Category: Beef

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

Note: I was sent a Rubbermaid’s Easy Find Lids 20-Piece Storage Set to review. All opinions are mine alone.

 

We have had a pretty moderate fall so far, but the cold weather isn’t too far off. This time of year, I like to fill my freezer with different meals so I always have comfort food on hand for busy weeknights. One of my favorites, of course, is chili.

 

I was sent Rubbermaid’s Easy Find Lids 20-Piece Storage Set to try out, so it was the perfect time to make my annual batch of chili!

 

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids are a life saver – I typically just keep the containers from take out and they are all just shoved into a cabinet net to my stove, with no organization to them whatsoever. So i spend a good 10 minutes finding the right top to go with whatever container I’ve chosen. Rubbermaid’s storage set takes the annoyance out of trying to find the right top — the Lids snap on to the bottom of their respective containers so you can find them in no time! The containers also nest inside each other so you can have a small stack of all of your containers and lids in one spot.

 

The 20-piece set comes with  3 (0.5 Cup), 3 (1.25 Cup), 1 (2 Cup), 2 (3 Cup), 1 (5 Cup), and 10  respective Easy Find Lids. The plastic is dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe and is also BPA-free.

 

On to the recipe! This time around, I went for a classic – ground beef and beans with some bratwurst meat for additional flavor (I used beef bratwurst, but you can use any type you’d like).

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (omit for dairy free)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound bratwurst, removed from its casing
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1  onion, chopped
  • 1 chipotle from can of chipotles in adobo sauce, finely chopped (seeds removed if preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from can of chipotles in adobo
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped (or whatever color you prefer)
  • 2 (15.5 oz) cans red kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can black beans, drained
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon espresso grounds
  • For garnish: 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped; 4 oz sour cream; 4 oz cheddar or pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Continue reading Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

Beer and Cheddar Soup with Grilled Polska Kielbasa

Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OktoberOnTheFarm #CollectiveBias

I’m celebrating Oktoberfest a bit late on my blog, but the weather has just starting feeling fall-like this week! Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held in Munich, Germany at the end of September/beginning of October that is famously known for its beer drinking and accompanying eats.

 

When I think of Oktoberfest, I immediately imagine beer, pretzels, and yummy wursts (or sausages). One of my favorite sausages (although it’s not German) is Kielbasa, especially when grilled.

 

 

Hillshire Farm® Polska Kielbasa is made with beef, pork, and turkey with a blend of natural spices to really bring the flavor. I wanted to play off of the smoky flavor as well as pay tribute to Oktoberfest with a Beer and Cheddar Soup to pair with the Grilled Polska Kielbasa. I found Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa in my local Walmart.

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 leek, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 12 oz Oktoberfest beer
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon smoked hot sauce (can also use liquid smoke)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 12 oz extra sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 Hillshire Farm® Polska Kielbasa
  • the juice of 1 lemon, optional
  • olive oil for drizzling, optional
  • chives, finely chopped, for garnish

Continue reading Beer and Cheddar Soup with Grilled Polska Kielbasa

Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Chipotle Butter and Bell Pepper Sauté

I haven’t posted a beef recipe in quite a while, so I’m happy that the one I’m sharing is absolutely delicious! It’s really simple to make as well! This recipe is from the latest Cooking Light and works great as a weeknight dinner. I paired it with the suggested side, Cilantro-Cumin Quinoa, which was also really tasty.

 

I found the portion of my steaks to be too big, so the below ingredients is a smaller cut than is shown. The beef tenderloin steaks are topped with a simple bell pepper saute and chipotle butter, so a flavorful dinner is ready in no time!

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup sliced onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 3/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 2 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks or 1 (8-ounce) sirloin steak
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce

Quick Meatball and Pasta Bake

Most Sunday nights in my house are Pasta Night. Typically, we just thaw a batch of homemade tomato sauce from the freezer to mix in with the pasta, but I am all out of my tomato sauce at the moment! Cooking Light to the rescue!

 

 

This recipe from Cooking Light is really quick and easy — it takes about 30 minutes to make. I adapted the recipe a bit, but the general concept remained the same. For the original recipe, visit myrecipes.com.

