THEGAYUK

Tag: Beef

  • RECIPE | Beef Stifado

    Beef Stifado

    Serves 3 (or 2 without a carb) | Prep Minimum 3 ½ hours marinading, or overnight | Cook 2 ½ hours |

    If you are looking for a seriously tasty portion of comfort in a bowl, then this beef stifado is definitely for you! Through slow cooking it develops a rich, red wine, almost smokey flavoured sauce. It’s ingredients are essentially very basic, so I like to have garlicky mashed sweet potatoes with a green vegetable next to this hunky beefy dish, to help me get closer to my 7-a-day. This deserves good ingredients, so try going for organic produce if you don’t already. Try and marinade the beef as long as possible, over night if you can.

    BEEF

    Around 85g of beef provides you with the following of your daily requirements; 50% protein, 39% zinc, 37% B12, 24% selenium, 20% phosphorous, 18% niacin, 16% B6, 14% iron, 12% riboflavin. (SOURCE; http://www.beef.org/udocs/Beef%20Bytes%20Health.pdf

    TOMATOES

    are full of beta carotenes which is really beneficial to our skin. Tomatoes contain high vitamin C, and also vitamins A & K. They are helpful when needing to boost your immune system and also have anti cancer properties.

    Ingredients.

    For the marinade:

    125ml red wine

    2 garlic cloves, crushed

    2 cloves

    2 sprigs fresh rosemary

    2 bay leaves, fresh or dried

    1 cinnamon stick, broken in two

    1 tsp oregano

    400g organic beef, diced

    400g can organic chopped tomatoes

    250g organic shallots, peeled

    2 tbsp organic tomato puree

    1 beef stock cube (low-salt)

    Method.

    Preheat oven to 180c / 160c (fan) / Gas Mark 4

    1. In a deep bowl mix together all the marinade ingredients along with the beef, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 3 ½ hours.
    2. Reserving the marinade liquid, drain the beef. At this point I pick out the cinnamon stick pieces, rosemary etc. and keep them with the reserved marinade liquid.
    3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef. Once browned, place in an oven proof casserole dish that has a lid.
    4. Fry your whole peeled shallots in the same pan as you did the beef, until they turn golden on the outside. Remove and place with the beef in the casserole dish.
    5. Increase the heat on the frying pan and add your marinade liquid, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, stock cube, and 100ml of water.
    6. Let the sauce reach boiling point and then take off the heat, transferring to the casserole dish. Mix all together, cover and cook in the oven for 2 ½ hours. I normally take a look and stir every hour whilst it’s cooking.
    7. Serve with a healthy carb and vegetables of your choice.

  • RECIPE: Steak Slice with Artichoke, Feta and Spinach Pasta

    Steak Slice with Artichoke, Feta and Spinach Pasta

    Serves 2 (with leftovers of the pasta)

    Prep 10 mins

    Cook 45 mins

    Healthy Bones / Antioxidant Rich

    This combination works really well together. A beautiful slab of beef sliced and topped upon a sticky onion, spinach and feta penne bake, with the lovely creamy sharpness of artichokes running through it. A weekend winner.

    SPINACH – No wonder this was Popeye’s food of choice. 180g of spinach provides the following DRI; 987% vitamin K (healthy bones and teeth), 104% vitamin A, 84% manganese (another one for bones, and also skin integrity, collagen and blood sugar), 65% folate (skin, liver, eyes, hair), 39% magnesium (another good one for bones, and also heartburn), 35% iron, 34% copper, 32% vitamin B2, 25% vitamin B6, 24% vitamin E, 24% calcium, 23% potassium, 23% vitamin C, amongst others! 

    ARTICHOKES- A long standing digestive aid, first discovered by the Egyptians, used to also combat acid reflux, stomach discomfort, and bloating. Artichokes are also a good source of anti-oxidants; silymarin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. Artichokes are also great for detoxification and cleansing the liver.

