Beef: second only to pork in depth of flavor it seems infinitely maleable adjusting to cuisines as varied as Thai and Norwegian. These recipes offer some options for cooking it for two.
The only variation from my mother's meatloaf that has become common in my recipe is making a free-form loaf and wrapping it in bacon. Everything's better with bacon.
Beef stew is an American classic. A cheap cut of meat is cut into chunks, dredged in flour then browned. Some liquid is added, a few vegetables are tossed in and supper in a pot. This version is pretty standard (albeit with a few key tricks).
Serves 2 with leftovers.Bolognese is the original meat sauce from which our American beef pasta sauces are derived. But comparing the real thing with what most of us are familiar with is like comparing a Mercedes to a Saturn.
Serves 2 with leftovers.I've been making this recipe for Mushroom Minute Steaks for at least 35 years. It only takes about 25 minutes from prep to eating - which is just enough time to zap some frozen peas or corn or to toss a salad. Serves 2.
This recipe for rib eye steak with pan sauce features a red wine reduction and blue cheese. It's extraordinarily good and deadl easy to make.
Serves 2.I stopped into a little Italian joint in a strip center expecting almost nothing of the meal except enough calories to keep me going until lunch the next day. Instead I had an extraordinarily good veal dish and discovered what became my favorite Italian restaurant in the world.
Serves 2.These deliciously spiced caribbean jerk burgers bring a taste of the islands to your backyard.
Makes 4 burgers.Although packed with beefy flavor, this recipe for pepper steak only uses a little meat and so is quite economical.
Serves 2.Steak and Guinness Pie is one of the absolute standards of English Pub fare. And no wonder. It's heartily meat-flavored but uses relatively little actual meat so it's not expensive.
Serves 2.This pot roast isn't particularly spicy (although you can certaily kick it up) but it does have incredibly deep, rich flavor.
Serves 2.Braciole is a recipe for herbs and cheese, rolled up in meat. This recipe uses beef and is astoundingingly good on a winter's night.
Serves 2.Beef Burgundy is another of those wonderfully hearty, slow-cooked meals suitable for a Dutch oven or slow cooker. And like most such dishes, it's even better on the second day, so this recipe plans for leftovers.
Serves 2 with leftovers.This chili recipe uses diced meat instead of ground beef, which gives it more character. It also includes homemade chile powder.
Serves 2 with leftovers.This French beef stew recipe is unusual because the meat is marinated in a vegetable mixture of onions, carrots, and celery, which brings an unusual lightness to the flavors.
Serves 2.This recipe for what I call a middle-eastern meat loaf can be made with lamb or beef. It's the inclusion of feta, mint, and parsley in the mix that gives the loaf it's distinct character.
Serves 2 with some leftovers.Carpaccio is an Italian recipe for a raw beef appetizer dressed with a lemony mayonnaise. My Carpaccio recipe uses a balsamic vinaigrette and is a great summer meal.
Serves 2.This is a recipe for mititei, a Romanian sausage that can be made with beef, lamb, pork, or a combination. They're delicious grilled and served with mustard.
Serves 2.These Greek burgers aren't really Greek, but they are infused with the flavors of Greece to create an excellent change-of-pace from the standard grilled ground-round on a soft bun.
Serves 2.This recipe for individual Beef Wellingtons looks like a million dollars and tastes like heaven. It's also surprisingly easy to make, albeit time-consuming, but can easily be completely prepped a day in advance.
Serves 2.This recipe works beautifully with either beef or lamb. It also works with leftover roast beef or roast lamb (which is the way my mother made it). If using leftovers, you can skip browning the meat.
Serves 4.Corned beef and cabbage is one of my absolute favorite one-pot meals. About 15 years ago a friend suggested making it in the oven in a cocotte and I discovered the more gentle and indrect heat of the oven produced a more tender and richer result.
Serves 2.Beef Carbonade is a great weekend meal, easy to make, but requiring long slow cooking. It can also be made in a slow cooker if you don't have a Dutch oven.
Serves 2 with leftovers.This recipe for veal scaloppini with a feta cheese sauce is wonderfully quick and easy. It only takes minutes to make and yet is quite a treat. Serves 2.