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces uncooked mini bow tie pasta (or ziti, rigatoni, etc.)
  • 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces 90% lean ground sirloin
  • 8 ounces sausage, removed from its casing
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 (28-ounce) can unsalted crushed tomatoes
  • 2 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)

 

Continue reading Quick Meatball and Pasta Bake

Smoked Sausage with Rigatoni

Whew. I am having a crazy busy month, so unfortunately my cooking is suffering. I can never have too many weeknight meal options (ie. meals that can be on the table in 30 minutes or less) at my disposal, so here’s another quick and easy dinner that comes together quickly- Smoked Sausage with Rigatoni! I tend to usually make chicken or seafood recipes, so I am finally doing a quick beef recipe!

 

This recipe for Smoked Sausage with Rigatoni uses Hillshire Farm’s Beef Smoked Sausage to add some yummy flavor to a quick fire roasted chunky tomato sauce. It’s a great alternative to chicken to snazz up a midweek meal.

The beef sausage cooks up in no time. Using the same pan to cook the sausage and to make the sauce gives the sauce a subtle smoky flavor that’s so tasty!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 oz) box rigatoni, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 package Hillshire Farms Beef Smoked Sausage, cut into slices
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped (~1 cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 2 (14.5 oz) cans Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • grated Parmesan cheese, optional

#spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between our site and Hillshire. This could include Hillshire providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment. Continue reading Smoked Sausage with Rigatoni

Virtual Mad Men Finale Party – Steak in the Pan with Butter, Potatoes au Gratin, and a Perfect Manhattan

This Sunday is the beginning of the end of Mad Men. Sniffle. I have been a huge fan of the show for years and am sad to see it end. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still throw a little party of my own in celebration of the final premiere!

All week, bloggers have been  featuring their own spins on Mad Men-inspired recipes to gear up for the premiere this Sunday, when we will have a Virtual Mad Men Finale Party!

I adapted some recipes from The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook: Inside the Kitchens, Bars, and Restaurants of Mad Men by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin. I wanted to cheers to Mad Men in style, so I made a version of Trudy’s Rib Eye in the Pan, Individual Potatoes au Gratin, and Perfect Manhattans.

If you’re a Mad Men fan, you probably remember Trudy calling Pete at the office early into their marriage asking what he wanted for dinner. His response: “Rib eye, in the pan, with butter.” So Pete, this one’s for you! This version is a pan-seared New York Strip Steak with cognac butter. (I made New York Strip Steaks instead of Rib Eye, because that would have just been way too much meat for me.)

The steaks are paired with an adapted version of Julia Child’s Potatoes au Gratin, served in individual crocks.

And what’s a Mad Men Party without a cocktail?? I decided to make a more modernized version of a classic, called a Perfect Manhattan, which refers to using equal parts sweet and dry vermouth.

If you want to also Party Like a Mad Man, you’re in luck! I also have a copy to give away! Details after the recipes.

 

Adapted from The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook

Ingredients:

Steak in the Pan with Butter:

  • 4 boneless New York Strip Steaks, ~1 inch thick
  • 4 teaspoons canola oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 oz cognac
  • 8 tablespoons butter

Potatoes au Gratin

  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1/2 pound raw potatoes (about 2-3 large potatoes), peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled (I used Valley Thunder from Valley Shepherd in Reading Terminal)

Perfect Manhattan

  • 8 oz rye whiskey (I prefer Dad’s Hat’s version that is finished in Vermouth barrels)
  • 2 oz dry vermouth
  • 2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 8 dashes bitters
  • maraschino cherries for garnish

Continue reading Virtual Mad Men Finale Party – Steak in the Pan with Butter, Potatoes au Gratin, and a Perfect Manhattan

Slow Cooker Beef Ramen

So I’ve been feeling pretty crummy for the past few days. And I’ve been craving soups like crazy. One of my favorite options when I want a comforting meal is ramen, specifically Shio-style from Nom Nom Ramen in center city Philadelphia.

When I saw Betsy Life did a version of Ramen in her slow cooker, I knew I wanted to try as well!

