Happy Monday, friends!
Remember this dinner that I showed in one of my WIAW post a couple of weeks ago?
No? Don’t worry – I won’t hold it against you. I will, however, refresh your memory…
Beef rouladen. I don’t eat red meat all that often, but I do include it in my diet every now and again. Why? Well, because it’s a great source of protein, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins. Compared to chicken, beef has twice the thiamine and riboflavin, three times the iron, five times the zinc, and seven times the B12. Not bad considering:
- Vitamin B-12 is needed for red blood cell formation. It is vital for the nervous and circulatory systems. Long term deficiency of vitamin B-12 can lead to brain and central nervous system damage. A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath that surrounds and protect nerves. B12 deficiency can also lead to dementia, loss of memory, anemia, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and constipation.
- Zinc in the body contributes to the development of bone tissue, stimulates the growth and division of cells, tissue regeneration, reproductive function and brain development. Zinc is an active agent responsible for triggering 100 internal enzymes that are required to metabolize food and nutrients.
- Magnesium is necessary for the proper functioning of the brain, nervous and cardiovascular systems, bone strength, muscles, kidneys, hormone-secreting glands and the liver. It performs about 300 biochemical functions. Magnesium is a cofactor of many enzymes and enzymatic reactions, including energy metabolism, the synthesis of nucleic acids and protein. Magnesium deficiency can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, constipation, heart disease, sleep disorders, irritability, fatigue, hypertension, convulsions in children and an increased risk of cancer.
- Iron is a vital mineral because it is involved in the transportation of oxygen to your cells. It is essential for hemoglobin formation and muscle function. In addition, iron is included in the antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase), which protect cells from the ravages of oxidation. Your thyroid gland and the central nervous system can not properly work without iron. Iron deficiency causes low immunity levels and anemia. Anemia leads to the reduction in hemoglobin, red blood cells and lymphocytes, which results in weakened immunity and a higher risk of infectious diseases.
[Source] – [Source] – [Source]
Now, I’m not suggesting you start stuffing yourself with steak and bacon on a daily basis, but neither would I suggest discounting it completely. Red meat does have its merits, and if you opt for lean cuts from well-rasied sources, enjoying it in moderation may actually be beneficial to your health. But enough talk of biology and controversy, let’s get to the real meat (har har) of this post – a recipe.
This recipe is special for a few reasons. First, it’s by Grandma, so you know it has to be good. Second, it’s the first savoury recipe that I’ve posted in I-don’t-know-how-long, so you know it has to be good 😉 Third, my mom got all giddy and excited when I asked her to share it with me, which I couldn’t help but smile at.
I hope you enjoy!
- 6 (1/4 inch thick) pieces beef top round steak (rouladen)
- 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 6 strips of bacon (can substitute with ham)
- 1 onion, sliced into thin wedges
- 6 small pickles (or 3 large), sliced into strips
- 3 mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp. canola oil
- 4 cups of beef broth (enough to just cover the meat)
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- Spread 1 tsp. of mustard on one side of each slice of steak. Follow with 1 tsp. of tomato paste.
- Place 1 strip of bacon, a few onion wedges, 1 sliced pickle, and 1/2 sliced mushroom on each slice of meat. Roll up and secure with toothpicks.
- Place flour in a shallow dish. Roll each rouladen in flour until fully coated.
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add rouladen and brown meat on all sides until no longer pink.
- Transfer to a medium sauce pan. Add beed broth, garlic, and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until meat is tender.
- Remove toothpicks and serve immediately.
Pre-choppped stuffing ingredients.
Coating with mustard and tomato paste.
Layering the stuffing.
The rolling process.
Securing with toothpicks and coating in flour.
Browning the meat.
Simmering in broth.
Enjoy with grains (kasha here) and greens.
. – . – . – .
What’s your take on red meat? Do you eat it?
What’s your favourite recipe by your mom or grandma?
I'm Amanda - health coach, cookbook author, recipe developer, makeup junkie, oatmeal addict, and the author of Running with Spoons - a blog dedicated to healthy eating.
Ok, please be prepared for me to arrive in Edmonton soon! You need to cook this for me. I am drooooling!
I love anything rouladen, and it looks so juicy.
I eat red meat about once a week, mostly it’s grilled beef or bison, and I love it plain with a sidesalad or as a lettuceburger, hmmmm.
My grandma made the best potatoes-casserole. I remember grabbing the casserole at the end to scratch out the last bits
Happy Monday love!
You’re -more- than welcome to come over for dinner! Bring chocolate 😉
Drooling over here – this looks so good. Court and I would LOVE this. Definitely making it when the weather gets cooler and I have more time to cook.
I used to think red meat was “bad” too. Even what I’ve learned in school is based on dated “science” that fat and meat are inflammatory and cause an increase in bad cholesterol, heart disease risk, obesity etc. But it’s not true, and current research has put that myth to bed. We now understand that over consumption of grains, sugar and processed foods are the cause of metabolic destruction. That said, conventional, grain-fed beef is not healthy – the fatty acid profile is too high in Omega 6s which cause inflammation due to animals being fed an unnatural diet. Grass fed, pastured beef is a completely different story, though.
Also, the great thing about red meat is that it’s so satiating you’re not going to go overboard and stuff your face. Can you imagine trying to do that with a plate of steaks? You’d stop after 1. Bread on the other hand… Hahaha
I sense some Food Pyramid hating 😉
Mmmmm! I remember this from the WIAW because it looked so darn tasty. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
A favorite recipe my mom used to make is her Friendship Soup, which is more or less one big vegetable soup, but still, there is something so special about it being called Friendship Soup and in addition, when my mom makes it.
Thank you for this! I’ll be honest, I did cut red meat out of my diet because I considered it “bad”. My mom is ALWAYS trying to get me to eat it and I am ALWAYS resistant. But this really does look fantastic! Maybe I will surprise her and actually ask to have it one night, haha.
Ok, YUM! Nothing like drooling over meat before 8am! Thanks lady
I’m not the biggest red meat fan but occasionally I crave it & give-in because my body is letting me know I need it. Love that this has pickles in it! My grandmother has an amazing lasagna recipe that she’s passed down, to die for. Happy Monday!
Wow this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe out! I like red meat..not as much as chicken but I do like it; I don’t have it that often though, probably only once ever week/two weeks.
It’s about the same for me, and I find that just the perfect amount
ohh this sounds yummy! I’m a big fan of red meat, although I tend to keep it to a couple-times-a-month type thing. maayyybe once a week, tops. (and thats usually in the summer when burgers and the like are everywhere) my favorite mom-recipe is her apple pie (cliche, i know) but she makes her own crust and the apples are amazing and its just SO SO good.
Mmm this looks fab, Amanda! I’m (fairly) new to the wonderful world of beef and I haven’t had the pleasure of trying out beef rouladen yet! As we don’t cook beef at home, I might have to invite myself over for dinner- this looks worth the journey ;)! I used to avoid red meat because of the fat content compared to chicken but it’s definitely become a part of my diet every so often! More than the health benefits, I just love the taste especially lamb and beef. Have you ever tried venison? It’s one of the leanest sources of red meat but ridiculously tasty- highly recommend it, especially in burger form!
I never have! But I hear really good things about bison meat, and we have a lot of that here in Alberta, so I might give it a shot.
I’m a huge fan of red meat. I probably eat it a little more than I should, but such is life.
Nothing will ever beat a well-cooked, high-quality, medium-rare steak. I’ve never had any kind of stuffed red meat though–this looks fantastic! My favorite dad-recipe (because my dad does all of the cooking :P) is…oh geesh. I don’t know if I can pick. It’d be a toss-up between his giant cheesy fluffy-crust pizzas and his apple pancakes. 
