Exclusive organic recipes from Kirstie’s Kitchen!

If you didn’t already know, a superfood contains nutritional properties that can confer extra health benefits. We recently revealed 31 weight-loss superfoods that promote both health and weight loss through the nutritional powers of fiber and protein.

Featured Superfood: Organic Beef

Protein stimulates metabolism, helps you feel full longer, and helps decrease the desire to overeat. Learn more about the benefits of organic meat and why grass-fed beef is better grain-fed beef. To give beef some room to shine, here are 3 recipes for you to try!

Note: All 3 recipes are included in the Organic Liaison Recipe collection, accessible to Organic Liaison members. Learn more about how to begin your Organic Liaison weight loss journey today.

1. Beef Barley Soup

A savory soup of vegetables and ground beef to give you balanced texture and flavor.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 50 Minutes

Servings: 6. Each serving: 1 cup.

Ingredients:

1 tsp organic safflower oil
1 cup chopped organic onions
8 ounces extra lean organic ground beef
1 cup organic lentils
1/2 cup organic pearled barley
3 cups frozen organic mixed vegetables
15 ounce can diced organic tomatoes
6 cups water
6 tsp organic beef base
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano

Nutritional Information: 303 calories per serving
Fat: 6.5
SatFat: 2.5
Trans Fat: 0.5
Cholesterol: 31
Carbs: 43
Sugars: 8
Sodium: 111
Protein: 18
Fiber: 9
Vitamin A: 4297
Vitamin C: 10
Iron: 3.8
Calcium: 73.5

Directions:

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and saute the onions and beef until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain off the excess fat. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 45 minutes. Serve hot.

2. Deluxe Burger with Oven Fries

Combining extra lean ground beef with ground turkey and beans gives you a lean burger that is moist and full of flavor.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4. Each serving: 1.5 cups .

Ingredients:

2 baking organic potatoes
3 tablespoons organic shredded parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon pinch black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp organic garlic powder
1/2 cup canned organic kidney beans, drained
1 tablespoon organic tomato paste
1/8 teaspoon pinch black pepper
3 ounces extra lean ground organic beef
9 ounces ground organic turkey breast

Nutritional Information: 540 calories per serving
Fat: 8
SatFat: 3
Trans Fat: 0.3
Cholesterol: 75
Carbs: 77
Sugars: 1
Sodium: 490
Protein: 40
Fiber: 6
Vitamin A: 100
Vitamin C: 48
Iron: 7.2
Calcium: 150.5

Directions:

Oven Fries:

Preheat oven to 450º. Rinse potatoes and slice into thin wedges. Lightly spray cookie tray with vegetable oil. Line potato wedges up on tray so they are close together and spray the tops with oil. Bake on one side for 15 minutes then turn over to other side. Continue baking for 10 minutes. Sprinkle top side with parmesan and black pepper. Serve hot.
Burgers:

Place water, Worcestershire, garlic powder, kidney beans, tomato paste and black pepper in food processor and puree. Add pureed mixture to meats in a mixing bowl and mix well. Form 4 patties – about half cup each. Bake, broil or grill burgers until done and no longer pink in center (internal temp of 160 degrees F). Serve on toasted bun with your favorite healthy condiments: ketchup, lettuce, tomato and onion.

3. Tomato Beef Macaroni

Zesty tomato sauce, bits of beef and lots of veggies crown your macaroni noodles for a one-dish winner!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Servings: 4. Each serving: 1.5 cups.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat macaroni, dry
1/2 organic onion, chopped
1 cup filtered water
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 organic green pepper, diced
1 cup sliced fresh organic mushrooms
1 organic zucchini, chopped
16 oz. can crushed organic tomatoes
4 tablespoons organic tomato paste
8 ounces organic beef eye of round sandwich steak, cubed
2 tablespoons grated organic parmesan cheese

Nutritional Information: 390 calories per serving
Fat: 4.5
SatFat: 1.5
Trans Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 50
Carbs: 58
Sugars: 12
Sodium: 360
Protein: 30
Fiber: 6
Vitamin A: 1250
Vitamin C: 66
Iron: 4.5
Calcium: 100

Directions:

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain in colander.

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium high. Lightly spray with vegetable oil. Add diced onion and saute until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Add water, spices and rest of veggies including canned crushed tomatoes.

Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until veggies are almost tender. Add tomato paste and steak and cook until meat is done but still tender- about 2-3 minutes.
Add cooked macaroni noodles to sauce and top with 1/2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese over each portion.

Happy, healthy eating! If you like these recipes and would like more sneak peaks into the Organic Liaison Recipe Collection, sign up for a free account to receive our updates!

[Image: from jeffreyw's Flickr Photostream/Creative Commons]

[Image: from leafbug's Flickr Photostream/Creative Commons]

[Image: from missmeng's Flickr Photostream/Creative Commons]