Asian Beef and Broccoli

                                               

Hey Guys! Did you miss me!? I've missed adding content and interacting with you all that's for sure! Life gets busy and finding balance can be difficult at times. This is definitely my zen and I  creating recipes with my son and sharing with you all. For those of you who follow me on Salvo-lutions's Facebook Fan Page and Instagram, I put the following question out:  Do you want to see food prep recipes? You said, YES!  So, here we go!

Every two weeks I food prep, mainly to stay on track health wise and so I'm not grabbing garbage. Also, to stay on budget!  I use a budget of $150 for groceries. That's 3 meals a day for 14 days for one single momma and one 14 year old man child who is literally a human garbage disposal. That includes snacks too by the way.  Whoever has teenage boys, I know you're picking up what I"m laying down here! Sales are key when you're doing this.  I always start with the protein first.  Look at your local flyers. Sometimes going to two different stores really pays off! Although I try to keep it to only 2 and that's only if I have to. Produce Junction, Trader Joe's and my local grocery store are the three I stick to.

Once I've picked out my produce, I then start thinking of meals and adding in my produce. Then dairy and pantry items. Although we all have pantry items that become staples on hand at all times. For me? It's always bags of beans, brown rice, lot's of spices, Dijon mustard, olives, olive oil or avocado oil. All these things are good for you. Tons of protein and quick add ins to any meal. Also, canned tuna. You have to be careful with that though. Get Tuna that is packed in water and non GMO. I will do red meat and chicken as organic as I can and I've switched my eggs to organic as well. As for milk, we have switched to Almond milk. Although my son does love his cereal and prefers organic milk. So, I do keep a little of that on hand for him.  Produce I don't do organic for many reasons, but that's a personal choice and a whole new post on it's own. You do what you feel is best for you and your family, and let's be honest, your wallet!

Now due to some of my health issues and concerns I try to stick with all white meat and fish. I do however add in the occasional red meat treat, I try (key word try) to implement lean, organic and or grass fed red meat if possible. My son especially needs this as he's a growing boy.  But hey things happen. You get a craving, you fall off track, sometimes it isn't affordable and hurts the purse strings, I get it. We're only human. I just try to do my best during the week to eat as healthy as I can and on the weekends I "live a little".  I don't concern myself with stepping on a scale or numbers or beating myself up if I want a slice of pizza!  Are you sick of reading yet? Okay, okay let's get to the dish!

(This dish makes four servings)



Asian Style Beef and Broccoli:

1 pound organic grass fed ground beef
2 cloves of garlic
Sesame Oil
Fresh Ginger
Mushrooms
1/4 cup of chopped Cilantro
1 Onion
1 Head Cauliflower
1 Head Broccoli

First step is you want to clean the broccoli and cauliflower. Make sure the Cauliflower is nice and dry. I only used half a head of cauliflower to make "cauliflower rice" to go with our beef and broccoli. You of course can use regular white rice or even brown.  Once the cauliflower is dry, I then chopped it into smaller pieces, don't go crazy the blender or food processor will do all the work. I have a powerful blender so I then put it all in there and let it did the work. You're looking for pea size pieces. If you have a food processor by all means use that. I then sauteed this with half of the onion and one of the cloves of garlic. Now this is all about preference if you like more onion or garlic use more. Add in a little salt and or pepper and your "rice" is done. Set aside.

The broccoli didn't get much loving, I love it steamed on it's own. You want to keep that nice green color and take in all the nutrients it has to offer.

For the Beef:

I cut off maybe half an inch off of the ginger, peeled it and chopped it into fine pieces along with the garlic and onion. I sauteed it all together. I then added in the beef chopping it up like you would for a taco until it was completed cooked. I then put in a handful of chopped mushrooms and cooked until tender. Now for the sesame oil, a little goes a long way here people! Drizzle a little all over the top (maybe a teaspoon worth) give it a good mix and taste. You decide if you need more.

Then I divided the food evenly between four Tupperware containers. You can sprinkle cilantro over top (optional). These can last up to 5 days in the fridge. They reheat great, and they're healthy! My son gave two thumbs up on this meal. I will be back with more sooner rather than later. Have fun and enjoy!!