Alabama Cattlemen's Association

Handheld Meals for Families On the Go

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

It is that time of the year when we aren’t quite ready for summer, although in Alabama it could go either way, and we are tired of the cold. Spring forward into March with some new and exciting beef recipes. Beef is an excellent source of protein and iron and is a versatile staple that can create a wide variety of recipes to satisfy any time of the year. With spring activities beginning, quick and easy recipes are the go-to for a lot of families. If you’re burned out on the same old things, give these tasty ideas a try!

Will Travel for Beef

Travel sports parents everywhere know that one of the keys to not losing your mind (or spending all your money) is to be prepared for the weekend’s upcoming events. A tried-and-true staple for our family is all beef hotdogs that we cook ahead and put in a thermos to keep warm. Add buns and condiments and the whole family can eat without breaking the bank. Make up a container of Roast Beef and Veggie Wraps to add to your cooler and you will have a super satisfying on-the-go meal. For those cooler times, make some meatballs with sauce such as these Four Way Mini-Meatballs and keep warm in an insulated container, grab some sweet rolls and have mini-meatball sliders to fill you up. Don’t forget about all the delicious flavors of beef jerky and beef sticks that you can always keep handy to grab at any time.

Late Night Dinners

Homework, sports, jobs…how do you keep your family fed without running through the drive-thru every night? Plan ahead for the week by cooking up large batches of easy, reheatable foods such as a roast to make roast beef sliders, tacos, or quesadillas. Cook a large batch of ground beef that can be quickly seasoned for spaghetti or sloppy joes. Take advantage of your slow cooker and have these Tangy BBQ Sandwiches ready when you get home.

It is a busy time of the year! Take advantage of beef’s versatility, portability, and great protein to keep your family going. For more great recipes and information on beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What For Dinner.

Happy Spring from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

A Lean New Year

By Elesha Ergle, RDN
Welcome to 2020, the year of hindsight! As we start this fabulous new year, set your sights on some new and creative ideas to add to your lunch boxes and dinner plans. If your previous years’ recipes are starting to lose their luster, let beef help you come up with some exciting and healthy ideas that will keep you going all year long.

Beef’s Nutrition
Beef is a healthy option! Here are the fast facts: a 3-ounce portion of lean beef (about the size of a deck of cards) contains less than 10 grams of fat and about 170 calories with about 25 grams of protein! If you are curious about all the lean cuts that beef has to offer, Beef It’s What’s for Dinner has you covered.<

BOLD Beef
In 2012, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the study Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD), which promoted four different diets, each integrating beef in varying amounts. At the end of the study, the participants that received larger amounts of lean beef were found to have lower cholesterol levels than those of diets with lower amounts of lean beef. The study provides “support for including lean beef in a heart-healthy dietary pattern.”

Fast Foods
While there are many beef recipes that require a lot of your time to prepare, Electric Pressure Cookers (EPC)— such as an Instant Pot— can cut your cooking times more than half. If you love a good roast with potatoes and carrots, try using a lean rump roast in your EPC for your next meal. This recipe uses only 3-4 ingredients and is ready in under 2 hours! (Tip: add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar OR substitute 1-cup water with 1-cup cola to the recipe to further increase tenderness.)

Snacking with Beef
If you have resolved to add more exercise in to your new year, try some beef snacks for the trip to the gym or post-workout routine. Beef It’s What’s for Dinner has a great Beef Trail Mix, and this recipe for beefy sweet and savory trail mix can be the answer to your afternoon snacking routine. If you are looking for a great home workout, try the Farm To Gym workout at the link below.

No matter what your resolutions, resolve to eat more healthy, lean beef! Set your sights on some of these new ideas or visit Beef It’s What’s for Dinner for more information and recipes. Let your hindsight be 2020 as the best year ever!

Happy New Year from all of us at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

All About Holiday Roasting

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

It is hard to believe that Christmas is upon us! Whether you’re busy trying to finish up those last-minute gifts or scrambling to get paperwork done before the end of the year, count on beef to help make your holidays go smoothly. The holidays are the perfect time to try out some new techniques and recipes for the perfect Christmas Roast.

Oven Roasting

Many will shy away at the very thought of an large and pricy cut of meat that you have to cook in the oven. Fear no more! Beef It’s What’s for Dinner is here to the rescue with all the information you could need bring the perfect Christmas roast to the table. If you are looking for a step-by-step tutorial, here is a great video from Fine Cooking on how to reverse sear the perfect prime rib roast.

Slow Cooking

Slow cookers are among the favorite ways to cook a delicious, tender roast. If you enjoy a roast with gravy and vegetables this Ultimate Slow Cooker Pot Roast is a must for your recipe collection. Wow your guests with a Mississippi Roast from your slow cooker and the only worry you will have is washing the dishes.

Electric Pressure Cooking (EPC)

Did you get an EPC for Christmas last year and still haven’t used it? Now is a good time to start! You can produce an easy, delicious holiday roast in less than half the time of oven roasting or slow cooking. If you are worried about where to start, Conquer Your Instant Pot with Chef Alli. When you’ve mastered the basics, give this Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots recipe a try.

The Perfect Cut

When you are shopping for the perfect cut of meat for your roast, be sure to choose a size that will work well for the equipment that you are going to use. Most slow cookers or electric pressure cookers can comfortably hold a 4-5 pound roast. While prime rib or chuck roasts are among the most popular for holiday roasting, there are many other choices as well. Beef It’s What’s For Dinner can help with a listing of different cooking methods, the best choice of cuts, and recipes for all your roasting needs

Be Merry and get roasting this holiday season. Merry Christmas from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.