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Great grilling

The classic bistro flavors of mushrooms and wine truly enhance the flavor of this open-faced burger.
Beef is leaner than ever and rich and nutrients

Beef is one of America's favorite foods to grill. It not only serves up great taste for grilling — it's also lean and full of nutrients.

Today's beef is leaner than ever before, with 29 cuts now meeting government guidelines for leanness, and beef provides nine essential nutrients we need each day.

Beef is an excellent source of protein, zinc, vitamin B-12, selenium and phosphorus and a good source of niacin, vitamin B-6, iron and riboflavin.

In The Healthy Beef Cookbook, co-author and nationally acclaimed Chef Richard Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain's Steak and Chop House in Dallas, shares his expertise for preparing delicious and healthy beef, helping people "go lean with protein."

"People love beef, but many don't know how to cook lean cuts," Chamberlain says. "This cookbook offers complete recipes — more than 130 delicious and healthy lean beef solutions that are easy to prepare for anyone."

With these simple recipes, you can fire up the grill and enjoy the beef you love that is good for you too.

Like the recipes you see here? The Healthy Beef Cookbook (Wiley, $21.95), created through a partnership with the nutrition experts at the American Dietetic Association and the beef experts at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, on behalf of The Beef Checkoff, is now available wherever books are sold and on Web sites such as www.amazon.com and www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Recipes and photos as seen in The Healthy Beef Cookbook, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright &Copy; 2006 by American Dietetic Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association. All rights reserved.

1 pound ground beef (95 percent lean)2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepper4 large portobello mushrooms4 slices French bread, cut diagonally Z\x-inch thick2 ounces goat cheese (Z\x cup)4 romaine lettuce leavesChopped fresh parsley (optional)Sauce:1 teaspoon olive oil2 tablespoons minced shallots1 cup Merlot or other dry red wine¼ cup ready-to-serve beef broth2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped1 tablespoon butter2 teaspoons all-purpose flour¼ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon pepperTo prepare sauce, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add shallots; cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until caramelized. Stir in wine, broth and thyme.Cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to ½ cup. Combine butter and flour; whisk into sauce. Stir in salt and pepper. Cover; keep warm.Combine ground beef, parsley, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four ½-inch thick patties. Set aside.Place mushrooms on grid over medium, ash-covered coals; grill, uncovered, 16 to 18 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. About 10 minutes before mushrooms are done, move them to outer edge of grid. Place patties in center of grid; grill 11 to 13 minutes to medium (160 degrees) doneness, until no longer pink in center and juices show no pink color, turning once. Place bread slices on grid; grill until toasted, turning once.Reheat sauce, if necessary. Spread ½ of cheese on toasted bread slices. Top each with lettuce leaf, mushroom and burger; drizzle evenly with sauce. Crumble remaining goat cheese over tops; sprinkle with parsley, as desired.Makes 4 servings<i>Nutrition information per serving: 454 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat, 5g monounsaturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 557mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate, 3.5g fiber, 33g protein, 11.5mg niacin, 0.5mg vitamin B-6, 2.2mcg vitamin B-12, 5.2mg iron, 50.6mcg selenium, 6.7mg zinc</i>

1 pound boneless beef round tip steak, cut 1 inch thick½ small red onion, cut into C\v-inch wedges1 small yellow summer squash, cut lengthwise in half then crosswise into 1-inch slices1 small red or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch piecesMarinade:2 tablespoons water2 tablespoons red wine vinegar2 tablespoons coarse-grain Dijon-style mustard2 cloves garlic, minced2 teaspoons vegetable oil½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepperMushroom wild rice:2 teaspoons vegetable oil2 cups thinly sliced assorted wild mushrooms (oyster, cremini and shiitake)1 6-ounce package long grain and wild rice blendCut beef steak into 1-inch pieces. Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Place beef and marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or as long as overnight, turning occasionally.Soak eight 9-inch bamboo skewers in water 10 minutes; drain. Remove beef from marinade; discard marinade. Alternately thread beef, onion, squash and bell pepper pieces evenly onto skewers. Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.For mushroom wild rice, heat 2 teaspoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add mushrooms; cook and stir until tender. Remove and keep warm. Meanwhile, cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt and butter. When rice is done, stir in mushrooms.Serve kabobs over mushroom wild rice.Makes 4 servings.<i>Nutrition information per serving: 350 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat, 4g monounsaturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate, 1.7g fiber, 31g protein, 4.7mg niacin, 0.5mg vitamin B-6, 2.5mcg vitamin B-12, 4.1mg iron, 26.8mcg selenium, 6.3mg zinc.</i>

Amarinade made with red wine vinegar adds tangy flavor to lean beef and fresh summer vegetables.

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