Samba Beef Salad 
Posted by: TUDDLES Tue 1 Nov 2005 3:17 pm

 

Ingredients:
2 beef shoulder center steaks (Ranch Steaks), cut 3/4 inch thick (8 ounces each) or 1 boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 3/4 inch thick (1 pound)
Salt
1 package (5 ounces) mixed salad greens (6 cups)
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries or cherries
1/4 cup pepitas, toasted
1/4 cup prepared tomatillo salsa
2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco cheese or crumbled goat cheese
Dressing:
2/3 cup fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 to 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon coarse grind black pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
 

Direction:
Whisk dressing ingredients in small bowl. Place beef steaks and 2/3 cup dressing in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes to 2 hours, turning occasionally. Cover and reserve remaining dressing in refrigerator. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 9 to 11 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness (top sirloin steak, 13 to 16 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness), turning once. Carve steaks into thin slices; season with salt, as desired. Toss greens with cranberries, pepitas and reserved dressing. Divide greens evenly among 4 plates. Arrange steak slices over greens. Spoon salsa over steak slices; sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.
Cook's Tip: Pepita is the Mexican term for a hulled pumpkin seed. Dark-green pepitas have a delicate flavor that is even better when toasted. To toast pepitas, heat in ungreased skillet over medium heat until lightly browned, stirring constantly. Toasted pine nuts may be substituted for pepitas.
The recently released 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage making smart food choices from every food group. Beef main dish salads are a delicious way to add a variety of naturally nutrient-rich foods to your meals at home.
--Nutrient-rich salad ingredients include colorful fruits and vegetables (the deeper the color, the richer in nutrients); whole grains such as whole wheat pasta or brown rice; and non or lowfat dairy products.
--Lean beef choices are perfect for salads. There are 19 cuts that meet government guidelines for lean such as these favorite steaks: top loin, top sirloin, tenderloin, T-Bone and top round. Beef also provides essential nutrients including zinc, iron, protein, niacin and vitamins B-6 and B-12.
--Recipes aren't even necessary. A delicious beef salad can be as easy as tossing fresh cut-up vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, red onion), toasted walnuts or almonds and shredded Parmesan cheese with packaged salad greens. Top with strips of cooked lean beef and drizzle with a favorite vinaigrette or a prepared salad dressing. Serve with a whole grain roll.