National Beef Month and Recipes in the L. A. Times

"Recipe idea: Beef up your family dinner"
Los Angeles Times ()

"To celebrate National Beef Month in May, we've compiled nutrient-rich, quick-to-prepare beef entrees and convenient side dishes your whole family will enjoy. Each recipe is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!

"Beef is an excellent source of protein and a good source of iron, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Over 29 different cuts, including flank steak, sirloin and even some ground beef meet the government labeling guidelines for lean. Each three ounce portion is about the size of a deck of cards, or the palm of your hand.

"Enjoy a refreshing family meal this week with Mediterranean Beef and Salad Pitas, Cheese and Fruit Kabobs and Fruit Juice Coolers. Beef it up throughout the week with Lickety-Split Lasagna Soup, Carrot Salad, 15-Minute Beef Fajitas and Power Orange Smoothies. Don't forget to register for free at www.MealsMatter.org to add these and other healthy recipes to your own personalized meal plan and shopping list.

" 'Family Meals Matter' features recipes selected by registered dietitians from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at our free online nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter (www.MealsMatter.org), sponsored by Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™...."

The article is spread over seven pages, but you've got the option to make it one big scrollable page. The recipes look simple, like this one:

"...Cheese and Fruit Kabobs

"3 oz cheese, cubed (any variety)

"1 cup strawberries, quartered

"1 cup grapes

"1 apple, sliced into bite-sized pieces

"1 kiwi, sliced

"1/2 cup nonfat fruit yogurt (any flavor) or nonfat pudding

"Wash fruits; cut and dice them. Dice cheese. Place all ingredients on skewers, according to preference. Arrange on a small plate with yogurt or pudding in center for dipping.

"Cook's notes: Vary this recipe with any fruits that are in season...."

Hats off to the Los Angeles Times for publishing these recipes. Some of which contain beef. And without some anonymous expert's lecture about the perils of red meat.

Don't get me wrong: I acknowledge that a grilled slab of steak, a potato, and a pint of beer isn't, quite, a balanced meal. Actually, if the beer is brewed from grains, hops, yeast, water and sugar - using a traditional method - you'd get a lot more than 'empty calories.' But The Lemming is wandering.

The Los Angeles Times article looks like a good resource: Enjoy National Beef Month!