Red wine has always been my go to for beef stew…it gives it such a rich flavor. But as I was putting a pot of stew together this past Sunday I realized we were out of red wine. And in good old Minnesota there are no liquor stores open on Sundays which left me no option but to try something new…and the only thing I could come up with that had potential was balsamic vinegar. Its rich and bold and so savory. Ill never go back…peace out, red wine. This is the real deal, right here. Best beef stew I have ever made. Continue reading
Beef + Lamb
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
I have been playing around with stuffed peppers forever. Quite honestly, I don’t love them. I’m not sure what exactly it is about them but the flavor has just never knocked my socks off; and the rice has always thrown me off a bit. Which is why I took them on a little trip down Mexico road 😉 And now? A taco in a pepper bowl…with all the goods piled right on top. I’m sold.
I’ve tested them all sorts of ways: precooking the meat before stuffing them, with rice, without, tomato sauce, or not, different cheeses and spices…but this is my favorite version. Easy peasy and delicious!
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
3 Bell Peppers, seeded, cored and halved
1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
1 Cup Pinto or Black Beans
1 (15 Ounce) Can Tomato Sauce
1 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
3/4 Cup Frozen Corn
3 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 Avocado, diced
1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1/3 Cup Salsa
Directions
Preheat oven 350. In a large bowl mix together beef, beans, tomato sauce, 3/4 cup cheese, corn and taco seasoning. Stuff the mixture into the pepper halves and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until filling is cooked through and peppers are beginning to soften.
While peppers are cooking, whisk together the greek yogurt, sour cream and salsa. Top cooked peppers with diced avocado and yogurt sauce. Serves 4-6.
Quick Pizza Burgers
Hello my friends! I apologize for my absence this week…family in town (and a VERY happy me). But here is something to snack on for now; If you are searching for the worlds easiest, fastest, most kid-friendly recipe on the planet check out my version of pizza burgers published here.
Have a stupendous weekend!
xo
At Home Cheesesteaks
When my big brother lived in Philly he would bring us home the real deal when he came back to visit…cheesesteaks that were absolutely positively out of this world. Now I will tell you, this brother of mine has taught me a lot about a lot over the years…sort of the jack of all trades. But I must admit even greater than my appreciation for him teaching me about business and music and oh so much more (like being one of the worlds largest smart asses) is my gratitude for him teaching me about the philly cheesesteak. I can’t even tell you how I drool at the thought of them; and I’ve never even had a fresh one, just the reheated in the oven version but my goodness they tasted exactly what I picture everything to taste like in heaven. Thanks to you, Dan, I have sleepless nights trying to figure out how I can get my hands on just one more of these. Would you mind moving back there so that you could go back to delivering them?
Now while I truly do believe nothing I ever attempt will compare to the authentic cheesesteak from Philly..these are the at home version we have been making for quite some time now and they are wonderful. Tasty enough to hit the cheesesteak spot without having to hop on a plane en route to the city of brotherly love. They are so fast, so simple, and healthier than the classic version but you still get that gooey, cheesy, savory filling piled on top of the soft yet slightly crusty bread. I could go for about 20 of these right now. If you plan to make these tonight…give me a call.
At Home Cheesesteaks
Adapted from Cooks Illustrated March/April 2012
Note: Now I have a feeling I am going to get lectured by my brother for topping them with peppers and onions because thats not the authentic way of doing it. This addition is purely optional people. It adds crunch and color and vitamins and minerals but we love to eat the sandwiches both with and without them…you pick.
Ingredients
2 Pounds Skirt Steak, trimmed and sliced into 3 inch strips
3 Whole Grain Rolls, sliced and slightly toasted
2 Tablespoons Peanut Oil
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan
10 Slices Provolone Cheese
Directions
Freeze the steak slices in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet for 30 minutes, or until very firm (this will make shaving thin easier). With a very sharp knife, shave the steak pieces as thinly as possible against the grain.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over hight heat in a nonstick skillet until it begins to smoke. Add half of the meat in an even layer and cook, without stirring, until browned, about 3 minutes. Stir the meat and cook until it is cooked through, about 2 additional minutes. Transfer the meat to a colander and repeat the process with the remaining oil and meat.
Return the same skillet to medium heat and place all of the meat back in the skillet. Add salt and pepper and cook until meat is heated through, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low, sprinkle with parmesan and lay the provolone slices over the meat. Allow the cheese to melt and then fold the cheese into the meat. Distribute evenly on top of the bread and serve open faced. Top with peppers and onions, if using. Serves 6.
