What's My Beef

Those of you been following along on the Kooks in the Kitchen Facebook page (find it here: http://facebook.com/kitchenkooksedm)  might know that I post a lot of chicken and fish dishes and that I don't do a lot of beef just because I really don't eat much beef; maybe a couple of times a month and I favor ground beef over steak and the like.

There's nothing wrong with beef, I just don't really like it much, beef is a fattier meat and it's harder to digest, especially for those with pre-existing digestive issues, so that may be a part of the reason that I don't much like it. I think our bodies naturally and inherently know what works for us; as they say "gut instincts" or "trust your gut," truly your body tells you what you need and what you don't like.

Having said this, once in a while I do get cravings for beef, for red meat I guess you could say, and at those times I just have to have a burger. Obviously my body is telling me I need more iron likely, among other nutrients that are found in beef. Beef is also a very high source of protein and Vitamin B12. So I listen to my body and eat beef!

Trim all visible fat from the boneless blade steak or sirloin steak portion.

I made up this recipe on one of those beef craving times, and you know how much I love Mediterranean flavours, and that just doesn't stop with the baked goods. So to make the beef more palatable to myself, I figured Mediterranean-izing it would be the way to go. I did that by adding various herbs as well as lemons and my good old hummus.

I didn't have any chickpeas that day to make my own hummus, but I did have these President's Choice single serve portions of hummus. I had one left and I jazzed it up by sprinkling with some sumac.

I like this Garlic and Herb flavour of Mrs. Dash sodium-free seasoning. It's a great all purpose seasoning for meat dishes, vegetable sautés and it's fantastic on roasted potato wedges.

Mediterranean Beef Pitas

1 medium onion, thinly sliced 

1 red pepper, sliced

1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 

2 cups fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped 

2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil (divided)

Lemon (zested, then juice from half of it)

450g beef, boneless blade or sirloin steak (or your favourite cut) thinly sliced

1 tsp Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb sodium-free seasoning 

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or more to taste

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Garnishes/toppings:

Hummus, at least 2 tbsp/person 

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped

1 tomato, chopped into 1-inch pieces

2-3 leaves romaine lettuce, coarsely sliced/torn

1/3 long English cucumber, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

pitas, mini naans (see photo) or tortillas

I had these President's Choice mini naans in the freezer and I used these...hmmm two PC products, maybe I should get them to sponsor this post! 

1. In a skillet, with one teaspoon of the oil, stir fry the steak and garlic until meat is no longer pink. Remove to bowl and keep warm.

2. To the same pan, add the remaining oil and stir fry the onions and red pepper. Once the onions have become slightly translucent and the pepper is still tender crisp, add back in the beef and any juices. Stir in all the seasonings and spices, including the lemon zest and juice.

3. Stir fry it all for a couple of minutes to combine flavours. Add in the spinach and continue cooking until spinach is heated through and just wilted.

4. Serve on warmed naans or pitas spread with hummus and your choice of toppings!

© Kooks in the Kitchen. 2015.