MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - May 17, 2010) - (Family Features) A sensational summer menu can be simple, yet satisfying; exotic, yet familiar. Instead of making salad a sleepy side item this summer, mix things up and add some sizzle to the table with a sumptuous entrée salad straight from the grill.
Grilling adds intense flavor to summer's freshest salad ingredients. Try choosing a selection of colorful fruits, flavorful meats, crisp vegetables, delicious seasonings and luscious marinades that pop. Two delectable choices that can make your grilled salads sing are beef and fresh mango. Beef is a traditional summer grilling favorite. In fact, according to a recent survey, conducted by Pelegrin Gray on behalf of the Beef Checkoff Program, 55 percent of Americans prefer to grill beef, such as a steak like filet, ribeye or T-bone, versus other meat. Also, mango is the world's most popular fruit, and a year-round source of the naturally sweet, refreshing taste of the tropics.
For recipes and instructions on how to select and cut a mango, visit mango.org. Visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for beef grilling guidelines and additional recipes.
Simple Steak Grilling Tips
--Use a medium heat setting on a gas or charcoal grill. For charcoal grills, carefully hold the palm of your hand at cooking height above the ash-covered coals. Count the number of seconds you can hold your hand in that position; approximately 4 seconds is medium heat.
--Always use tongs to turn steaks. Using a fork will pierce the beef, allowing flavorful juices to escape.
--For best results, cook steaks to medium rare (145°F) or medium (160°F) doneness. The most accurate way to determine temperature is with an instant-read thermometer.
Make the Most of Mangos
--Mangos contain more than 20 different vitamins and minerals, are an excellent source of vitamins C and A and a good source of dietary fiber.
--Color is not the best indicator of ripeness. Simply squeeze the mango gently to determine ripeness level. A ripe mango should give slightly, but not be too soft.
--To ripen mangos, store at room temperature. Once ripe, store mangos in the refrigerator for up to five days.
| Beef Fajita Salad with Mango-Serrano Vinaigrette | ||
| Makes 4 servings | ||
| 3 | medium mangos, peeled, pitted and cheeks sliced off | |
| Olive oil | ||
| 2 | medium poblano peppers | |
| 1/2 | teaspoon ground black | |
| pepper | ||
| 1 | pound beef top sirloin steak, 1 inch thick | |
| 1 | large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices | |
| 1 | cup radishes, thinly sliced | |
| 2 | tablespoons chopped cilantro | |
| Vinaigrette: | ||
| 3 | tablespoons lime juice | |
| 3 | tablespoons water | |
| 1 to 2 | serrano peppers | |
| 3 | tablespoons olive oil | |
Brush mangos with oil. Place mango cheeks and poblanos on grill over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill poblanos, uncovered, 9 to 10 minutes (gas grill times remain the same) or until skins are blackened, turning occasionally. Grill mangos 8 to 14 minutes (gas grill times remain the same) or until very tender, turning occasionally. Seal peppers in food-safe bag and let stand for 15 minutes. Cool and cut mangos into 3/4-inch cubes and reserve.
Press black pepper onto beef steak. Brush onion with oil. Place steak on grid; arrange onion around steak. Grill, uncovered, 17 to 21 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 13 to 16 minutes) or until steak is medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness and onion is tender, turning occasionally.
For vinaigrette, measure 1/2 cup cubed mango and combine with lime juice, water and serranos in food processor. Cover; process until smooth. With motor running, slowly add oil, processing until well blended. Season with salt, as desired.
Discard skins, stems and seeds from poblanos; cut into 3/4-inch pieces. Carve steak into slices. Halve onion slices. Place beef, remaining mango, onion, poblanos and radishes on platter. Season with salt. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Courtesy of The Beef Checkoff and National Mango Board
| Asian Beef and Wild Rice Salad | ||
| Makes 4 servings | ||
| 2 | beef top loin (strip) steaks, 3/4 inch thick | |
| 2/3 | cup light Asian-style dressing, divided | |
| 1 1/4 | cups long-grain and wild rice blend | |
| 2 1/2 | cups water | |
| 1 | medium red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch pieces | |
| 1 1/4 | cups hothouse cucumber, cut into half-moon slices | |
| 1 1/4 | cups frozen shelled edamame, thawed | |
| 1/4 | cup sliced green onions, divided | |
| 2 | tablespoons chopped cilantro | |
Place beef steaks and 1/3 cup dressing in food-safe plastic bag; coat evenly. Close bag and refrigerate 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Cook rice in water according to package directions, omitting butter and salt, if desired. Cool in large bowl.
Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 15 to 18 minutes (over medium heat on gas grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.
Add pepper, cucumber, edamame, 2 tablespoons green onion, cilantro and remaining dressing to rice; toss to combine. Season with salt.
Carve steaks into slices. Place salad on plate. Arrange steak over salad; top with remaining green onion.
Courtesy of The Beef Checkoff
| Honey Grilled Fruit with Lime-Mint Vinaigrette | ||
| Makes 8 servings | ||
| Lime-Mint Vinaigrette: | ||
| 2 | tablespoons fresh lime juice | |
| 1 | tablespoon olive oil | |
| 2 | teaspoons honey | |
| 1 | teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint | |
| Honey Grilled Fruit: | ||
| 1/4 | cup honey | |
| 1 | tablespoon fresh lime juice | |
| 1/2 | teaspoon cinnamon | |
| 3 | large firm but ripe mangos, peeled, pitted and cut into large spears | |
| 1/2 | fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into spears | |
| 1 | large peach, pitted and cut into 8 wedges | |
| 2 | plums, pitted and quartered | |
| Mascarpone cheese | ||
Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Whisk together honey, lime juice and cinnamon.
Grill all fruit over medium heat for a few minutes on each side or until grill marks appear, basting with honey mixture several times. Remove from grill and place in a large bowl; let cool and chop pineapple into large chunks.
Place grilled fruit back into bowl, add vinaigrette and toss lightly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, stirring several times. Transfer to salad bowls or plates and top each with a dollop of mascarpone cheese.
Courtesy of National Mango Board
