combined.

Place pork in large self-sealing plastic bag. Pour paste over pork and mix pork with paste until pork is evenly coated. Seal bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Prepare medium-hot fire in charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high. Thread pork onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red pepper and onion. Spray grill grate with vegetable oil spray. Grill kabobs directly over medium-hot fire, turning to brown evenly on all sides, for total of 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to warm platter or individual dinner plates and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 225; Protein: 27 g; Sodium: 420 mg; Cholesterol: 80 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g