Meals With Red Meat

Make a zesty hamburger hash in about 30 minutes using ingredients you already have in the freezer and pantry. Cook together ranch-seasoned browned ground beef with frozen O'Brien potatoes and chopped onion for a few minutes, and top it with a jar of prepared salsa to give it a kick. Or make a quick stew with browned ground beef and a package of frozen mixed vegetables that contains carrots and potatoes. A can of black beans or kidney beans adds protein and ties the stew together. Serve it with a salad topped with a creamy dressing, and you've got a meal.

Use a slow-cooker to cook a pork loin or pork roast all day for a ready-to-eat main dish that's a crowd-pleaser at dinnertime. Season the pork loin with ranch seasoning mix for a kid-friendly flavor combination. Barbecued pulled pork that has simmered in sauce for hours is delicious on thick slices of bread or on buns, or serve it simply as meat with barbecue sauce. Bake some scrubbed potatoes in the microwave, open a jar of applesauce, and heat some canned green beans while you set the table.

Prepare lamb chops in a skillet and have a meal on the table in about half an hour. Brown the lamb chops in a pan, adding lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper after you turn the chops for the second side to cook. Depending on the thickness, lamb chops cook in about 12 to 14 minutes. Serve lamb chops with a green salad and bottled creamy dressing, and include steamed peas and carrots and herbed brown rice.

Game meat, such as venison, is a low-fat, nutritious meat that can be found in many supermarkets. Prepare venison as you would other red meats. Dress up simple venison chops by browning them in a skillet, then serve them with a sauce of reconstituted dried cranberries cooked with sweet shallots and herb seasonings. For kids who might not appreciate the gamey taste of venison, drizzle some ranch dressing on top to provide a more familiar flavor. Steamed asparagus spears and sweet potatoes are ideal complements, and for a rustic touch, serve cornbread with this meal.