Until around 1870, Americans did not eat a lot of beef. But once the cattle industry became established in the West, and refrigerated train cars facilitated distribution, beef grew to become a greater part of the American diet. Today, in spite of the fact that chicken, turkey and fish are found increasingly more often on the dinner table and vegetarianism is became more accepted, the average American eats more than 65 pounds of beef a year.

In fact, certain types of beef, such as Kobe beef, are more popular than ever.

Beef, which is the culinary name for meat from bovines, is also popular in the cuisines of the Middle East, South America, Australia, and Europe, as well as Africa and parts of Asia. In some cultures beef is considered taboo. In India, for example, bovines are venerated due to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist beliefs.

The more a cook knows about a certain type of food, the better he or she will become. Learn more about the history of beef, dating back thousands of years, at http://beef.gourmetrecipe.com/Beef_History.

How does a heifer become a cow? What is a bullock? Discover more interesting facts about beef and where it comes from at http://beef.gourmetrecipe.com/about-beef.

Preparing Beef Dishes – Beef Recipes

All meats, beef included, can be confusing for beginning cooks trying to decide which cuts should be served and how to prepare them. This page, http://beef.gourmetrecipe.com/beef-cuts and subsequent links explain the various cuts of beef. Methods of preparation can differ, depending on the cut of meat. For example, cuts that come from strong muscles, such as the legs and shoulders, are best when cooked longer with wet heat methods such as stewing or braising. This helps tenderize the meat.

For more recipes that include beef, check out the collection of dinner time staples such as beef wellington, pot roast, and meatloaf at http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/search/beef.

This recipe for beef stroganoff, http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/beef-stroganoff, can be done quickly and provides a hearty entrée for a family.

Got a slow cooker and hungry kids? This recipe for barbecued beef, http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pulled-barbecue-beef, will provide tasty sandwiches for several meals.

Beef can sometimes be blue collar, but it can also be dressed up as a great meal for that special occasion: http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/fried-beef-fillet-with-morel-mushrooms-and-venice-balsam.