Cowboy Shredded Beef Food

BEEF AND BEAN BURRITOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 170 to 180 degrees F.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions until softened. Then add the ground beef and cook until the beef is cooked through. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano and salt and stir to combine. Pour 2 cans of the Mexican tomato sauce into the meat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add a little water if the mixture gets too dry.
• Meanwhile, heat the refried beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cheese, and stir it in till its melted. Remove from the heat.
• Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute, and then spread a small amount of beans on each tortilla. Add a small amount of the meat. Fold over the ends of the tortilla, and then roll them up. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Then place them in a large baking dish, cover with foil and keep warm in the oven.
• When ready to serve, drizzle the remaining can of tomato sauce over all of the burritos and sprinkle with more grated Cheddar. Return to the oven for a couple of minutes just to melt the cheese.
• Sprinkle the tops with the cilantro leaves and serve immediately to the fork-bangers in your life. They'll kiss you and hug you. Repeatedly.

BEEF JERKY, COWBOY STYLE BEEF JERKY

Steps:

• In a very large bowl mix up all ingredients except the meat and set aside.
• If using a whole brisket separate the flat half and the point half, put the point half away for another use (like smoking it). Trim all the fat from the flat half, it needs to be very lean (You butcher may do this for you, along with slicing it).
• You can partially freeze this for easier slicing, slice into 1/8 or slightly thicker. If you need to, cut in lengths to fit your dehydrator. Or use a gas oven set on 145°F.
• Add slices to bowl with the marinade, with clean hands make sure all the meat is coated without any "dry spots". Press down the meat to remove air and bring marinade to the top.
• Allow to marinade for about 4 hours, stirring the meat a few times during this period to keep the meat coated. I use my hands, washed of course, then press the meat down again.
• If you need more marinade just scale down the recipe and make a little more.
• Place slices in the dehydrator and dehydrate according to manufacturers directions.
• If using a gas oven (I didn't like the results from an electric oven), place several sheets of foil across the bottom of oven, do not cover the heat vents, heat to 145 F, place slices directly on oven rack and close door.
• Allow to dry for 6 to 8 hours. The jerky needs to be dry but still pliable, NOT crunchy. It will bend but not break.
• Store in an airtight container after it has cooled completely.
• When you are eating this pretend your a cowboy on horseback in a cattle drive, all you have to eat everyday is beans, hard bread and beef jerky, tear off a piece with your teeth, jam in down between your cheek and gum, suck on it for a minute or 2, then slowly start chewing the edge until it is gone. LOL, or just enjoy it however you like.
• I call this jerky "Cowboy Style" because it is very tough and chewy, if you do not like tough jerky then use whatever meat you prefer. Round roast works well, just make sure the cut you use is very lean and trimmed of all fat. Fat can turn rancid.

'LIL' JOHN'S OVEN DEEP PIT

Steps:

• Additional Items needed: Large Roasting or Sheet Pan, Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, Butchers String, Large Brown Paper Shopping Bag.
• Tear 3 sheets of aluminum foil large enough to cover and seal meat.
• Place meat in a mixing bowl and pour the soy sauce over meat and being sure to get the soy sauce all over the meat.
• Place meat on the sheets of foil.
• Mix all the dry seasonings together and rub over the top and sides of the meat.
• Bring the first sheet of foil sides up and fold together being careful not to let the liquid run out, Then fold up the ends of the foil to seal, Make sure there are no leaks.
• Continue folding up the remaining sheets of foil one at a time.
• Carefully place the wrapped meat in the bottom of the Brown Paper Bag and fold the bag snugly and tie up with the two pieces of butchers string.
• I like to refrigerate 1-2 hours before cooking, However you can cook right away.
• When ready to cook preheat oven to 225°F.
• Place the meat package (keep it in the foil and paper bag tied)in the roasting pan or sheet pan and cook for 12 hours.
• Pull the packaged meat out and let rest for at least 10 minutes.
• Remove the paper bag and carefully (It's Hot!) open the foil and lift the meat out with a spatula (the meat should be falling apart)and place into a deep container, Retain all the juices, with 2 forks shred the meat well and pour the remaining juices over the meat and stir.
• Serve with sour cream, salsa or whatever ya like.

COWBOY BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the water, milk, and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top, and let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve.
• Stir the egg and butter into the yeast mixture, then stir in the salt, nutmeg, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix until everything is well blended. Mix in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead for 10 minutes (no cheating!). Place dough into a greased bowl, and let rise until doubled in size.
• Divide the dough into 8 balls, and let rest for another 20 minutes. Roll each ball out to 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each of the pieces of bread fro 30 to 60 seconds on each side, or until light to medium brown spots appear. Keep covered with a damp cloth, or store in a plastic bag until serving.