Easy Tomato Sauce with Salami

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced thinly
4 oz of salami, thinly sliced
2 cans of chopped tomatoes (2x 14oz)
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
2 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Your favorite pasta

Method:
In a large skillet, heat the oil and cook the onion and salami until the onion is soft and translucent. Stir in the undrained cans of chopped tomatoes, basil and sugar. Simmer the mixture uncovered for about 5 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.

Season with salt and pepper.

Beef Pasta with Red Peppers

It’s that time of year, my produce stand is open again! Peppers and zuchini are back in the diet. Peppers were getting really expensive at the grocery store so I’m happy to see them a decent price when we buy local.

Ingredients:
1 lb penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp ground fennel
1 can tomatoes (14oz)
2 red peppers, halved and sliced
1/2 cup water
1 small beef stock cube
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 medium zucchini, sliced finely
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Marinated Beef Open Faced Pitas

I have to say that pitas are my families new addiction. So finding this recipe that we could create a meal out of was awesome.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup reduced sodium beef broth
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 pound beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
2/3 cup reduced fat cucumber ranch dressing
5 (6 inch) pita bread
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 red onion, sliced thin

Directions:

1. Place the beef broth in a large sealable plastic bag. Add the olive oil and garlic. Seal and shake lightly to combine.

Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

I love the different taste and texture the cabbage adds to this recipe. This soup is one that we love have extra for lunches during the week. Easy too reheat and for hubby to take to work with him so I don’t have to worry about what they are cooking at the station. lol

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 cups onion, chopped
4 quarts hot water
4 cups carrots, chunked
4 cups potatoes, chunked
4 cups cabbage, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
8 tsp. low sodium beef bouillon
1 tsp. pepper
4 bay leaves
6 cups low sodium tomato juice

Easy Meatballs and Rice

By: Carrie Lauth

Here is a super easy, quick one dish meatball recipe. The rice and meatballs can be prepared early in the day (when baby is happy LOL!) and then the casserole assembled later.

Easy One Dish Meatball Rice Dinner Recipe

Preheat oven to 350. Feeds 4-6 depending on their ages and appetites.

1 lb. ground beef (you can also use 1/2 ground pork, 1/2 beef)
1/2 tsp. garlic
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
dash pepper
nice squirt (about 2 Tbsp) ketchup
1 egg
Anything else you have on hand: parmesan cheese is good, bread crumbs, leftover oatmeal or rice, a bit of shredded mozzarella, grated carrots or potatoes, a dash of Worcestershire or tamari/soy sauce, etc. Meatballs are very forgiving!

Fill Those Peppers

Lil Mexico Filled Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Fiber One® cereal
2 cups tomato puree
4 medium bell peppers
1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup red kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Brown meat in large skillet.  Add onions to skillet and cook until beef is cooked completely through.  Drain mixture well.  Cut ½ inch off the top of the peppers and discard.  Be sure to remove seeds from inside of peppers and rinse.  Place cereal in an airtight bag and crush to slightly fine consistency.

Quick Stroganoff

Hamburger Stroganoff

Serves: 2

For those nights when you get home at the last minute. Add a salad and your meal is complete!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb. lean ground sirloin
1 can fat free cream of mushroom soup
1 tablespoon light sour cream
1/2 cup mushrooms (optional)
1 cup uncooked wheat egg noodles

DIRECTIONS
1. Cook pasta as directed on package.
2. While pasta is cooking, brown beef.
3. Once browned and drained, stir in the can of cream of mushroom soup, light sour cream and mushrooms if you would like.
4. Turn onto low and simmer until pasta is cooked.
5. Pour pasta onto a plate, and top with the meat mixture.

Salsa Steak

This will bring out all kinds of flavor in your beef.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup salsa
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lime
1 flank steak (about 1.5 lbs.)

DIRECTIONS
1. Put all ingredients except the steak, into a zip top plastic bag. Shake around to mix ingredients.

2. Add the flank steak to the bag. Seal the bag while pressing out as much air as possible. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

3. When ready to cook, remove the steak from the bag, discarding marinade.