The Laramie Peak CattleWomen celebrated May Beef Month by providing cooking classes to Platte County students.
On May 6, Lindy Schroeder, Jan Hyche, and Frances Caster helped the secondary students at Prairie View Community School in Chugwater to create a quick and easy dish—Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner. Then again, on May 21, Sharon Utter, Carol Cook and Liz Lauck worked with Julie Balzan’s Life Skills classes at Wheatland Middle School to prepare Taco Beef Nuggets with Tejano Dipping Sauce.
“The kids had a lot of fun following the recipe and creating something delicious to eat and we had a lot of fun with the students!” LPCW President Liz Lauck said. “Hands-on experience in the kitchen is so important and understanding how to properly handle and prepare ground beef is a necessary life skill.”
While students were cooking, the ladies of LPCW shared information about beef. Topics included safe handling of raw meat, various beef cuts, beef as part of a healthy diet, and cattle and the environment.
“Students enjoyed eating the meal they created,” LPCW member Frances Castor said. “They devoured every last bite!”
When cooking beef, a meat thermometer is the best way to check that the meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees (Fahrenheit). Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness.
Steaks can be cooked to 145 degrees for medium rare, 160 degrees for medium and 170 degrees for well done. Fresh ground beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days (3-4 days if cooked) or in the freezer for 3-4 months (2-3 months for cooked).

Beef is a nutrient dense protein that can fuel your body well. A 3-oz. serving of lean beef is only 8 percent of your daily value of calories and provides the following percentages of your daily value of these nutrients:
Protein 48% (preserves and builds strong muscles)
B12: 44% and B6 22% (maintains brain function)
Selenium 40% (protects cells from damage)
Zinc 36% (maintains a healthy immune system)
Niacin 26% (energy production and metabolism)
Phosphorus 19% (builds bones and teeth)
Choline 16% (supports nervous system)
Iron 12% (helps the body use oxygen)
Riboflavin 10% (converts food into fuel)

About the Laramie Peak CattleWomen
Organized in 1956, the Laramie Peak CattleWomen are dedicated women who believe the livestock industry is of basic importance to world existence. LPCW develops educational awareness about beef and promotes a better understanding of the various roles the beef industry plays in the environment and the national economy. We are affiliated with the Wyoming CattleWomen (www.wyocattlewomen.org). Find out more about our events and initiatives at www.facebook.com/Laramie Peak Cattle Women Platte Co Wyoming.