    (SOURCE:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/471274-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-artichoke-hearts/ )

    BEEF- Around 85g of beef provides you with the following of your daily requirements; 50% protein, 39% zinc, 37% B12, 24% selenium, 20% phosphorous, 18% niacin, 16% B6, 14% iron, 12% riboflavin. ( SOURCE: http://www.beef.org/udocs/Beef%20Bytes%20Health.pdf )

    Ingredients

    1 red onion, chopped

    1 shallot, chopped

    1 garlic clove, sliced

    1 can artichoke hearts, drained and hearts in half

    100g bag young leaf spinach

    100ml pasta cooking water reserved

    ½ block feta, chopped

    250g penne pasta (I use Dove’s gluten free)

    2 sirloin steaks

    Instructions

    Preheat your oven to 220c / 200c (Fan) / Gas Mark 7

    1. Get a saucepan of boiling water on the go and cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Meanwhile…
    2. In a small frying pan heat a tablespoon of oil and over a high heat fry and char your shallot and red onion for 5-6 minutes.
    3. Add in the sliced garlic and fry for a further minute. Set Aside.
    4. Once your pasta is al dente, drain but remember to reserve 100ml of the cooking water.
    5. Mix together the pasta, artichoke hearts, spinach, onions and garlic, 100ml cooking water along with some of your feta (reserving some to sprinkle on top).
    6. Place into a baking dish, top with remaining feta and drizzle in olive oil.
    7. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes so you have a crispy, golden top.
    8. You want to get the steak on the go in time for when your pasta is ready to be taken out of the oven.
    9. Get your griddle pan really, really hot. I oil my steaks before frying, some people do some don’t.
    10. Cook according to guidelines below, and after the meat resting, cut into slices.
    11. Remove pasta from oven, plate up with the steak slices resting on top.

    HOW LONG TO COOK STEAK

    For between 2 and 2 ½ cm thickness steak:

    Blue Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side and rest for 6 minutes.

    Rare Fry 2 ½  minutes on each side and rest for 5 minutes.

    Medium Rare Fry for 3 or 4 minutes on each side and rest for 4 minutes.

    Medium Fry for 4 minutes on each side and rest for 3 minutes.

    Medium Well Fry for 5 minutes on each side and rest for 2 minutes.

    Well Done Fry for 6 minutes on each side and rest for 1 minute.

  • RECIPE: Healthy Bolognese (and Beansprouts)

    Bolognese (with beansprouts)

    Serves 4

    Freezable

    Prep 10 mins

    Cook 30 mins

    This bolognese is packed full of vegetables so makes good for a healthy version of this popular meal. As I tend to avoid wheat I decided to pair this classic dish with beansprouts. It may sound odd, but it really does work well! Not only do beansprouts replicate an al dente spaghetti, but it’s a great way of incorporating another vegetable into your day. Remember we are supposed to be eating at least 7 a day now!

    This dish is equally delicious served with good ol’ pasta. If there is only two of you eating, then reserve the leftovers and freeze for a later date.

    TOMATOES – The beautiful red colour of tomatoes denotes that they are full of beta carotenes which is really beneficial to our skin. Tomatoes contain high vitamin C, and also vitamins A & K. They are helpful when needing to boost your immune system and also have anti cancer properties. I eat a packet of vine tomatoes each day!

     

    MUSHROOMS – Mushrooms contain high levels of vitamin D, which is a vitamin a lot of us are deficient in without even realising. Polysaccharides and beta glucans within mushrooms are beneficial to the immune system function.

    Ingredients

    1 tbsp carotino oil (or other healthy cooking oil of your choice)

    500g minced beef

    250g closed cup mushrooms

    1 onion, finely chopped

    2 vine tomatoes, chopped

    2 carrots, finely chopped

    2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

    100g frozen petit pois

    100ml red wine

    1 tbsp Italian seasoning

    1 tbsp sundried tomato paste

    1 tsp garlic granules

    1 can double concentrate tomato puree (142g)

    Dash of Worcestershire sauce (optional)

    2 bags beansprouts

     

    Instructions

    1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and warm the garlic to flavour the oil.
    2. Add the chopped vegetables to the pan and cook for up to 5 minutes so that they begin to soften.
    3. Add the beef and cook out until turning brown.
    4. Add the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes.
    5. Pour in the red wine and add the Italian seasoning along with salt & pepper to your liking.
    6. Bring the pan to a boil and then reduce the heat for 15 minutes or until your desire consistency.
    7. Serve with beansprouts that have been flash fried in a wok for a few minutes and dash over Worcestershire sauce, if using.