According to the USDA, a 2005 report states that the average American consumes an average of 67 pounds of beef each year. However, beef consumption is declining. A 2004 report from the American Meat Institute says Americans consumed an average of 94.3 pounds of beef per year in 1976. That is a lot of cow, folks.
Ground beef is relatively cheap, versatile and easy to prepare. It is sold based on the ratio of meat to fat. The less fat there is, for example 93 percent meat to 7 percent fat, the more expensive the package. It is also very microwave friendly. It takes about five or six minutes to brown ground beef in the microwave. By adding a few basic ingredients, dinner can be on the table in no time.
Microwave Mexican Casserole
Makes 6 servings
(Adapted from recipe4living.com)
1 pound of ground beef
1 can of Ro-Tel (canned tomatoes with green chilis)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
A few handfuls of tortilla chips, crumbled
4 ounces of shredded Mexican blend cheese
Brown the ground beef in the microwave for five or six minutes until no longer pink. Do this step in segments, stirring and crumbling the beef every two minutes or so. Drain off the fat.
Layer a handful of crumbled tortilla chips on the bottom of a microwave safe casserole dish.
Mix the Ro-Tel, the soup and the meat together and pour half of it over the crumbled chips.
Layer half the cheese over that. Repeat the process starting with another layer of chips, then meat and finally cheese.
Microwave on high for 10 minutes.
Nutrition info per serving
Calories 373
Fat 20 grams
Carbohydrates 15 grams
Protein 29 grams
