How Beef Is Graded

Beef Nutrition

Calorie for calorie, lean beef is one of the most flavorful and efficient ways to meet the daily value for 10 essential nutrients like iron, zinc and B vitamins and beef also provides 20 grams of protein per serving.

Pink pork won't kill you according to the USDA

If you're one of those pork connoisseurs who prefers your chop or tenderloin to be pink in the middle,well-good news: As of Tuesday, the USDA says you're in the clear as far as food-borne illness is concerned.The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has lowered its temperature recommendation for cooking pork to 145 degrees -- down from 160. (This means that pork will be the same standard as beef, veal, and lamb.) Note: it is recommended to let the pork rest for three minutes after removing it from the grill or oven.
Of course, there's a bit of irony in the fact that the USDA is lowering pork's minimum temperature ...
 Professional chefs have been cooking pork this way FOR YEARS! Now home chefs and backyard grillers can finally catch up to the restaurant standard without worry. But the question is: Will they?
The USDA's longstanding 160 degrees recommendation is so ingrained in our minds, it may be difficult for some to adjust to the new temp.

People have been taught this for generations and it's going to take a long time to get this removed ... It will be good for the next generation not to be so fearful so they can enjoy pork in a way they may not have been able to in the past.

Pork producers have been lobbying the USDA for years to lower the recommendation, arguing that improved feed and housing methods -- namely, moving hogs into bird- and rodent-proof buildings -- reduced the risk of pathogens and disease. From the consumer point of view, it's surprising to learn they were successful this time around given all the recent horror stories in the media about how factory farms are harmful to animals, the environment, and most important, the public.

 If there is nothing worse to you than a piece of overcooked, dried out pork,this news about the lower temperature recommendation will surely make you  happy. Bring on the pink pork!

Grilling Guide

 

How to grill the perfect steak

1:    Please remove thawed meat from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
2:    READY, SET, SEAR!    Gas or charcoal grill: Sear each side 1 minute over high heat then move to       indirect heat or reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking to the times below.
3:   GIVE IT A REST    Always let steaks rest 5 minutes before slicing.

FILETS MIGNON

Thickness	Rare 120° to 130° F	Medium Rare 130° to 140° F	Medium 140° to 150° F
1.5"	5 minutes EACH SIDE	5.5 minutes EACH SIDE	6 minutes EACH SIDE
1.75"	6 minutes EACH SIDE	6.5 minutes EACH SIDE	7 minutes EACH SIDE
2"	7 minutes EACH SIDE	7.5 minutes EACH SIDE	8.5 minutes EACH SIDE

STRIP STEAKS, RIBEYE STEAKS & T-BONE/ PORTERHOUSE STEAKS 

Thickness	Rare 120° to 130° F	Medium Rare 130° to 140° F	Medium 140° to 150° F
1"	7 minutes EACH SIDE	8 minutes EACH SIDE	11 minutes EACH SIDE
1.5"	9 minutes EACH SIDE	10 minutes EACH SIDE	12 minutes EACH SIDE
1.75"	10 minutes EACH SIDE	12 minutes EACH SIDE	13 minutes EACH SIDE
2"	11 minutes EACH SIDE	13 minutes EACH SIDE	14 minutes EACH SIDE

Article Printed in Florida Today 5/8/11

Wassi's Meat Market has been selling the unusual treat since before Valentine's Day. / Photo courtesy of Jan Wassi

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Written by

MARIA SONNENBERG
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

• Filed Under
• Life

Chocolate- covered bacon at Wassi's

Where: Wassi's Meat Market, 839 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne
How much: Four pieces for $3.99
Info: 321-242-3348 or wassismeta market.com
Also: Wassi's sells chocolate-covered jalapenos.

If you're a health fanatic, you must stop reading this. You have no business with a story that discusses bacon smothered in chocolate.
But wait! You may not realize that even if you're devout about what goes into that temple that is your body, you still can rationalize this treat. After all, reputable scientific research has proven the benefits of chocolate, and as everyone knows, pork is "the other white meat."
Ergo, chocolate-covered bacon must be health food.
Customers at Wassi's Meat Market in Melbourne must certainly think so, because Jan Wassi can't make enough of the stuff.
"The response has been fantastic," Wassi said. "I try to have it in the case no later than Thursday or Friday of each week, because it really sells over the weekend."
An ardent chocolate-covered bacon-chomping bride and groom even requested it for their nuptials.
"I did 300 pieces, cut into thirds and put on party platter trays," Wassi said. "Theirs, I swizzled with pink instead of white chocolate, because of her wedding colors."
Wassi went into full chocolate-covered bacon production just before Valentine's Day, after seeing a story about the eclectic food combo on the Food Network.
Called the "greatest thing since deep-fried Pepsi," chocolate-covered bacon has even been covered by Time magazine.
Bacon supposedly was first dipped in chocolate at the Ohio State Fair, where it was served on a skewer and named Pig on a Stick, but this could just be a fat, greasy urban legend. The Wassi's version is skewer-less.
The store sells four pieces for $3.99 a package.
If your taste buds need even more eccentric nurturing to blossom, Wassi's also tempts with chocolate-covered jalapenos.
"I remove the seeds, fill it with cannoli filling and then dip in chocolate," Wassi said.
Know of a chef or restaurant we should feature? E-mail Maria Sonnenberg at toastofthecoast@cfl.rr.com.

Grass Feed Beef

 I remind the you that grass fed beef is lower in fat, cooks faster, and can dry out if over-cooked.  Only cook a Rib Eye Steak for 3 minutes per side and you will be rewarded with a juicy, flavorful steak. Adjust as you see fit. Enjoy!

Boost Your Metabolism

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/ezGaffurl.php?offer=flajan&pid=1