Ramen is typically made with pork belly, but I couldn’t find any in my supermarket so I went with beef. So this Slow Cooker Beef Ramen is definitely not a traditional style ramen.

This recipe is adapted from BetsyLife.com

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs beef chunk roast
  • 32 oz container low sodium beef broth, plus 1/4 cup, divided
  • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce — if not it will be too salty
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic paste
  • The juice of 1 lime
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms (I used 1 cup shiitake caps and 1 cup baby bella)
  • 1 pack Chinese-style noodles (Chuka Soba)
  • Cilantro, sliced green onions, jalapeños, lime wedges, nori (seaweed), etc. for garnish

Continue reading Slow Cooker Beef Ramen

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Last weekend, I made a ridiculous number of recipes.

 

On Sunday, a friend and I got together to make a bunch of recipes that freeze well to stock our freezers for busy week days.

 

On Saturday, I borrowed my mom’s slow cooker for the weekend so that we would have two on hand. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make two slow cooker recipes at the same time on Saturday as well! I made this yummy Cooking Light recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Stew as well as a favorite recipe of mine — Chicken Cacciatore.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless chuck roast, cubed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 medium yellow onions, roughly  chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 (12-ounce) nut brown ale (I used Samuel Smith’s)
  • 1 1/4 cups unsalted beef stock, divided
  • 1 1/2 pounds baby Dutch potatoes, halved
  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

Continue reading Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

I don’t know how this is even possible but I’ve never had Sloppy Joes before making this recipe. It was not in my family’s dinner rotation, my camp never served it, and I never came across it at a friend’s house when sleeping over.

Well, my wait is finally over! Traditional Sloppy Joes are made with beef but I for this Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes recipe, used a mixture of ground beef and Johnsonville Bratwursts removed from their casings.  The recipe is adapted from one I found on MyRecipes.com.

note: I was sent free coupons for Johnsonville products. Opinions are my own.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 (19-oz.) package Johnsonville Brats
  • 1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 10 brioche buns, toasted

Continue reading Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker Oxtail and Short Rib Stew

My slow cooker and I are good friends, although I’m pretty sure the slow cooker is bringing more to the relationship than me. I love coming home to a delicious smelling dinner after work that takes maybe 15 minutes of prep time in the morning on my part.

This recipe for Slow Cooker Oxtail and Short Rib Stew from Cooking Light’s latest issue uses an ingredient I’ve never used before, or honestly even noticed in the supermarket: Oxtail. Oxtail is a gelatin-rich cut, which makes it perfect for hearty stews, especially slow cooked ones. The ribs add a bit more meat to the stew, which also has carrots and potatoes to round out the flavors.

This recipe is originally made in a Dutch oven and cooks for about 2 hours so if you’re not in the mood for a slow cooker version, be sure to check out the original recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 pound bone-in short ribs, trimmed
  • 1 pound oxtail
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup sliced shallots
  • 6 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 3 cups unsalted beef stock
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 pound very small Dutch Potatoes (bite size)
  • 3/4 pound carrots, cut diagonally into 2-inch-thick pieces
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch dissolved in cold water, if needed

Continue reading Slow Cooker Oxtail and Short Rib Stew

Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho)

I had a hankering for pho this week so I figured I would try to make it! This at-home recipe has a bit of a darker broth but boy does it taste good!

I found this recipe on Food Network and was surprised at how simple it really was to make. The hardest part was slicing the beef super thin so that it can finish cooking in the broth. If you are worried that your slices are too thick to cook fully, just add the sliced beef to the broth and simmer for about 1 minute before assembling.

 

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces rice noodles
  • 12 ounces lean beef sirloin, fat trimmed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large onion, sliced (or 2 small onions)
  • 1 4 -inch piece ginger, unpeeled, halved
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 5 star anise pods
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 scallions
  • 1 jalapeno pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 cup fresh bean sprouts

Continue reading Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho)

Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

When I first spotted this recipe in the August issue of Cooking Light, I knew I wanted to make it. I have never used watermelon in a savory recipe before and it sounded like a perfect summer dinner! This recipe comes together in no time (and is really simple to make), making it a great weeknight meal option.

