Tag: Ground Beef

Appetizers, Dinners

Recipe—Loaded Korean Beef Fries

Diva di Cucina

Recipe—Loaded Korean Beef Fries

If your mouth isn’t watering just looking at this pic, then you must be dead. And if you are doing everything you can to keep from drooling on your keyboard or phone, then please, give this recipe a try. You will have no regrets. Absolutely calorie worthy.

This is actually a copycat version of the Loaded Korean BBQ Beef Fries from my favorite local food truck, Turnt Up Tacos and Tortas. The first time I had them, I was HOOOOOOKED!

I start off with a base of thin crispy fries and cover them in finely shredded jack cheese and then pile on a mound of my sweet and spicy Korean Beef and then top that with a cabbage and carrot-based coleslaw made with a creamy sesame ginger sauce and then don’t forget about that spicy sriracha drizzled over the top to give it a kick. The flavors are so freaking good, I tell ya! Mmmmm… mmmmm… mmmmmmmmm!

I have actually started serving this as a meal in my house with each person getting their own plate of loaded fries (yes, loaded fries as a meal, it even has most of the food groups) but you could absolutely make one big pile of loaded fries and share them with friends as an appetizer or shared plate.

Note: The sesame oil and ginger paste go in both the Korean beef as well as the creamy sesame ginger sauce so pay close attention when preparing.

INGREDIENTS
bag of frozen french fries
1 lb ground beef
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c soy sauce
1 tbsp & 1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger paste, divided
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
salt and pepper
3 c green cabbage, shredded
1/2 c carrots, shredded
1/2 c mayonnaise
1 tsp white sugar
1/4 c milk
2 c jack cheese, shredded
Sriracha sauce
2 green onions, chopped
sesame seeds

STEPS

  • Bake or fry the French fries according to the package directions.
  • While the fries are baking, cook the ground beef over medium high heat breaking it apart as it cooks.
  • Once the beef is cooked through, drain off most of the fat.
  • Add in the brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the ginger paste, red peppers, salt, and pepper.
  • Simmer over medium heat for a 4–5 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • While the beef is cooking, put the cabbage and carrots in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, white sugar, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, the other 1/2 teaspoon of ginger paste, and the milk to make the creamy sesame ginger sauce.
  • Toss about 3/4 of the creamy sesame ginger sauce with the cabbage and carrots and set aside the rest to drizzle over the top.
  • When the fries are done transfer them to the plates.
  • Top each pile of fries with the jack cheese, cooked Korean beef, and the coleslaw.
  • Drizzle the remaining creamy sesame ginger sauce and sriracha sauce over the top.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and finish off with green onions.
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Dinners

Recipe—Quick and Easy Korean Beef

Diva di Cucina

I recently got my first ever taste of Korean beef when it came served over a heaping pile of fries with sweet and creamy coleslaw. Sounds amazing, right?!?! It was, I promise.

I absolutely loved the sweet flavors of brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame, and just a little bit of heat simmered through the meat. I instantly went to Pinterest looking for some more Korean beef recipes and found this one. It. Was. Ah-MAZING! It checked all the boxes. Yummy? Check. Quick? (Uh yeah! It took 15 minutes.) Check. Budget friendly? Check. It’s a recipe every busy parent dreams about!

I have made it a few times now and it has never disappointed.

Note: If you are looking to add some veggies, it pairs great with some steamed broccoli.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
salt and pepper
2 green onions, chopped
cooked rice

STEPS

  • Cook the ground beef over medium high heat breaking it apart as it cooks.
  • Once the beef is cooked through, drain off most of the fat.
  • Add in the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, red peppers, salt, and pepper.
  • Simmer over medium heat for a 4–5 minutes stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over a bed of rice and top with chopped green onions.

 

Recipe adapted from Six Sisters’ Stuff. 

Appetizers, Dinners

Recipe—Big Ol’ BBQ Meatballs

Diva di Cucina

Looking for a family friendly recipe that both you and the kids will enjoy? Then search no more! Don’t have kids, no worries. Everyone loves these regardless of age! My 4 year old  loves helping to crush all the saltine crackers. I just put them in a zip loc bag and he goes to town with his toy hammer. (Cooking is a family affair in our house.) These big ol’ bbq meatballs are huge on flavor and so easy to put together. The brown sugar in the sauce helps to glaze the balls giving them a nice even coating of the sweet and tangy sauce. Yummy! These are the perfect comfort food as the weather cools off. I served these as a main dish but I could totally see making these smaller and serving them up as a party appetizer. Hope you enjoy these sticky saucy balls as much as I do!

Note: The sauce for these balls ends up being super sticky so I HIGHLY recommend lining your cooking sheets with parchment paper to help with cleanup. Otherwise you are going to have a super sticky glaze all over your baking sheets, which will not be very easy to clean up. If you do not have parchment paper then I recommend spraying your cookie sheets with a nice coating of cooking spray.

