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  2. Beef Picadillo-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Beef Picadillo-Stuffed Acorn Squash

A nutrient-rich alternative to the brown-sugar-and-butter treatment for squash. Top it instead with a spicy-sweet blend of Ground Beef, onion, cinnamon and raisins.

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican Seasoning Mix (see below)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 1 acorn squash, quartered, cooked
  • 1 tablespoon slivered almonds (optional)

Cooking:

  1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and onion; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; pour off drippings. Return beef mixture to skillet.
    2. 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. Sprinkle seasoning mix and cinnamon over beef; mix well. Stir in tomato sauce and raisins; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over squash. Garnish with almonds, if desired.
    3. Cook's Tip: Mexican Seasoning Mix: Combine 1/3 cup chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin and 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Store in airtight container. Shake before using to blend.

Nutrition Information

Safe Handling Tips

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!