Where's the Beef?

It's time for another Double-Post Thursday. Here are six beefy recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

MAKE-AHEAD ITALIAN MEATBALLS

This comes from FamilyTime.com, and begins, “Keep these easy-to-make meatballs on hand for last-minute dinner creations. Tossed with pasta or baked into a casserole, the possibilities are endless!” Serves: makes 30 appetizer meatballs; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/3 cup Progresso® dry bread crumbs, (any flavor)

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup chili sauce

1/2 cup cold water

1 jar (12 ounces) tomato pasta sauce, (any variety)

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, milk, egg, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into thirty 1-inch balls. Place in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.

Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until no longer pink in center and juice is clear. (To serve immediately, continue as directed in step 5--except decrease simmer time to 15 minutes.)

Place meatballs on ungreased cookie sheet. Freeze uncovered about 20 minutes or until firm. Place partially frozen meatballs in heavy plastic bag or freezer container. Seal, label and freeze no longer than 3 months.

About 25 minutes before serving, mix chili sauce, water, pasta sauce and mustard in 2-quart saucepan. Add meatballs. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until meatballs are hot.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

This comes from PureWow, and begins, “Listen, if you can brave the cafeteria line at Ikea for a taste of those famous meatballs, then you can absolutely make this recipe in your own kitchen. Our version sticks pretty closely to the classic in terms of flavors--but it's how we cook the meatballs that makes all the difference. Serve them as an appetizer (an excuse to bust out those cocktail toothpicks) or over mashed potatoes for a warming dinner.” Makes 6 entree servings; start to finish: 1 hour

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound ground beef

1 egg

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup plain bread crumbs

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups beef broth

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and grease it lightly with nonstick spray.

Make the meatballs: In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, mix the cooled onion mixture with the beef, egg, salt, pepper, allspice and nutmeg to combine. Add the bread crumbs and mix to combine.

Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and then transfer the meatballs to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes.

Make the sauce: In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

Gradually whisk in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.

When the meatballs are fully cooked, transfer them to the sauce and toss to coat. Serve warm (preferably over mashed potatoes), garnished with parsley.

MEAT LOAF

This comes from Ina Garten fro, The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 1 hr 45 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 25 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon good olive oil

3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)

2 extra-large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

STUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND BEEF AND RICE

This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “These traditional stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef and rice. It's classic comfort food, and it is one of our favorite recipes. This is a tried-and-true old-fashioned favorite. Stuffed bell peppers make a delicious meal with a tossed salad, or served with mashed or baked potatoes.

“Bake these stuffed peppers for a satisfying everyday family meal.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 85 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Yield: 6 Servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors

1 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil

2 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)

1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice

Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional

Preparation

Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Sauté the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.

Heat the oven to 350° F.

Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers.

Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160° F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165° F for ground turkey or chicken.

Tips and Variations

Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.

Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.

Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.

The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.

HAWAIIAN BURGERS

Servings: 4

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/25.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

4 slices fresh pineapple, or canned, unsweetened, water packed variety

1 clove garlic, minced

2 scallions, minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

4 slices- 1 ounce each french bread

Directions

Mix the beef, garlic, scallions, ginger, and soy sauce together and form in 4 patties of equal size about 3/4" thick.

Grill or broil 4" from souce of heat, for 7 minutes for medium-rare turning once. Grill longer for well done burgers.

While burgers are grilling, brush 4 slices of fresh or canned water-packed unsweetened pineapple with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Grill until pineapple is heated through and seared with grill marks, about 6 minutes (2 minutes for canned pineapple).

Serve each patty open-face on a 1 oz toasted slice of French bread, topped with grilled slice, and garnished with 1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 282; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 401 mg; Carbohydrates: 23 g

CHIPOTLE CRANBERRY MEATBALLS

This comes from Publix, and can be viewed online at http://www.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-recipes/chipotle-cranberry-meatballs.

Servings: 24

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb fresh ready-to-cook gourmet meatballs (any flavor)

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 (8-oz) package Deli cranberry-orange relish*

2 tablespoons chipotle pepper sauce

1/2 cup presliced green onions

Directions

Prepare meatballs following package instructions for skillet (using the oil). Meanwhile, combine relish, pepper sauce, and onions.

Drain any extra fat from meatballs, if needed. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cranberry mixture; cook 1–2 minutes, stirring often, or until thoroughly heated. Serve.

*This is a seasonal item; you can also use canned whole-berry cranberry sauce.

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday, time for the weekend to start. For anyone who's dealt with the blizzard the past couple of days, stay safe and warm.

Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Crock Pot Polish Cabbage Rolls and Coconut Cloud Cake. Enjoy!

COCONUT CLOUD CAKE

I’m really not sure where this came from. The only hint is that it was in a folder titled “Recipes from Facebook, etc.”

Ingredients

For the Cake

1 cup sifted cake flour

1 1/2 cups superfine sugar

14 large egg whites (1 3/4 cups), room temperature

1 tablespoon warm water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Seven-Minute Frosting

3 large egg whites

1 1/4 cups sugar

5 tablespoons cold water

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

3 to 4 cups flaked coconut

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. With a fine sieve, sift together flour and 3/4 cups sugar four times.

In the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed, beat together egg whites and water until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium-high and sprinkle in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff but not dry.

Transfer to a large bowl. In six additions, sift dry ingredients over meringue, folding in quickly but gently.

Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan with removable bottom. Smooth top with an offset spatula. Run a knife through batter to release air bubbles. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.

