Spice Up Boring Beef

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

30 Apr 2009 10:26 AM

Ground beef can be boring, but it's affordable, which is why I often save a space for it in my shopping cart. Most cuts of beef are a bit blah on their own. However, if you look at a specific cut of meat as a blank canvas, and use spices and other ingredients as the paint that covers it, then you can serve edible masterpieces at every meal.

Here are a few easy recipes to get you started:

MEXICAN PIZZA

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

3/4 cup chunky salsa

2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers

1 package thick or thin pre-baked pizza crust (12 inches)

3/4 cup nacho cheese dip

1/3 cup pickled jalapeno pepper slices for garnish

Directions:

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is not pink. Pour off drippings.

Season beef with salt. Stir in salsa and chopped peppers.

Place pizza crust on baking sheet; spread with dip, leaving 1-inch border. Top with beef mixture and pepper slices.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edge of crust is golden brown.

Serves 4.

SPICY BEEF WRAPS

Ingredients:

1 boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast or bottom round rump roast (3 to 3 1/2 pounds)

1 medium onion, cut into quarters

3 cloves garlic, peeled

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 jars (16 ounces each) chunky salsa

8 flour tortillas (10-inch diameter), warmed

Fresh cilantro

TOMATO CORN RELISH

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen corn, defrosted

1 cup chopped fresh tomato

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup salsa

Directions:

Place ingredients in a bowl and stir well.

Directions for Beef Wraps:

Cut beef pot roast into 4 even pieces.

Place onion and garlic into slow cooker, top with beef. Add water, salt and pepper.

Cover and cook on high 5 to 5 1/2 hours or on low 9 to 9 1/2 hours, or until beef is fork tender.

Remove beef, cool slightly. Strain cooking liquid, skim fat.

Shred beef.

Place beef into 2-quart microwave-safe dish and add 1/2 cup cooking liquid.

Add remaining salsa to beef, mix well.

Cover and microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring once.

Top each tortilla with 3/4 cup beef mixture, leaving 1 1/2 inch border around edge, then add about 1/4 cup Tomato Corn Relish. Fold right and left sides of tortilla over filling, fold bottom edge over and roll up.

Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Related Articles:

Five-Alarm Chili and Super Simple Sloppy Joes

Quick and Easy Weeknight Recipes

Apple and Cranberry Meatloaf

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger