Beef with Cucumber Raita

A quick ethnic recipe as well as healthy. If you've never had anything like this, it's worth trying.

Grocery List:
1 8 oz. carton plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt
1/4 c. coarsely shredded unpeeled cucumber
1 tablespoon chopped red onion
1 tablespoon snipped fresh mint, chopped
1/4 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak, cut 1 inch thick
1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

Directions:
Pre-heat the broiler. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, onion, snipped mint and sugar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Trim the fat from the meat. Sprinkle meat with lemon pepper seasoning. Broil meat about 4 inches from heat for 15-22 minutes depending on your desired doneness. Be sure to turn meat half way through cooking.

When done, cut steak across the grain, serve with raita.

Notes:
I typically use the left over cucumber used to make the raita to make a cucumber salad. This makes for a healthy light meal.

Source:
Better Homes and Garden Cook Book, 75 Anniversary Edition.

Balsamic Chicken

Grocery List:
2-4 chicken breasts
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon brown sugar

Directions:
Broil your chicken about 4-5 inches from heat. This should be about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it. It should be a light brown and look like something you want to eat.

Over low to medium heat, begin to reduce the balsamic vinegar and the brown sugar in a small frying pan. Do not turn the heat up too much and continue stirring it. Eventually, you will be left with a dark brown reduction that is relatively thick. If it’s not going fast enough, you can increase the heat a bit. You do not want this to come to a boil.

When your chicken is done, drizzle the balsamic reduction over the chicken. The reduction is quite tasty, however, you can easily overpower your chicken. Use lightly.

Notes:
I make this meal when I feel the need for a lot of flavor but need a quick cleanup. In addition, I make a quick side to go with this, such as rice, noodles, etc.

Source:
I borrowed the reduction part of the recipe from the http://www.mayoclinic.com/.