Beef and Butternut Squash Stew
This has been a favorite recipe of mine for truly as long as I remember living on my own. I would even make it for just myself in my single days and eat it for lunches and dinners for the entire week. It’s so rich and wholesome and pairs just beautifully with a cold day and a hungry tummy. An awesome way to switch up your typical beef stew…and I have a feeling once you try this one you may retire that old recipe, anyway. Ideal for entertaining, too, because the longer it sits the more the flavors develop, so make it ahead of time and serve it to your company with a nice green salad and crusty bread….but only if you feel like being praised beyond belief 🙂
Beef and Butternut Squash Stew
barely adapted from this recipe
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
4 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1 Large Carrot, Sliced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Chopped Rosemary
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 3/4-2 Pounds Stew Beef
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch + 2 Tablespoons Cold Water
1 Cup Red Wine
1 Pound Butternut Squash, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 Cup Chopped Sun Dried Tomatoes
3-4 Cups Beef Broth
Directions
Heat olive oil in a soup pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion, rosemary and thyme and sauté until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Toss the beef with salt and pepper and add to the pan along with the garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add wine and scrape the bottom of the pot well, releasing any of the browned bits from the pot. Add tomatoes, carrots and enough broth to cover the beef and bring the pot to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes. Mix together the arrowroot or cornstarch and water in a separate bowl and stir that into the stew along with the butternut squash. Return to a simmer, cover and cook an additional 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Serves 4.
Messy Joes
Who really likes the word “sloppy” when it comes to food, anyway? It makes me think of a lunch lady and hair net and a big scoop of God knows what on a compartmentalized plate. If you tell me your serving me slop for dinner… sorry, but peace out folks. In the case of the “sloppy joe” sandwich I think I’d prefer to call it messy. Messy as in you take a bite and the sweet, savory, saucy filling comes slightly oozing out of the other end. And then some of the juice may run down your arm. And you might need a couple of extra napkins for your face. Absolutely my kind of sandwich and this recipe will put that ridiculous can on the shelf to shame; both in taste and nutrition. Your family will thank you 🙂
Messy Joes
adapted from Gourmet, October 2007
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Medium Carrots, chopped
5 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Sweet Paprika
1/2 Cup Dry Red Wine
15 Ounce Can Crushed or Pureed Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Honey
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
Whole Grain Rolls, for serving
Directions
Heat olive oil in a heavy, large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots and sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add beef and garlic and cook until the beef browned, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin and paprika and cook for 1 additional minute. Add wine, tomatoes, worcestershire, honey and balsamic and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a heavy simmer/light boil and let the mixture simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve on whole grain rolls. Serves 4-6.
Our Favorite Tacos
This is our favorite way to eat ground beef or turkey tacos. It’s such a simple recipe but with a few “new touches” it really takes your standard taco from ordinary to extraordinary.
Our Favorite Tacos
adapted from this recipe
Ingredients
1 3/4 Pounds Ground Beef or Turkey
3 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 15 Ounce Can Pinto Beans, drained
2/3 Cup Hot Water
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Salsa
Chopped Leafy Green Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3 Tablespoons Peanut or Sunflower Oil
12 Soft Corn Tortillas
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 and brush both sides of the tortillas lightly with peanut oil. Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through cooking. While tortillas are cooking stir together sour cream and salsa. Set tortillas and salsa mixture aside.
Brown ground beef or turkey in a large skillet and drain fat. Add taco seasoning, tomato paste, beans and water and simmer over medium heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
To build tacos, top tortillas with lettuce, ground beef/turkey mixture, cheese, tomatoes and salsa mixture.
Lamb Meatballs with Tomato Sauce and Greek Yogurt
Yum. Thats all I can say. This is a favorite in our house…and I have a feeling it could be in yours, too. The dollop of cool greek yogurt on top compliments the rich lamb and sauce so well.
Lamb Meatballs with Tomato Sauce and Greek Yogurt
Adapted from this recipe
Notes: To make soft breadcrumbs simply crumble sliced bread with your hands until small crumbs form or give it a pulse in your food processor. I use Ezekiel bread for its sprouted-grain benefits but any bread will do. Also, the sauce is delicious made with both red or white wine…the red gives it a deeper, more rich flavor and the white will lighten and brighten it up a bit. I tend to use white in the summer and red in the winter because thats typically what we have on hand.
