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It is National Beef Month and you all know about beef and the many varieties that we can use in our meal planning...unless you are a vegetarian. However, you can eliminate meats or foul in many recipes and add something to your liking if you are a vegetarian.

I am going to have a bit of fun with beef trivia questions and answers. Let's see how you do with these questions.

Q: Top quality leather basketballs are made from cowhides. How many basketballs can be made from 1 cowhide?

A: 12 basketballs

Q: What body-building nutrients does beef supply?

A: Beef is an excellent source of iron, vitamin B12, zinc and protein.

Q: A popular steak sold in restaurants is listed as a "filet mignon". What is the standard retail name for this steak?

A: "Filet Mignon" is just a fancy name for a beef tenderloin steak.

If you eat gelatin, you may want to skip the next question and answer. Don't tell the kids the answer or they'll never eat gelatin again!

Q: What is the relationship between a marshmallow and a beef animal?

A: A marshmallow is a beef by-product! Marshmallows are made from gelatin, which comes from the processing of bones and hoves of the beef animal.

So much trivia for the day. It's time for recipes and none of them have gelatin in them!

I like this recipe as you can make it the day or night before you serve it.

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BARBECUED BEEF ON BUNS

1-3 pound boneless beef chuck roast

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 c. chopped celery

water

1-1/2 c. ketchup

1/4 c. each, packed brown sugar and white vinegar

2 T. dry mustard

1 t. salt

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. chili powder

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. garlic powder

few drops hot pepper sauce (Tabasco sauce)

Hamburger buns

Put beef, onions and celery in a Dutch oven; add water to almost cover beef. Bring to a boil, skimming off foam. Lower heat; cover and simmer 2-1/2 - 3 hours or until beef is tender. Remove beef; strain and cool broth until you're able to remove the firm fat from the top. Trim and shred beef; return to Dutch oven. In a bowl, combine 2 c. broth (save the rest), and rest of ingredients, except buns of course, mixing well.

Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If mixture becomes too thick, add more broth. Serve on buns. Hotdog buns may be used instead of hamburger buns if you wish as they are much easier for kids to eat, and me too.

Makes about 15-20 servings... depending on how hungry everyone is. If there are leftovers, it will keep in the fridge for a few days or package it and put it in the freezer.

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BEEF AND PEPPER KABOBS

3 T. lemon juice

2 T. olive, canola or vegetable oil

1 large onion, finely diced

1-1/2 t. thyme leaves

1/4 t. each, salt and pepper

2 lbs., sirloin steak cut in 1-inch cubes

1 each, green, yellow, orange and red peppers

In a glass bowl or heavy-duty plastic bag, combine first 6 ingredients. Add meat; stir or shake to coat. Cover or seal and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. Drain marinate from meat. Cut peppers into squares and thread onto metal skewers alternately with meat. Grill over hot coals or a gas grill on medium-high heat, turning often for 10-12 minutes or until meat is done to your liking.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Note: Other veggies may be used such as cooked small red potatoes or larger potatoes cut in 1-1/2-inch pieces, small onion cut in wedges, etc.

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HATTIES HAMBURGERS

1 lb. ground beef

2 T. finely chopped green pepper

1/4 c. finely chopped onion

1 T. horse-radish

3 T. ketchup

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. dry mustard or 1 t. prepared mustard

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Form into 4 patties. Grill or broil.

Makes 4 servings.

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TFD: Memorial Day is celebrated this coming Monday to remember the fallen men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives that we may live in a free country. Please remember them in prayer, and fly our American flag in recognition of their sacrifice for us.

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