QUESTION: Do you have any tips for braising beef?

ANSWER:
1. Slowly brown beef on all sides in a small amount of oil in a heavy pan. Pour off drippings and season as desired.

2. Add a small amount (1/2 - 2 cups) of liquid, such as stock, water or wine.

3. Cover tightly and simmer gently over low heat on range top or in a 325 degrees F oven following the guide below or until fork tender. Reduce or thicken cooking liquid as desired.

BEEF BRAISING GUIDE:

BEEF CUT		WEIGHT		TIME
Chuck Pot Roast (Arm, Shoulder or Blade), boneless		2-1/2 to 4 pounds		2 to 3 hours
Chuck Shoulder Steak, boneless		3/4 to 1 inch		1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours
Brisket, fresh		2-1/2 to 3-1/2 pounds		1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours
Round Steak, (Eye or Bottom), boneless		3/4 to 1 inch thick		1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours
Round Steak, (Eye or Bottom), boneless		1 to 1-1/2 inch thick		1-3/4 to 2-1/2 hours
For Top Round Steak, braising is not recommended.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 20 Minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (10.5 ounce) can beef broth
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 pound boneless round steak, cut into bite size pieces
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped fresh broccoli

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, broth, sugar and soy sauce and stir until sugar and flour are dissolved. In a large skillet or wok over high heat, stir and cook steak until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth mixture, ginger, garlic and broccoli. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Marinating Time: 1 Hour
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready in: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 boneless-skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2-3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt (optional)
1 lemon, sliced

Directions:
1. In shallow bowl, combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, peppers and salt.

2. Add chicken to marinade, turning to coat both sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour or longer.

3. Preheat broiler.

4. Drain chicken, reserving marinade.

5. Broil 6 to 8 inches from heat source 6 to 8 minutes on each side until cooked through.

6. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring marinade to a boil; turn chicken 2 or 3 times during cooking and brush with boiled marinade.

7. To serve, garnish with lemon slices.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 16 to 20 Minutes
Ready In: 26 to 30 Minutes
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
2 boneless pork chops, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
salt (optional)
black pepper (optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; sauté pork cubes, garlic and onion until pork starts to brown, about 4-5 minutes.

2. Add remaining ingredients, lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook gently for 12-15 minutes.

3. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and black pepper if desired.

1) Thumann's uses only the finest and freshest ingredients, guaranteeing their customers the best tasting, healthiest products available.

2) Thumann's expert butchers still trim their meats by hand, the old-fashioned way. Every product is inspected, to assure you receive the best deli product on the market.

3) Thumann's family recipes use the lowest amount of salt and sugar.

4) Thumann's products never use any artificial flavors, colors, or fillers.

5) Thumann's products are gluten free.

6) Thumann's products contain absolutely no MSG.

Sign-up today to join our Travel and Vacation Newsletter that will be starting shortly.

When you click that link you can then select our Vacation & Travel interest group; then click submit... it is that simple!

Every Sunday, Haverhill Beef has one item at a super sale price! Never be out of our GREAT steaks, sirloin tips, chicken, ribs and sausages!

Stop by on Sunday and check this out! -- You won't be disappointed!

• Remember Sundays Only!
• Item will not be advertised in the newspapers!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEB SITE'S "This Week's Specials" page on Friday afternoons for a hint for the upcoming "Sunday Special":

DID YOU KNOW?: Haverhill Beef's meat packages are made from the fresh, high quality meats you would buy from our display cases. Never put up and frozen; always packed when ordered. The meat packages are suitable for freezing.

Haverhill Beef stocks its deli with the finest quality products which are brought in fresh several times a week. All our deli meats and cheeses are cut fresh to order so you get the freshest product with the best flavor.

Having a party, reunion or family gathering?

Try one of Haverhill Beef's deli platters. We have various sizes to fit every occasion. All of our deli platters are made fresh to order for guaranteed satisfaction.