I mentioned it as comment on your WIAW a few weeks ago and I will say it again: I love beef rouladen! I never attempted to make them myself but always ate those my mom made – the only thing that looks different to yours are the mushrooms, she did not use them. But I love your recipe and it doesn’t sound that intimidating: I will try to make a batch soon. Bet that gives me some girlfriend-points 😉 and makes for great leftovers. Do you think I could freeze them?
You definitely could! And if you worry about finishing them on time, just half the recipe.
No, I don’t worry – I love easy reheatable meals to pop out of my freezer.
I wish I liked beef….but I seriously cant handle it! I guess maybe if it was melt in your mouth tender I’d be ok. I just find the whole chew chew chew thing so unappealing! Although I do love a good carne asada! But I suppose that’s because its such a thin slice of meat!
So, I don’t eat red meat and I haven’t for a long time. My family on the other hand, loves it, so this is definitely something I would cook for them. I think this would be a big hit in our household. Thanks for the recipe!
I no longer eat meat since I went vegetarian over a year and a half ago. I was never a huge meat eater but did enjoy a good steak on occasion. My mother and grandmother make a fabulous brisket – if you find brisket fabulous that is. I never cared much for it – I would eat it, ask for more, but never craved it or requested it on my own. Same went for meatloaf – it was good, I would have seconds but never craved it.
Hehe that’s actually kind of how I am with red meat. I’ll eat it when it’s there, but I don’t usually make it for myself (confession: I’m afraid I’ll cook it wrong and give myself food poisoning 😯 )
I think anything made by my grandma is fabulous. I love how she barely uses any recipes when shes cooking. She just knows it all in her head or estimates and they come out perfect everytime.
Hey – I have been stocking your blog for like… a week now and I absolutely love it. I am currently recovering from an eating disorder and your progress has helped me a lot. I would love to keep in contact. Check out my blog :)C,
I went through a phase from 16-20 or 21 where I didn’t eat red meat or pork (combination of a means of reducing calorie intake and watching too many PETA videos for a high school project). I thought I hated most beef and pork products when I was younger, but I’ve since realized that I’m just not a fan of my mom’s inclination to cook all meat to well-done 😉 I am glad that I re-introduced it though, both for the benefits that you mentioned and the fact that I adore a good steak dinner or BLT. I try to do beef once a week or so for the sake of my iron levels.
I’ve basically drooled over this recipe every time you’ve posted it, so I’m so excited that you posted the recipe! And knowing that it has pickles in it…now I’m just extra excited to make it 😉 This looks right up the boyfriend’s alley too, so it’ll make it’s way onto my meal plan the next time I see beef top round on sale!
Favourite dish by my grandma: her lemon meringue pie and mashed sweet potatoes with a crunchy pecan topping. She passed away when I was 7, but even at that age I learned to appreciate those recipes in particular.
Happy Monday love! <3
Gah! Overcooked red meat is an absolute nightmare… even just thinking about it skeeves me out. And can you believe that I never ate sweet potatoes growing up? I think I had my first one at the tender age of 24 when I started experimenting with my diet… My family is really European and I don’t think SPs are big in our culture.
But why CAN’T I stuff myself with bacon every day?! LOL! I’m kidding. I buy a couple strips at a time to cook up and add just a bit to meals. It’s so flavorful a little goes a long way!
Love the looks of this dish – especially the mustard!
Love all the science info behind the ingredients! ♥ And I’ll def eat red meat… although I don’t crave it as much as I did when I was younger…
Mmmm this looks awesome! I have eaten a lot more red meat since joe has been home haha but that usually means i have it 2 times a month. Sometimes 3 but usually every other week. I enjoy it a lot when we have it, too, since joe is an awesome cook 😛 i will be showing him this one to try out sometime next week or the week after haha..think he’ll be so surprised i mention red meat as an option he won’t think twice about making it 😉
I used to ban red meat 100% from my diet but now I’m allowing it in every once in a while. Handling raw meat freaks me out (weird?) so I typically order it twice a month when I go out to eat. Every once in a while, I get a huge craving for a burger which I take as a signal from my body that I need iron/protein/vitamins that only red meat have – like today… which means I am treating myself to a big ol’ burger for dinner tonight
And now, I’ll feel that much better about it with all of the health and nutrition facts you listed above!
