by Heath Cleaveland

Created on: May 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 24, 2009

Beef and Vegetables with Lime Sauce

Ingredients:

1lb good quality beef cut into large strips, trimmed of fat

1 package frozen green beans

2 medium tomatoes

2 large carrots

2 medium onions

1 tablespoon olive oil

1oz cilantro

1 lime

salt and pepper to taste

In standard 6x6 aluminum baking dish, coat bottom with olive oil. Cut carrots into circles and layer bottom of dish in one thick layer. Cut up onion into bite-sized pieces and spread over carrots. Cut tomatoes into slices and create a thick layer over the onions.

Take cilantro leaves off stems and place 1/2oz over tomatoes. Place strips of beef over cilantro trying to make sure there is space between the strips. Put the frozen green beans around the beef, filling in the spaces. Make sure pan doesn't overflow. If it does, you'll need to remove some of the vegetables. If you follow these guidelines, the pan should not overflow.

Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper to taste. Not much is necessary because this dish is full of taste. Cut lime into 4 wedges and squeeze each wedge thoroughly over the dish, placing each used wedge in a corner of the dish.

Preheat over to 350 degress and cook for 25-30 minutes, turning beef over after 15 minutes. Garnish with remaining cilantro. Serve with rolls and butter.

You'll be glad you tried this dish because the meat comes out so tender and the vegetables so crisp, all with a delicious thin sauce that is a combination of the lime, tomato juice, beef drippings, and cilantro. It is very easy to make because the vegetables don't need any careful chopping and it's done in 30 minutes. Cleanup is a cinch since the pan doesn't even get messy and you can clean it or use a disposable one and throw it away.

You can amend this dish with vegetables of your choice. You can replace green beans with broccoli, you can eliminate the onions if you don't like them, or add corn instead of carrots. The important thing about this dish is that it is filled with healthy vegetables that are cooked just the right amont to retain their healthful qualities. Your trimmed beef and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil are all the fats and oils you'll find here and you'll find it refreshing to actually be satisfied without eating anything heavy. If you share it with one person, you'll only be eating 1/2lb of beef which really is a good amount.

One note: as far as beef selection, beef tips are good or beef rib meat. Both of these are already cut into strips and have good fat to meat ratios. You can buy a thick steak and cut that into strips as well. You can try the same preparation with chicken or pork as well. Both are delicious. Trying your own variations can be rewarding to your taste buds!

Beef and vegetables with lime sauce is a quick succulent dish you and yours are sure to enjoy. Serves two as described.

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