Beef Olives

Beef is a kind of meat taken from domestic cattle. It has been a part of every person’s diet from countries around the world. It is a very good source of protein with rich flavorful taste and aroma hence a favorite main ingredient for various recipes.

Olives are fruits taken from the olive tree. They serve as an ingredient to several recipes common to areas of the Mediterranean Basin (coastal areas of Western Europe, Western Asia and North Africa). It is a source for olive oil which is a healthy option for most of people. Olive has been a symbol for peace and blessing in Mediterranean culture.

Today, we take inspiration from these two ingredients together with other flavors to create a delectable meal. Beef Olives is a traditional Mediterranean steak dish in which stuffed beef slices are tied into oversized olive shapes seasoned with herbs and spices added with sauce. What’s amazing  with this recipe is that doesn’t use olives at all. All you have to do is make some beaten lean steak, roll it around in a tasty stuffing, and bake to cook and voila, Beef Olives served just for you!

Learn the basics of this recipe in an easy way and then add some personal flavor to this dish. 

You need the following:

1 pound steak, sliced thin and tenderized |1 egg yolk, beaten |1 tbsp. beef drippings | 1 tbsp. flour | 1 tbsp. shredded suet |1 tsp. freshly chopped parsley | 1/4 tsp. dried mixed herbs | 2 tbsp. fresh breadcrumbs | 2.5 cups beef stock |3 cups mashed potatoes | salt and pepper to taste| 1 cup cooked peas (for garnish) | frying pan | kitchen strings |

How to prepare: 

Sprinkle suet with breadcrumbs, then finely chop the suet. Add herbs, parsley, salt and pepper.

Add beaten egg yolk and mix until it binds. Cut the steak into thin strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. Spread the steak strips with the suet mixture.

Roll the steaks up and tie them into olive shapes with the kitchen string.

Turn on the oven, medium heat then put the frying pan.  Melt the drippings and place the steak rolls in the pan.

Fry the steak rolls until they are browned on all sides.Remove the steak rolls from the pan.

Then add flour to the pan and cook until the flour is browned.Stir the stock into the flour gradually.

Bring to a boil.Put the steak rolls back in the pan, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours.

Finally,serve with mashed potatoes and garnish with peas.

For other variations of this recipe you may sauté onions, carrots and celery until brown and put them on the side.  Makes  5-6 servings.