I’m the same way when it comes to prepping it – I think I’m afraid that I’ll cook it wrong and end up giving myself food poisoning 😆
i only eat chicken, seafood, and occasional lamb..this rouladen reminds me of chicken roulade i had a long time ago but this version looks way more better, after all its grandma’s recipe
I eat red meat a few times a month, usually in the form of a burger
Otherwise, my breakfasts and lunches are generally sweet, based around yogurt. Sometimes I’ll buy some turkey bacon and do that instead. Dinner proteins are typically omelets or poached/fried eggs, but I have fish, chicken or turkey (in pasta sauce or chili) probably twice or three times a week
My mom’s favorite recipes…that’s so tough! I’d have to go with her flank steak with green onions, lamb, Montreal steak on the grill, BROWNIES (OMG THEY”RE THE MOST INCREDIBLE BROWNIES EVER), chocolate pudding cake (for reals), strawberry rhubarb crumble and Brussels sprouts with pancetta. My dad’s best…his Sunday crepes
mmmmm love some French Canadian goodness with lots of maple syrup (none of that nasty table syrup ick). Seriously though…Canadians have some damn good food. Montreal bagels? Sugar pie? MMMMM
Oh and my grandma? She sadly passed away around 6 years ago…but she was an exceptional cook but made everything with so much love. She made excellent savory food, especially homemade chicken noodle soup, but her real specialty was dessert! I always loved visiting my grandparents’ house (for many reasons, of course) especially because of the fabulous cakes that would always be sitting on counter. My favorite was her lime coconut cake or creme caramel, but my family ADORED her signature chocolate hazelnut (I couldn’t eat it because I’m allergic to hazelnuts) and Nanaimo bars. You could just taste the love in everything she made
I’m pretty sure it’s the love that makes grandma and mom meals taste so good. No matter how fancy of a restaurant you go to, a homecooked meal will always beat it for that very reason.
I have never actually liked red meat, and now I mostly don’t eat it because of it’s environmental footprint. I don’t like that it is labeled as being super unhealthy though. Sometimes I think I should eat it for the iron, but my treehugger guilt always gets the best of me . However, I think that if people like it and they know where it’s coming from, it’s not so bad to et it in moderation
Yum times a million. Thanks so much for sharing – I was hoping you were going to!
That looks absolutely delicious!!!!! I eat red meat from time to time and usually stick with grass-fed ground beef or bison. Bison is a leaner red meat, but it’s a little pricier.
HOLY SMOKES. That looks outrageously good! Like, I almost just licked my screen ;). Pinning!
Now you know how I felt after seeing the last two desserts you put up 😛
This is torture hahah! I need to get this in my belly asap 😉
I don’t eat red meat all that much. I do love it though. It’s a treat for me. A good rare steak…mmmm. I like to choose grass-fed but sometimes it’s either out of the budget or I don’t want to make the hr drive to get it. I eat it in moderation and move on… now if I could only do that with gelato!
I’m glad to see red meat getting some love! I’m vegetarian so I don’t eat meat, BUT it kind of drives me crazy when people talk about red meat like it’s the devil. I think any food can be fine in moderation (for me, it’s more about cake and cookies 😉 ). If I wasn’t vegetarian, I would totally be making this. I still might pass it along to my mom as I think she would really enjoy it!