INGREDIENTS
2 lb ground beef
small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 sleeves saltine crackers, crushed
3 eggs
salt
pepper
3 tbsp honey mustard
3/4 c ketchup, divided
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 c bbq sauce
3/4 c brown sugar

STEPS

  • Preheat your oven to 400º.
  • In a large bowl combine the ground beef, onions, crushed crackers, eggs, salt, pepper, honey mustard, 1/2 cup of the ketchup, and the Worcestershire sauce.
  • Using your hands combine all the ingredients until well blended.
  • Grab a handful of the meat mixture and roll into 2″ balls.
  • Place the balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (see above note) and repeat until you are out of the meat mixture.
  • Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
  • While the meatballs are baking mix together the remaining 1/4 cup of ketchup, bbq sauce, and the brown sugar.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven after 20 minutes and top each ball with a spoonful of the sauce.
  • Place the meatballs back in the oven for another 10 minutes to allow the sauce to melt and coat the balls.
  • Remove from oven and serve.
Dinners

Recipe—Busy Mom’s Beef Wellington

Diva di Cucina

Traditional beef wellington has got to be one of the most glamorous meals ever prepared. It is so rich and attractive but certainly not something you want to be making Monday–Friday. It is a wonderful dish but it is a lot of work! Certainly not in the regular rotation for this busy momma! I saw this recipe the other day for a beef wellington made from ground beef and had to give it a try. It was absolutely delicious! It was relatively easy to throw together and the flavors were very close to that of traditional wellington, just with some added veggies, which are always welcome in our house. This will most certainly be a go to recipe for me from here on out.

Note: Try to dice your veggies so that they are all about the same size. This will help them to cook evenly. This will make two wellington “logs”. Each log will feed 2–3 people. If you don’t think you will eat both, place one prepared and uncooked “log” on a wax paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 2–3 hours. Transfer to an airtight bag or seal o’ meal pouch and freeze for a future dinner. (See Steps below for cooking a frozen one.)

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 potato, cubed
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 portobello mushroom or 5 baby portobello mushrooms, chopped
2 tsp thyme
1 lb ground beef
salt and pepper
1 package puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
flour for dusting and rolling
1 egg

STEPS

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion, carrot, potato, garlic, mushrooms, and thyme to the skillet and sauté until your vegetables are fork tender and onions are translucent, about 8–10 minutes.
  • Transfer your cooked veggies to a bowl and place in the freezer for 10–15 minutes to cool.
  • While your veggies cool preheat the oven to 350º.
  • Remove the veggies from the freezer and add in the ground beef, salt, and pepper.
  • Mix everything together until well combined. (I recommend just getting in there and using your hands.)
  • Set your meat mixture to the side.
  • Dust a large cutting board with flour and unfold your pastry. Dust the side of the dough facing up with additional flour and roll out to 1/4″ thickness.
  • Divide your meat mixture into two portions and shape one of those portions into a log in the center of the dough.
  • Wrap the dough around the meat “log” like you would a burrito, making sure to tuck in both ends.
  • Place seam side down on a baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl whisk the egg until broken up.
  • Brush the egg wash over the entire outside of the prepared wellington.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until it is a nice golden brown.
  • Transfer the baked wellington to a cutting board and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Jaime Oliver.

Dinners, Sandwiches

Recipe—Patty Melt

Diva di Cucina

Patty Melt

Whenever I am getting ready to go on my bi-annual cleanse I allow myself one binge day and of course that includes my “last meal.” (It’s not really a last meal per say, but my last “bad” meal for 11 days.) This round I knew I needed something completely indulgent. I decided on one of my favorite types of burgers, a classic patty melt. A juicy ground beef patty smothered in cheddar and Swiss cheeses, some caramelized onions, and of course some 1000 island dressing. Heaven between two toasted slices of buttered sourdough toast. Go big or go home right? Well if you are looking for one of the best burger recipes ever give this a try. It is totally basic and completely wonderful!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter, divided
1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices Swiss cheese
8 slices sourdough bread
1000 island dressing

STEPS

  • Mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
  • Form the meet into four thin patties.
  • Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the sliced onions and cook stirring frequently until they are a nice golden brown color, about 15 minutes.
  • While the onions are cooking heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the patties.
  • Cook the patties for 5 minutes and then flip over.
  • Add a slice of Swiss and a slice of cheddar to each patty.
  • Continue cooking the burgers for another 5 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Toast the slices of sourdough bread and spread one side of each slice with butter.
  • Spread the opposite side of each slice with a generous amount of 1000 island and keep them dressing side up.
  • Place a heap of the caramelized onions on 4 slices of the bread.
  • Add the cooked patty to the piles of onions and place the remaining slices of bread on top, dressing side down.
  • Binge!
Dinners, Sandwiches

Recipe—Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Diva di Cucina

One of my favorite sandwiches has got to be the Philly cheese steak. While this recipe isn’t for a traditional version of the classic sandwich it is a quick and easy recipe the whole family will love! The provolone cheese sauce totally makes this recipe so don’t skip it. All of the flavors are really mild so it is great for the kiddos. I think next time I may try adding in some sautéed mushrooms just to get one more veggie in there. This is the perfect meal for a night of watching football so I think this will be making my Super Bowl party menu this season. Don’t forget the fries or a big green salad to go with.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp steak sauce (I like A1)
1 c beef stock
salt and pepper
4 hoagie rolls
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 c milk
1 c provolone cheese, shredded

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • In a large skillet brown the ground beef and drain off any excess grease.
  • Add the bell peppers and onions and cook until tender, about 3–5 minutes.
  • Add in the steak sauce, broth, salt, and pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  • Cut the rolls in half and place in the oven to toast.
  • In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  • Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer stirring frequently until it begins to thicken, about 2–3 minutes.
  • Stir in cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
  • Place a scoop of the meat mixture into the toasted rolls and top with the cheese sauce.