Get Gourmet for Less: Steak Pinwheels

Lets face it… Beef is EXPENSIVE! Most grocery stores have reasonable prices on pork, chicken, and fish. Head to the beef aisle…Ugh! I can’t help but scowl at the horrible pricing there! Here’s a recent example: Winn-Dixie is the local store my husband and I shop at often. In most cases, their prices beat the Base Commissary, as well as other local grocery stores. They have a sale on New York Strip steaks this week for $7.99 a lb and claim you are saving $5.00 a lb. Sirloin Pork Chops are on sale for $1.49 a lb and you save $1.50. While it’s important for us to eat beef, is it worth the expense? Yes, of course, but as a chef, I tend to look for cheaper cuts of meat. This week I came across USDA Choice Thin Top Round Rouladen Steak for $2.90 a lb. Although the cut is lean and can be a little tougher than the fattier cuts we are used to (ex. flank steak), this cut seemed perfect for Steak Pinwheels.

Rouladen is a cheaper cut of meat that is often rolled and stuffed with bacon, onions, mustard, and pickles. For Steak Pinwheels, I chose to use Spinach, Cream Cheese, and Feta for the filling. Both the beef and spinach provide Iron, which is great for any body, especially those with Anemia. If I had purchased the New York Strip steak, I would have spent over $9.54 per person (if serving 2), but with the Rouladen ($2.15 for 3), Cream Cheese ($2.50 for 8oz),  Canned Spinach (0.89 a can), and Crumbled Feta Cheese ($4.50 per 6 oz container), I can serve three, nutritious entrees for $3.35 per person. Only a third of the cost of the New York Strip steak! Enjoy!

Get Gourmet for Less: Steak Pinwheels

Ingredients:

• 2 skewers, soaked
• 1 lb or slightly less Thin Top Round Rouladen Steak
• 1 can of Coca Cola
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 can spinach, drained
• 1/2 6oz container feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:
In advance, soak skewers in water. Also, marinate steaks in Coca Cola.
To begin, start and preheat your grill. While you wait on the grill to preheat, combine cream cheese, spinach, and feta cheese in a bowl. Stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Lay an individual Rouladen Steak on a cutting board. (You can trim the steak for straighter edges on the pinwheels. Personally, I don’t because I would prefer to eat it! 🙂 ) Spread spinach and cheese mixture onto the steak.

Roll the steak up loosely. You don’t want to roll it so tight the delicious cheese comes out, so be careful!

Cut the roll in half and place pinwheels onto a skewer. Repeat for the remaining pinwheels.

Before putting the pinwheels on the grill, make an aluminum foil tray to place on the grill. This will keep the yummy spinach and cheese and flavorful meat juices from dripping into the bottom of your grill.

Grill for about 5 minutes on each side or until meat is done. Serve immediately and…

Enjoy!