Recipes

Beef Heart Tacos

by Edina Szender
Ingredients: 1 Beef heart (trimmed, thinly sliced) 2 tbsp Lime juice (freshly squeezed) 1 tsp Cumin (ground) 1 tsp Smoked paprika 8 Small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, if preferred) 1/2 Onion (diced) 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped) Salt and pepper (to taste) Lime wedges (for serving) Olive oil (for sautéing) Instructions: Marinate the Beef Heart: Slice the beef heart into thin strips (about 1/4-inch thick). In a bowl, combine the lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the sliced beef heart in the marinade and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors. The acidity from the lime juice will also help tenderize the meat. Prepare the Tortillas: While the beef heart is marinating, heat a dry skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly warm the corn tortillas for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side, until soft and pliable. You can wrap them in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm as you finish cooking. Sauté the Beef Heart: Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef heart slices to the pan. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side, just until the beef is cooked through. It’s best to avoid overcooking to keep the meat tender and juicy. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Assemble the Tacos: To assemble, place a few slices of the cooked beef heart on each warmed tortilla. Top with a spoonful of diced onions and a handful of chopped cilantro. Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the top for an extra zesty kick. Serve: Serve the beef heart tacos immediately, with extra lime wedges on the side. Tips: Toppings: You can add other toppings like avocado slices, sour cream, or salsa for added flavor. Grilled Beef Heart: If you prefer, you can grill the marinated beef heart slices instead of sautéing them. This will give the meat a nice char and smoky flavor. Spice Level: If you want a little heat, consider adding some sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce. These Beef Heart Tacos are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a unique take on taco night. The smoky paprika and cumin, combined with the tender beef heart and fresh toppings, create a deliciously satisfying meal. Enjoy!

Beef Heart Stew

by Edina Szender
Ingredients: 1 Beef heart (trimmed and cut into cubes) 2 Onions (diced) 3 Carrots (peeled and sliced) 3 Potatoes (peeled and cubed) 2 Tomatoes (diced, or 1 can diced tomatoes) 4 cups Beef broth 2 Bay leaves 1 tsp Thyme (dried or fresh) 1/2 cup Red wine (optional but adds depth of flavor) Salt and pepper (to taste) 2 tbsp Olive oil (for sautéing) Instructions: Prepare the Beef Heart: Trim any excess fat and connective tissue from the beef heart. Cut it into bite-sized cubes (about 1 to 1.5-inch pieces). Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they soften and become translucent. Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot, and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes. Brown the Beef Heart: Add the cubed beef heart to the pot, stirring occasionally to brown the meat on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). The beef heart should release a bit of liquid and become slightly caramelized. Add Tomatoes and Red Wine: Stir in the diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) and red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine reduce slightly for about 2 minutes. Simmer the Stew: Add the beef broth, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef heart is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. If you find the stew getting too thick, add a little more beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency. Season and Serve: Taste the stew and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and serve hot. It pairs wonderfully with a crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth. Tips: Slow Cooker Option: If you prefer to make this in a slow cooker, after browning the beef heart and sautéing the vegetables, add everything (including broth, wine, and seasonings) to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Wine Substitution: If you don’t want to use wine, you can substitute with more beef broth or even a splash of balsamic vinegar for a bit of acidity. Herb Variations: You can also add rosemary or oregano for additional flavor depth if you like. Make Ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it in advance and reheat it. This Beef Heart Stew is the epitome of comfort food—rich, flavorful, and satisfying. The beef heart becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked, and the aromatic broth with vegetables creates a dish that’s perfect for a cozy, nourishing meal. Enjoy!

Grilled Beef Heart with Chimichurri

by Edina Szender
Ingredients: For the Beef Heart: 1 Beef heart (trimmed and sliced into 1-inch steaks) 3 tbsp Olive oil 3 cloves Garlic (minced) 1 tsp Dried oregano (optional) 1 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Black pepper For the Chimichurri Sauce: 1/2 cup Fresh parsley (finely chopped) 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar (or white vinegar) 3 cloves Garlic (minced) 1/2 tsp Chili flakes (adjust to your heat preference) 1/4 cup Olive oil 1/2 tsp Salt (or to taste) 1/4 tsp Black pepper Instructions: Prepare the Beef Heart: Trim any excess fat and connective tissue from the beef heart, then slice it into steaks about 1-inch thick. In a bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Coat the beef heart steaks in this marinade, ensuring they’re evenly covered. Let the beef heart marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor). Make the Chimichurri Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the chopped parsley, minced garlic, chili flakes, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You can add more vinegar for acidity or more chili flakes for heat. Let the chimichurri sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Grill the Beef Heart: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the marinated beef heart steaks on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side (for medium-rare), or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Beef heart is best cooked to medium-rare or medium to ensure tenderness. Remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve: Slice the grilled beef heart steaks against the grain into thin slices (this helps with tenderness). Plate the slices and drizzle generously with the homemade chimichurri sauce. Serve immediately. Tips: Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the beef heart while grilling. Overcooking can make it tough, so aim for medium-rare to medium for the best texture. Chimichurri Variations: If you like a bit of sweetness in your chimichurri, add a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar. You can also swap in cilantro for some or all of the parsley for a slightly different flavor. Side Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette. This Grilled Beef Heart with Chimichurri is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress. The marinated beef heart is smoky, tender, and packed with rich flavor, while the chimichurri adds a fresh, spicy kick. Perfect for a bold dinner that’s full of personality! Enjoy!

Grilled Beef Heart Skewers with Arugula-Parmesan Salad and Grilled Polenta

by Edina Szender
Ingredients: For the Beef Heart Skewers: 1 lb beef heart, cleaned and cut into 1-inch cubes 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried rosemary) 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper For the Arugula-Parmesan Salad: 4 cups fresh arugula 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese 1 lemon, juiced 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the Grilled Polenta: 1 tube of pre-cooked polenta (about 18 oz), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Instructions: Prepare the Beef Heart: In a bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. Add the beef heart cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor). Grill the Beef Heart: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the marinated beef heart cubes onto skewers, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Grill the skewers for 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the outside is nicely charred but the inside is still tender and medium-rare (you can adjust cooking time for desired doneness). Remove from the grill and set aside. Prepare the Arugula-Parmesan Salad: In a large bowl, toss the arugula with the shaved Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently. Grill the Polenta: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Brush the polenta slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the polenta slices for 2-3 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear and the slices are heated through. Serve: Serve the grilled beef heart skewers alongside the arugula-Parmesan salad and grilled polenta slices for a delicious, balanced meal. Enjoy your flavorful and hearty dish!