My grandma makes amazing baked mac and cheese! Whenever she visits us or we visit her, it’s always on the top of our to-do list. Oh the memories involved with that dish… 😛
we do eat red meat but I don’t buy it- my husband is a big game guide so every year we get moose, caribou and/or deer in our freezer! one year he had an entire trophy sized deer made into jalapeno cheddar stuffed bologna….the butcher was laughing! I am a huge fan of bison- one year he drew a hunting permit & we ended up with bison meat. Amazing!
and my grandmother is a die hard Norweigian so her Leftse is amazing. growing up she would make it at least once a week & we would have it for breakfast & lunch, smothered in butter & brown sugar (its like a potato tortilla cooked on a really hot cast iron skillet) yay for happy childhood foodie memories day
I’m also not a huge fan of red meat, but I’m trying to incorporate it into my diet a little more these days. And this will make that SO easy–it looks amazing! Supah fancy and all
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
My favorite recipe from my mom is her steamed fish in banana leaves. Soooo delicious. I should post it one day!
You should! Maybe your mom will get all giddy and excited to share like mine did
This recipe is right up my husband’s alley. Pickles? Check. Red meat? Check! Bacon? Check!!! Looks amazing!
Okay, so you know I’m vegan with (dairy) benefits but rouladen … I’ll never pretend they weren’t good. I obviously don’t eat them anymore but I’ll agree those by my [or in your case: your] grandma were the best. Even if my mum prepared them following grandma’s recipe they’d come out differently.
Favourite recipe my grandma makes? That’s a tough one. Maybe her very special Christmas cookie with a shortbread crust, a layer of homemade jam, marzipan and icing plus a candied cherry on top. They take ages to prepare but she once even made some specifically for me on my birthday.
I’m the same that I don’t eat red meat very often, but it has so many great health benefits. Love the look of your recipe.
my mouth is watering over here! Im a huge meat eater, I love all the protein so I love finding new recipes, thanks!
did I ever tell you that I grew up on a beef farm? True story.
I have to make this for Luvy!
I do enjoy a little red meat here and then, but I’m more opposed to the harmful environmental effects of methane that come from cows .. methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 :/ looking forward to the day when lab grown meat becomes widespread! (half-serious ;P)
The environmental impact of raising cattle is absolutely insane – I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. That being said, lab grown meat kind of gives me the skeevies, so I think people should just reduce the amount of it they eat in general.
While I believe red meat in excess (like basically anything!) can be harmful, I have NO problem eating it on occasion. I love a good steak–and bacon. Yes, always, bacon! The main reason I don’t eat it frequently is due to its environmental footprint; it’s difficult to find sustainably-raised, grass-fed, etc. beef in my area (unless I buy half a cow–and I’d have no clue what to do with all that beef).
This looks fantastic…thanks for sharing!
Oh…and I have to say my favorite recipe by my grandma was her and my Papa’s fried shrimp! Not the healthiest, but for some reason, it always tasted better when they cooked it.
I don’t eat red meat, but I would totally try this with chicken. I do eat bacon so that would totally go in there! 😉
My grandma (Nonna) used to make the BEST pizza. It’s not your traditional pizza. She didn’t use mozzarella, just fresh tomatoes and sprinkled it with Parmesan. It was lighter but SO good. Cooked just perfectly each time. It can never be replicated.
Beef with pickles? Okay I’m pretty sure I would love this! I eat red meat from time to time because as you said, if you buy the right cut, it’s incredibly healthy – and delicious too. I love bean burgers, but sometimes they just don’t cut it when I’m craving a real burger. Also a perfectly rare bison steak? Heavenly.
My favourite recipe of my grandma on my mom’s side is her sugar cookies – she makes them for Christmas every year and I don’t know what her secret is, but they are delicious. And from my dad’s side, my Nana has the most amazing coq au vin recipe!
I don’t typically eat red meat. In fact, yesterday was the first time I ate meat in 2 months! It was soooo good though 😉 I tried to go vegetarian but found that I was experiencing wacky mood swings and I felt deprived. I might just try this because your photos are absolutely mouthwatering! Lol. My Mom makes killer pies and that’s a skill I haven’t yet inherited from her.
My body does a lot better when there’s animal protein in my diet as well. I followed a vegetarian diet for a few years and definitely noticed a lot of improvements to my health after adding meat back in.