 

 

The rub on the steak is only four ingredients: salt, black pepper, white pepper, and red (cayenne) pepper. If you don’t have white pepper you can just substitute in more black pepper. But each pepper does bring it’s own taste to the rub.

 

Black and white pepper comes from the same pepper plant but white peppercorns have the outer layer removed, leaving the seed inside. White pepper has a more subtle flavor than black pepper. Red pepper, or cayenne pepper, is ground from hot peppers so it has a nice level of heat to it. The three together add a nice spiciness to the steak without being overwhelming.

 

 

I altered this recipe a little bit but the general idea is there. If you’re interested in seeing the original version, check it out here.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and halved lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 8 green onions, roots trimmed
  • 2 cups finely chopped fresh watermelon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
  • 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)

Continue reading Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

Flank Steak with Tomato Bruschetta

One of the best parts of Steak is how simple it is to prepare. You really don’t have to do much to a steak to make a delicious meal. But sometimes you want something a little different. This recipe for Flank Steak with Tomato Bruschetta is still super simple but ups the flavor of the steak with smoked paprika and a creole seasoning. The original recipe uses a pre-made creole seasoning, but I just substituted in some spices I had on hand to make my own version.

This quick Bruschetta is really tasty on bread, but be sure to use any leftover to put on top of the steak as well!

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
  • a pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1 small shallot, chopped
  • 8 (1-ounce) slices whole-wheat French bread baguette
  • 1 garlic clove, halved

Continue reading Flank Steak with Tomato Bruschetta

Haroset Braised Short Ribs

Passover begins tonight so I wanted to share a recipe I found from Martha Stewart for Haroset Braised Short Ribs that is Passover-friendly. The recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated but I just made it all in one day (this is definitely a recipe that involves some time to make– 5-ish hours. It might work well as a slow cooker dish. I will have to try that in the future!)

The short ribs are braised in Manischewitz wine and then served with a deconstructed Haroset, resulting in a really delicious dish!

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless beef short ribs
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 5 small carrots (about 1 pound), 1 roughly chopped, 4 halved lengthwise and reserved
  • 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 4 cups Blackberry Manischewitz wine
  • 3/4 cups red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 bunch fresh thyme
  • 1/4 bunch fresh curly-leaf parsley, plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup walnut halves, for garnish
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into wedges

Continue reading Haroset Braised Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos #CampbellSauces

This post brought to you by Campbell’s Dinner Sauces. Weekend-worthy dinners with only weekday-level effort needed! Learn more at https://www.campbellsauces.com/

This year, my boyfriend and I are hosting a New Year’s Eve party. With a quite a few friends coming from out of town, I need a recipe that is simple to make but can feed a crowd. I also need something that doesn’t dirty up every pot and pan I own right before the party starts, which means I’m whipping out my trusty slow cooker!

Campbell’s has made this process even easier for me with their new Slow Cooker Sauces. I actually mentioned in a previous post how I wanted to try the Sweet Korean BBQ sauce, so here’s my opportunity! I made a test batch this week to see how it tastes.

 

As a member of the DailyBuzz Brand Ambassador Program, I once again get to work with Campbell’s to try out another one of their delicious sounding sauces. The sauces are currently available in supermarkets, typically in the Gravy or Boxed Dinner Kit aisles. (To learn more about the sauces, check out their interactive Facebook app that gives more information about both the Skillet and the Slow Cooker Sauces.)

Because the sauce is already prepared, getting everything into the slow cooker is a cinch. To stretch the beef a little further, I made these into tacos served with red cabbage, sriracha sour cream, and red bell peppers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 bunch green onions (scallions), divided
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3-4 lbs boneless chunk roast
  • 1 package of Campbell’s Sweet Korean BBQ Slow Cooker Sauce
  • 1 (8 oz) container sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon sriracha (depending on your spice tolerance)
  • 3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
  • 1 small head red cabbage, sliced
  • 12 (fajita sized) flour tortillas
  • toasted sesame seeds, to taste

Continue reading Slow Cooker Korean Beef Tacos #CampbellSauces

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