Ingredients
1/3 cup whole grain soft breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons Water
1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Sun Dried Tomatoes
6 Cloves Garlic, grated or pressed
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Pound Ground Lamb
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Small Onion, diced
1/2 Cup Red or White Wine
1/4 Cup Chicken Stock
15 Ounce Can Petitie Diced Tomatoes
1 Spring Fresh Rosemary
1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
Greek Yogurt, for serving
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, for serving
Directions
In a large bowl mix the breadcrumbs and the water together until crumbs are coated. Add parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper and lamb and mix with your hands until ingredients are just combined. Use a tablespoon scoop to form the mixture into balls.
In a large skillet or dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add half of the meatballs and cook, turning occasionaly, until browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes (they do not need to be cooked thru). Remove from the pan and repeat with the rest of the meatballs.
Drain the grease from the pan and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 4 cloves of garlic, turn the heat up to high and add the wine. Boil for 2 minutes, scraping up the browned meatball bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes and rosemary and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar, add meatballs back to the pan, cover and cook until meatballs are cooked thru, about 5 minutes. Remove rosemary stem and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve meatballs over brown rice and top with a dollop of greek yogurt and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Serves 4.
Bleu Cheese Burgers
These are just simply magnificent. They really can be made with any cheese but topping them with bleu at the end of grilling makes for the gooiest, most delicious flavored burger ever. I have made these for company over and over and based on the reviews will never stop. SO easy to put together and I often make the patties up to 8 hours ahead of time so that I can just throw them on the grill and not have to fuss while entertaining. Serve these on top of your favorite hamburger rolls or like I do; wrapped in a large romaine lettuce leaf and topped with red onion, tomato and mustard. I mean, do you see that cheese dripping down the sides? Wait till you taste them. I’m salivating.
Bleu Cheese Burgers
Ingredients
1 Pound Angus Ground Beef, preferably 85% lean
2 Green Onions, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Dijon
1 Egg, lightly beaten
4-6 Ounces Bleu Cheese, crumbled
Directions
Preheat grill over high heat. In a large bowl add green onions, dijon and egg and stir to combine. Add beef and mix with your hands until just combined; try not to over mix. Divide mixture into four portions and shape into burger patties. Season both sides of the burgers liberally with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook for about 7 minutes, with the lid closed. Flip burgers over and cook for another 6 minutes or until desired doneness. Turn off the grill, top the burgers with bleu cheese and close the lid until the cheese just begins to melt, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and serve.
Grilled Steak Salad with Tomato-Balsamic Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette is just plain delicious. Quite frankly, I would be happy eating it with a spoon. Or simply bathing in it. What? But then you throw smokey grilled steak, creamy bleu cheese, chewy bread and crunchy radishes into the mix? Lord help me.
Grilled Steak Salad with Tomato-Balsamic Vinaigrette
adapted from this recipe
Ingredients
1 Medium Tomato, halved
1 Tablespoon Finely Chopped Shallot
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Pound Top Sirloin Filet, both sides seasoned with salt and pepper
2 1/2-Inch-Thick Slices Whole Grain Baguette
1/4 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3 Cups Baby Arugula
4 Radishes, halved and sliced
2 Ounces Bleu Cheese, crumbled
Directions
Make Vinaigrette: Grate the cut sides of the tomato into a medium bowl until you get down to the skin, toss the skin away. Add shallot, balsamic vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil until well combined. Set aside. Can be refrigerated and chilled up to a day in advance.
Grill Steak and Bread: Heat grill to moderately high heat. Brush both sides of the steak with the vinaigrette and place on the grill. Cook, with the lid closed, for 5 minutes. Flip steak over and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until desired doneness; my cook times should yield a medium rare steak. Remove from heat and let rest for at least ten minutes before slicing. While steak is resting brush both sides of the bread with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place on the grill and cook until nicely toasted and starting to char, about 2 minutes per side.
Build Salad: In a large bowl break up the toasted bread into cubes. Add arugula and radish and drizzle about 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette on top. Gently toss with your hands and add more vinaigrette as desired. Distribute salad amongst 2 dishes and top with bleu cheese and sliced steak. Serves 2 as a main course.
















