A clever way to lighten classic stroganoff is to use another Russian favourite — beets — with yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce fat and add calcium. Noodles are traditional, but rice would also be nice. Fat-free, low-calorie and a source of fibre, beets are good for maintaining a healthy digestive system. They also contain plenty of folate for heart, circulation and pregnancy benefits, plus potassium to help regulate blood pressure.
Preparation 15 minutes
Cooking 17 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- 350 g (3/4 lb) white mushrooms
- 500 g (1 lb) lean top round steak
- 250 g (1 c) cooked beets, cut in 1.5 cm (3/4 in) strips
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) sunflower oil
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) whole-grain mustard
- 125 ml (1/2 c) plain yogurt
- 30 g (2 tbsp) fresh thyme or oregano leaves
Instructions for this delectable meal
- Finely slice the onion and mushrooms and cut the steak into 1.5 centimetre (3/4 inch) strips. Heat 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Sauté the onion for five minutes, or until it begins to brown. Add the mushrooms and cook for another five minutes, or until softened. Transfer the onion and mushrooms to a bowl and stir in the mustard
- Add the remaining 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of oil to the pan and fry the steak over high heat for three minutes. Reduce heat slightly, if the steak is starting to burn, and continue to cook for three minutes until browned. Any juices should have evaporated, leaving the meat moist.
- Stir in the beets and cook for one minute. Season to taste and gently fold in the onions and mushrooms.
- Add half the yogurt and remove the pan from the heat. Stir the mixture, sprinkle with thyme or oregano leaves, and divide among four plates. Drizzle each portion with a little of the remaining yogurt before serving.
Alternative ingredients
- Lamb is delicious cooked this way as an alternative to beef. Select lamb fillets or thin leg steaks.
- Lightly cooked carrot strips are tasty with beef in place of beets.
- Add tarragon instead of thyme or oregano.