Food Network Beef

FILET OF BEEF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Place the beef on a baking sheet and pat the outside dry with a paper towel. Spread the butter on with your hands. Sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for exactly 22 minutes for rare and 25 minutes for medium-rare.
• Remove the beef from the oven, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and allow it to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Remove the strings and slice the filet thickly.

THE BEST BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees F. Tie the parsley, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves together with kitchen twine.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef in a single layer spaced about an inch apart, turning a few times, until the pieces are browned on at least three sides, 8 to 10 minutes per batch. As the beef finishes browning, transfer to a large plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and continue to cook until they are brightly colored and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, and cook until it evaporates, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the vegetables with the flour, stir to evenly coat them and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth, potatoes, tomatoes and the reserved beef with any accumulated juices. Season with 3 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the herb bundle and bring the stew to a simmer.
• Cover the pot and then transfer to the oven. Bake until the beef is tender but still holds its shape, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Let the stew cool for 30 minutes before serving. Discard the herb bundle and serve topped with chopped parsley.

BEEF TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and onions. Cook until starting to soften, then add the ground beef. Cook the meat until it's totally browned, then drain the fat. Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper and stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup hot water and stir. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
• For the fixins: Meanwhile, wrap the flour tortillas in foil and warm in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Right before serving, crisp the taco shells in the oven according to package instructions.
• Serve with the grated cheese, diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

FOOD NETWORK BEEF STIR FRY

Steps:

• Make a marinade out of 1 egg yolk, 1 Tbs. cornstarch, and 1 Tbs. rice wine by whisking together. Slice the steak against the grain in thin strips, season with salt and pepper and coat well in the marinade. Put in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Make the sauce out of 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 Tbs. cornstarch, 2 Tbs. soy sauce, 2 Tbs. rice wine or sherry, 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 teaspoons sambal olek, 2 Tbs. soy sauce and 1 Tbs. sugar.
• Heat 1/2 Tbs. oil in a wok or deep skillet over Med-Hi heat. Drain any excess marinade from the steak. Put in the wok and cook until lightly browned, 1 minute or so.
• Remove the steak from the wok and set aside.
• Add enough water to the wok to equal about 1 Tbs. Add the ginger and garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
• Add the onion mushrooms and broccoli, stir, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add the red pepper, stir and cook 2 minutes uncovered.
• Stir in the sauce, 1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves and steak and cook for 2-3 minutes more uncovered until the sauce has thickened and the veggies are tender crisp.
• Serve over rice.