I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Beef Checkoff. I received products to facilitate this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.
When I think about the week’s meals, I have to say that at least two of 7 we prepare contain beef in them. It’s not always the star of our dish but in some way it’s highlighted and necessary to our meal’s ultimate flavor. Our family’s favorite dishes have got to be meatloaf, rigatoni casserole, and bbq’ed tri-tip. For the first two dishes we typically use lean ground beef, and the tri-tip is usually quality sirloin. My 15-year old is the pickiest eater in our house, there are many days that she craves beef and requests a meal containing it and we oblige because it’s actually really good for you!
Beef contains ten essential nutrients like protein, iron and zinc. While zinc helps our bodies maintain a robust immune system, and phosphorus and calcium help build strong bones and teeth, beef is a protein that proves to be beneficial to our bodies as it is delicious. Beef gives you power, keeps you fuller longer, gives you the power to stay active longer and manage your weight. All while giving your body the nutrition that it needs.
Between my husband and I, we have our own arsenal of recipes but are always open to inspiration. We discovered BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, a go-to resource for any parent. The “Beef it’s what’s for Dinner” brand is funded by the Beef Checkoff, a national marketing and research program funded by America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill . On the website, you can find specific recipes by entering the cuts of meat and cooking type or or meal type and occasion, or all four. I love that the website works great on my phone as a helpful app while I’m at the store deciding what to cook! Also on the site you can learn more about cuts of beef, get fantastic cooking tips and learn more about how good beef is for your body.
I love that it gives me ideas on trying new things or inspiration to take an idea and make it our own with the added bonus of being quick and easy. Three kids back in school, after-school activities and a commuter husband means I NEED quick and easy meals in my life.
With fall approaching quickly, I wanted a new go-to soup dish that would be ready and warm on a cool evening. Slow-cookers are my favorite kitchen tool for that quick and easy dish so I used the recipe filter on the BeefitswhatforDinner.com site and found a Beef Minestrone dish. With some slight tweaking, I made the dish more to my family’s liking by using our favorite veggies and added some flavored broth. Check out this quick video…
Here’s my recipe for a hearty fall dish.
SLOW COOKER BEEF MINESTRONE SOUP
1.5-2lbs Stew Meat cut in 3/4 in. pieces
32 oz of Beef Broth (we used garlic and roasted onion infused)
1 cup of water
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 14oz. can of diced tomatoes (salt free)
1 can of cannelini or kidney beans
3 carrots sliced
4 ribs of celery chopped
1 large zucchini chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 cup macaroni or small pasta of your choice
Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper to taste
Trim any excess fat from the stew meat and cut into 3/4 in. pieces, chop and slice veggies. Add meat, broth, water, olive oil, your favorite veggies, and beans into the crock pot and set on low for 8 hours, high for 5 hours. Add pasta and set on high for 20 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Season to taste and top with Parmesan cheese and serve with sourdough bread.
*Note: Don’t put much more pasta than shown above or it will absorb all the liquid!
What’s your favorite beef dish to prepare at home?
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love anything cooked in the slow cooker, especially a yummy soup! What a great recipe!
Beeb Ashcroft says
Oh, that looks so good Jen! I love Minestrone but I’ve only had the bean version, not with beef – I bet that’s delish.
Patty says
I love beef. I have a recipe called Tomato Beef that I just love. It’s from my favorite Chinese cookbook
Daisy says
This looks delish! I need to make this for my family for dinner this week.
Rosey says
I cook the family beef several times a week, it’s one of their faves. In face we made beef tonight (enchiladas). I’ve never thought to put beef in the minestrone. I like it w/o but I bet a million dollars hubby would eat it if I put beef in it!! (light bulb on). 😉