Invert pan on its legs or over the neck of a glass bottle, and let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Make the frosting: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water, combine egg whites, sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Cook over medium heat, whisking frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.

Attach the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat the mixture on high speed until glossy and voluminous, about 7 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.

Carefully run a long offset spatula or knife around the inner and outer perimeter of the cake pan to release cake.

Place on a plate, bottom side up. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice off 1 1/2 inches from the top of the cake, being sure not to break the layer. Set aside. Cut out a 1-inch-wide, 1-inch-deep channel halfway between the center and edge of cake. Spread icing into channel and over entire layer. Sprinkle with coconut.

Gently place reserved layer on top and ice with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with coconut and serve immediately.

CROCK POT POLISH CABBAGE ROLLS

This comes from a long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. Serves 6 to 8.

Ingredients

1 green cabbage

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1/4 c. uncooked rice

1 egg, beaten

1 onion, minced

1 carrot, minced

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 c. cider vinegar

1/2 c. brown sugar

8 oz. can tomato sauce

Directions

Mix ground beef, rice, egg, onion, carrot, salt & pepper. Mix together vinegar, brown sugar & tomato sauce. Drop cabbage in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove 10 large leaves. Chop remaining cabbage. Place in bottom of crock pot. Place 2 to 4 tablespoons of meat mixture in center of each leaf. Roll up & use toothpick to hold. Place stem side down in crock pot. Pour on tomato mixture. Cover & cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

MAKE-AHEAD ITALIAN MEATBALLS

This comes from FamilyTime.com, and begins, “Keep these easy-to-make meatballs on hand for last-minute dinner creations. Tossed with pasta or baked into a casserole, the possibilities are endless!” Serves: makes 30 appetizer meatballs; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/3 cup Progresso® dry bread crumbs, (any flavor)

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup chili sauce

1/2 cup cold water

1 jar (12 ounces) tomato pasta sauce, (any variety)

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Mix ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, milk, egg, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into thirty 1-inch balls. Place in ungreased rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches.

Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until no longer pink in center and juice is clear. (To serve immediately, continue as directed in step 5--except decrease simmer time to 15 minutes.)

Place meatballs on ungreased cookie sheet. Freeze uncovered about 20 minutes or until firm. Place partially frozen meatballs in heavy plastic bag or freezer container. Seal, label and freeze no longer than 3 months.

About 25 minutes before serving, mix chili sauce, water, pasta sauce and mustard in 2-quart saucepan. Add meatballs. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until meatballs are hot.

INA GARTEN’S SKILLET-ROASTED LEMON CHICKEN

This was sent in a TODAY Show’s email. It begins with this from Ina Garten, “I can't tell you how many times I've made this! I have the butcher butterfly the chicken so all I do is grind the thyme, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper, mix it with olive oil, and brush it on the chicken. When the lemon slices are roasted and caramelized, you can eat them with the chicken.

“Notes: Remove the ends of the lemon, cut in half through the stem ends, and slice thinly crosswise. Sometimes I sprinkle the chicken with minced fresh rosemary before allowing it to rest.

“Make-ahead tip: Assemble the chicken in the pan and refrigerate for a few hours before roasting.”

To view this online, click here.

Note: The recipe calls for 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio. I don’t keep alcohol around the house. Whenever I want to try a new recipe that has any kind of alcohol as an ingredient, I either use an alcohol-free version or, if it’s not available or I decide not to go that way, I substitute water. Ina, if you’re reading this, sorry! I still love your recipes!

Ingredients

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup good olive oil

1 lemon, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick (see note)

1 yellow onion, halved and sliced 1⁄4-inch thick

2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 (4-pound) chicken, backbone removed and butterflied

1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio

1 lemon, juiced

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450ºF.

Place the thyme, fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and process until ground. Pour the olive oil into a small glass measuring cup, stir in the herb mixture, and set aside.

Distribute the lemon slices in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and distribute the onion and garlic on top. Place the chicken, skin side down, on top of the onion and brush with about half the oil and herb mixture. Turn the chicken skin side up, pat it dry with paper towels (very important!), and brush it all over with the rest of the oil and herb mixture.

Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. Pour the wine into the pan (not on the chicken!) and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 to 160 degrees.

Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle it with the lemon juice, cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut the chicken into quarters or eighths, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices, cooked lemon, and onion.

CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from Julia Moskins in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Here is Julia Moskin's fantasy of what this dish should be: nothing more than tender elbows of pasta suspended in pure molten cheddar, with a chewy, golden-brown crust of cheese on top.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 40 minutes.

This was featured in “THE WINTER COOK; Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)

2 cups milk (not skim)

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Pinch cayenne

Pinch freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.

In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.

Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

BAKED APPLES

This came from an old Weight Watcher’s email, and had a points value of 3 points each. I have no idea what the new points value each serving would have now, nor do I have the exact email to find the recipe. Very yummy, though.

4 apples, small

1 C applesauce, unsweetened

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1/4 C water

2 C vanilla nonfat yogurt

1/4 ground cinnamon

4 tsp pecans or walnuts, toasted & chopped

Core apples, leaving bottom intact so they can be filled. Place upright in small glace microwaveable baking dish. Stir applesauce, cinnamon & brown sugar. Spoon mixture into apples. Pour water into bottom of baking dish. Cover dish & microwave at medium for 12-15 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from microwave & allow to cool. Spoon yogurt over each apple, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon & toasted pecans or walnuts.