February's Top 5 Story Ideas

Classic duos like “Salt and Pepper”, “Lettuce and Tomato,” and “Meat and Potatoes” never go out of style. As an ode to our spudly friends and Potato Lover’s Month, here are some of our favorite healthy beef and potato recipes.

Pan-Seared Caesar Beef and Potato Salad is a delicious twist on the timeless salad while Beefy Potato Salad with Green Beans makes quick work of a weeknight meal. You can also try Tender Pepper-Rubbed Strip Steaks with Grilled Vegetable Trio or Tenderloin and Garlic-Roasted Vegetables which will satisfy the heartiest of appetites. For a spicy twist on the traditional pairing, serve a Rustic Beef Caldo or Wild West Beef Hash.

2. Put Some Sizzle in your Valentine’s Day

To help celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday the beef checkoff is celebrating I Heart Beef Month with some “hearty” survey findings, recipes for a romantic evening at home and beef preparation advice and tips. We hope that you will consider the following information for your Valentine’s Day food pages and beyond.

Survey

According to the latest survey fielded by Pelegrin Research Group on behalf of the beef checkoff, Americans are taking their love of beef to the next level – nearly twice as many Americans choose beef versus chicken when asked which satisfies them as much as chocolate does! Additionally, Americans are four times more likely to show their love for beef (and their significant other) by serving steak this Valentine’s Day over other protein options like chicken, pork or seafood. And they’re not just flirting with beef on Valentine’s Day; they are ready to explore this sizzling protein in new and delicious ways year round. Survey findings can be found in the press release and survey fact sheet in our Newsroom.

Romantic Recipes

• To help your readers prepare a Valentine’s Day dinner that will get their taste buds dancing, we suggest our Two Steppin’ Tenderloin – a wonderful meal made just for two that leverages the quick and easy two-step cooking method, popular in steakhouses across the country.
• Spice things up with Ancho Chili-Rubbed Beef Roast. The fiery flavor of ancho chili is a perfect match for a beef roast. Turn up the heat even more by adding the same spices to sweet potatoes or other tasty veggies.
• Try something you’ve never tried before with Hearty Glazed Tri-Tip Roast with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce, featuring a roast that new to most consumers. If the roast isn’t available at your meat case, just ask your butcher.
• Grab your sweetie and curl up on the couch as the aroma of Simple Savory Beef Pot Roast fills your house. With a just a few ingredients and little TLC, this fork-tender dish is the perfect addition to any chilly night.

3. Hot (Beefy) Breakfast Month

There’s nothing like a hearty, hot breakfast on a cold morning to start the day off right. We couldn’t agree more with the designation of February as National Hot Breakfast Month. And we’ve got just the right thing to help you power through your day with a boost of protein: Beefy breakfast recipes!  

• Cold pizza for breakfast? No way! Make it fresh and warm with a Beef Breakfast Pizza Olé. And if the terms “warm” and “breakfast” make you think of gooey pastries, take Beef Sticky Buns for a spin.
• If you’ve got pot roast or ground beef leftovers from last night, try the Beefy Sweet Potato Hash or Beef Breakfast Burrito. When you need something that you can eat on the go, put together a Beef and Spinach Breakfast Sandwich.
• And if you’re feeding a crowd, Make-Ahead Brunch Beef Strata is the perfect way to get your zzz’s and still serve a delicious breakfast.  

4. Breaking up is hard to do…but not with beef’s help

Dating can be so hard. Just when you think you’ve found the one, you’re blindsided with, “It’s not you, it’s me.” But sometimes breaking up isn’t so hard to do—at least not when you know there’s something better in store for you.

We’re here to help you see the bright side of this ending with plenty of ideas to bounce back in no time.  

• Instead of turning to soap operas and spooning out the ice cream, have your girlfriends over for laughs and bowls of Beef Chili Carnivale.
• Don’t sit around waiting for their phone call. Get some exercise and then get inspired to try a new recipe! We like on-trend options like Moroccan-Style Beef Kabobs with Spiced Bulgur or Beef Banh Mi.
• Rather than sulking around the house in your pj’s, hit the town and order up a salad topped with steak in the lounge or bar area of your favorite restaurant—rumored to be part of the “singles scene.” Who knows you might even meet someone new?!
• It’s out with the old and in with the new. Your new outlook will soon have you ready to tackle the world again. Celebrate your “Happy to be Single” status with a dinner party featuring a beautiful (and easy) Pepper Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin roast.

This February, your readers may want to celebrate Heart Health Month by enjoying a mouth-watering steak. Yes, it’s true – lean beef can be a delicious part of a heart-healthy diet. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. With such staggering statistics, it’s more important than ever for Americans to understand how to make informed dietary choices while still enjoying the foods they love – such as lean beef.

Lean Beef is heart-healthy because it:

1. Is A Nutritional Powerhouse:  On average, one 3-ounce serving of lean beef is only 154 calories yet a naturally rich source of 10 essential nutrients – including protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins.

2. Can Be Part of a Heart-Healthy Diet:  Research shows naturally nutrient-rich lean beef can be an important part of a heart healthy diet and when trimmed of visible fat, lean beef can be a part of a low saturated fat diet and does not increase heart disease risk factors[i].

3. Contains Healthy Fat:  Half the fat in beef is monounsaturated, the same heart-healthy kind found in olive oil. One-third of the saturated fat in beef is stearic acid, which has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels and is the same fat recognized in chocolate for its benefits.

4. Packs a Protein Punch: Beef is an excellent source of protein, a powerful nutrient that helps strengthen and sustain bodies and hearts. A substantial body of evidence shows protein can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity – all of which play an important role in a healthful lifestyle and disease prevention.

5. Offers More than 29 Choices: With more than 29 lean cuts of beef, including favorites like Flank steak, Tenderloin, 95 percent lean Ground Beef and T-Bone, it’s easy to find a variety of delicious, heart-healthy beef options for your next meal.