Oh I love family recipes so much and I love it even more when other people share them! This looks fantastic
If I had to choose my fav family recipe it would have to be my grandma’s creamy leek and potato cod fish, I could seriously eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and I’m not ashamed to admit that I have)
No joke, I will be making this within the next week because 1. I owe my mum and sister a dinner 2. I actually have 3 steaks (although topside) so I think I will halve the recipe and produce a winner, as any recipe by a Grandmother is a guaranteed hit! I’ll make sure to photograph the evidence 😉 My mum makes this amazing chicken and no matter how much I try to recreate it, it never happens!
Innnnnnnnnteresting! I’d actually never heard of rouladen until I saw it on your blog the other day. I have to say it looks pretty tasty! Just wondering, do you use sweet or dill pickles?
My favorite recipe of my mom’s (that I can make) would be her enchiladas…but her pot roast with veggies is out of this world and mine never seems to come out quite like hers! And my favorite granny recipe would be “Chicken Stuff” which is basically just a thick and creamy soup-like chicken mix served over crumbled cornbread. Simple yet delicious! I actually posted the recipe here: http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2011/12/19/grannys-chicken-stuff/
Dill pickles <3 And omigosh that chicken recipe looks -amazing- Talk about comfort food to the max!
Your recipe looks GREAT!
I am not a big beef eater these days, but I do remember being so inlove with my mom’s beef stew when I was younger.
I’m the same way- I don’t ever cook meat, but I’ll eat it from time to time. Good to know all of the health benefits! Have a great day!
Hi new reader!
I love the look of this dish, the meat looks so tender!
this looks absolutely delicious. I only eat red meat once in a while and always make sure it’s organic and local etc. I can’t wait to try this recipe out. The only pickle. . . is well, the pickles. The husband hates them. Is there something else that can be stuffed into the meat? Like carrots?
Hmm. The pickles are more for flavour than anything else, so I wouldn’t really suggest carrots. You could either just leave them out, or try some cheese slices instead.
I do not eat red meat and have not for 12 years. Last year I was told my B12 was low and I had to start eating more chicken and fish to fix that.
Wow your beef dish looks delicious! Also I completely agree with you about not cutting out red meat completely. I’ve found it very important to keep around for minimal consumption during the week.
Amanda you need to be a photographer! Those pictures are gorgeous! We need to find a way to virtually share food. I am drooling! Ok, on to the questions!
What’s your take on red meat? Do you eat it? Well in south texas white meat is cheaper, so I usually don’t have much red meat. It’s not really on purpose, it just sort of happens that way.
What’s your favourite recipe by your mom or grandma? My grandma’s countless homemade soups and pies. So many flavors to choose from because they’re all amazing!
Wow, girl! I’m so surprised you’re starting to share meal recipes! Keep ’em coming because this looks soooo heavenly!!! I’m totally pinning it because it looks so juicy and tender.
I just find it a lot harder to share savoury recipes because the measurements aren’t as exact as they are with baking… especially with herbs and spices! I swear that most of the time I just want to write out “to taste,” but that’s not exactly helpful 😛
Loving this savory recipe! I love the flavors of tomato and mustard with beef. Yum.
I’m definitely pro-red meat. (that sounded kinda strange, huh? – pro-red meat…) There was actually a time period when I used to not eat it at all, but being from a state that is known for it’s steaks and bbq, it’s kind of hard to avoid it. I don’t eat it everyday, but I eat it often enough to understand the many benefits it brings with it. I understand that there are many reasons why others may choose not to eat it, but for me it’s something that helps me easily balance out the key nutrients that we need.
I don’t eat meat, but I don’t hate on it either. In fact, I prepare it for the Hubby from time to time, and he’d love this. Great recipe.
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This is just so ecstatic! The beef is perfectly cooked. And it looks so tender and juicy. This is really mouthwatering. I would love this for dinner tonight!