Confident Cooking With The Right Beef Cuts {Cajun Burger Bites}

Embarrassing stories in the kitchen…I can think of quite a few.  I’ve burned more pizzas in the oven than I would like to admit.  I scorched a ham to black ashes once and filled the house with smoke – in the middle of winter.  I’ve set off the smoke alarm too many times to count.  Oh, and this was a fun one – I decided to chop up my 50 onions from the garden all at once to freeze and my own family wasn’t able to even enter the house without goggles to prevent burning of their eyes.  Yes, I’m a dietitian, a food and nutrition expert.  But who says I’m perfect?  Mistakes = great memories.

What about beef?  In my last beef post, I gave you all the info on labels at the beef counter.  But now it’s time to make a choice.  Which cut goes to which cooking method?  It’s like a giant matching game.  But this tool just released by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association can help.  Print it off (just click on the picture below to get to the original for printing) and boost your confidence in the kitchen.

Another fabulous resource:

Just click on the picture above to give it a try.  Bookmark it in your smart phone to use it while you are actually out shopping in the supermarket.  I tell you, it can’t get any easier to feel more confident in the kitchen with beef.  It’s called the Interactive Butcher Counter and it can help you explore the cuts, guide you to the right cut or find a cut for you.  It’s magic I tell you!

And just for fun, this recipe really only requires you to purchase ground beef (not technically a cut of beef), but I wanted to share because it is amazing and super for the Big Game.

Cajun Burger Bites

Adapted from Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine, Health 2014 Issue.
Makes 16.

• 1 pound 93%- lean ground beef
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 16 waffle-cut sweet potato fries (for example, Alexia brand)
• ½ cup lite sour cream party dip
• ½ cup prepared fresh salsa

1. In a large bowl, lightly mix meat, green onions, Cajun seasoning, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper.  Shape mixture into 16 patties.
2. In a large, non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add half of the patties and cook until browned and cooked to 160 degrees, about 5 minutes per side.  Remove patties to a clean platter, cover and keep warm.  Repeat with remaining patties.
3. Meanwhile, cook sweet potato fries according to package directions.  To serve, spread party dip onto sweet potato fries; top with burger bites and salsa.