Traditional ingredients like feta, olives and pita bread give this salad a Mediterranean twist. The addition of Ground Beef gives it a boost of power-packed protein.
Ingredients
• 1 pound Ground Beef
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/3 cup crumbled herb-flavored feta cheese
• 1/3 cup prepared regular or reduced fat non-creamy
• Italian dressing or other vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup Kalamata or ripe olives, chopped
• 4 pita breads, toasted
Preparation
1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and bell pepper; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Pour off drippings.
Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
2. Add lettuce, cheese, dressing and olives to beef mixture; toss to combine. Top pitas with equal amounts of beef mixture.
Nutrition information per serving, using 80% lean ground beef:
505 Calories, 24g Total Fat (8 g Saturated Fat; 8 g Monounsaturated Fat;) 81 mg Cholesterol; 843 mg Sodium; 39 g Total Carbohydrate; 3.6 g Dietary Fiber; 31 g Protein; 4.7 mg Iron; 8.3 mg NE Niacin; 0.5 mg Vitamin B6; 2.4 mcg Vitamin B12; 3.2 mg Zinc; 35.1 mcg Selenium. This recipe is an excellent source of Protein, Iron, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Zinc, and Selenium; and a good source of Dietary Fiber.
Did You Know?
The Mediterranean diet has been touted as one of the healthiest diets and has been ranked number one diet by the US News & World Report.
The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. It includes dairy and meat while limiting sodium, saturated fats, highly processed foods, and sugary beverages. This healthy dietary pattern can play a role in reducing risk factors that contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Research conducted by Purdue University found that following a Mediterranean- style eating pattern that includes lean red meats, like lean beef, is just as effective in supporting a healthy heart as a Mediterranean style that limits red meat. This research is part of the growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating lean beef can be part of a healthy eating pattern to support heart health.
Kori Dover, RD
Nevada Beef Council
Reference: O’Connor LE, et al. A Mediterranean-style eating pattern with lean, unprocessed red meat has cardiometabolic benefits for adults who are overweight or obese in a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2018;108:33-40.