A Mississippi native...Louisiana hybrid

Category: Beef

Pepper Steak & Rice

Pepper Steak & Rice

Tender strips of steak, colorful bell peppers, and onions come together in a rich, savory sauce in this comforting pepper steak and rice recipe. A touch of rice vinegar adds a little tang, while fluffy rice soaks up the flavor. Serve with spinach on the…

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs

This popular traditional meaty dish calls for the combination of pork and beef, but I think we can mix it up a bit here with pork and veal. Why…you ask? Veal has a fine texture, a smooth taste and is a more tender red meat that comes from young cattle. However; if you’re watching your cholesterol, stick with beef as Veal has a little higher content. 
 
Swedish meatballs were brought to the USA by Scandinavian immigrants; many of whom settled in northern Scandinavian countries. Beef was considered a luxury item, which meant meatballs were highly prized.  At some point, I would love to venture across borders and into the creamy depths of Sweden’s famed meatball, known to locals as Köttbullar.
 
Swedish meatballs are typically small, about 1 inch in diameter. Take your time rolling the meat into balls between the palms of your hand, otherwise they will go out of shape quickly when you fry them. Fry the meatballs in two batches because if you fry too many at once they will steam rather than brown. They can also be baked in the oven. Oftentimes, as a finisher, I like to take a drizzling of lemon enhanced extra virgin olive oil to the dish that elevates the flavors to exceptional. Whip up some creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice or tagliatelle pasta. This recipe is guaranteed to be on the dinner table for many years to come. 

Swedish Meatballs

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian pork sausage
  • 1 pound ground veal
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 ½ tablespoon flat leaf parsley chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ cup onion finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ oregano
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 5 tablespoon butter divided
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • ½ cup of milk
  • 3 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 1½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Lingonberry jam for serving optional
  • half a handful of parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine ground veal, Italian sausage,parsley, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, salt and beaten egg in a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Place the panko in a large bowl and pour the milk over the breadcrumbs and stir to make a thick paste.
  3. Add the meat mixture to the panko mixture and mix well.
  4. Prepare meatballs by rolling them into 24 medium sized meatballs.
  5. Heat canola oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet and add the meatballs turning them on each size until brown and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate, cover and set aside.
  6. Add 4 tablespoons butter and flour to skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream. Add worchestershire sauce and dijon mustard and bring to a simmer until sauce begins to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
  8. Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice or tagliatelle pasta garnish with parsley and serve with lingonberry jam, if desired.

Recipe Notes

*decrease portion size as needed

Seared Lamb Loin Chops

Seared Lamb Loin Chops

You know that saying “eat more chicken?” Well.. in this case.. eat more lamb, the cows will thank you! Lamb loin chops marinaded in garlic, steak seasoning and canola oil will have you drooling for more.  These chops are really the filet mignon of lamb..for real. The loin chop looks like a miniature T-bone steak, containing a portion of the loin and tenderloin. The loin chop is the leanest and most tender cut of lamb, ideal for cooking quickly at high temperatures (in a cast iron skillet or grill) for a caramelized outside and pink inside.

I don’t want to toot my own horn.. well.. maybe just a little. I’m my own worst critic but my family and friends rave about my cooking time and time again. Of course I rarely taste test during the preparation. I don’t know why but my instinct always tell me that it’s going to be a hit. I do think what I make tastes good but I think it’s difficult to really appreciate your own cooking because I am a bit of a perfectionist.

Lamb loin chops smothered with grape tomatoes and red onions was one of those particular recipes that really stood out and got the wow factor, even from me. And I’m not saying this to brag, I owe it all to the Lamb Chop. The flavor and tenderness can be compared to a nice tenderloin steak.

I think lamb tends to get a bad rap for it’s distinct taste and constant comparisons to beef. Here’s the thing though, lamb loin chops prepared medium rare in a cast iron skillet will have a melt in your mouth method to preparing the most tender lamb ever. It’s much more flavorful and tender this way.

Garlic, tomatoes with a great marinade over the Loin chops. Do I really need to say more? The best part is this simple delicious, mouth watering, melt in your mouth recipe is ready I’m 15 minutes from start to finish, except the marinade unless you choose not too. You can’t argue with an easy win.

Seared Lamb Loin Chops

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 8 lamb loin chops approximately 3 pounds
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced or minced
  • 1 tablespoon steak seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium red onion sliced
  • ½ pound baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • grape tomatoes sliced

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl mix the ingredients, add lamb and turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. (I did overnight).
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet to med-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of canola and cook mushrooms and onions until browned.
  3. Add more canola oil and sear the lamb for about 5 to 8 minutes on each side, depending on your desired doneness. Pout leftover marinade and garlic over the lamb.
  4. Add sliced tomatoes, mushrooms and onion, cook for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors.
  5. 5. season, salt & pepper to taste
Chuck Roast with Potatoes, Carrots and Celery

Chuck Roast with Potatoes, Carrots and Celery

Try this easy roast beef recipe which is one of my most popular recipes plus get my tips for how to cook and slice roast beef for juicy, tender roast beef perfection.  Once you learn how to cook roast beef, you’ll be able to replace…