Steak tartare. Raw beef on rye. Cannibal sandwiches. Anyone?

I grew up eating this. Both sides of the family. Not sure if it's a Wisconsin thing, a Midwest thing, a German thing...it's a "thing", whatever it is. I love it. Lots don't.

Most people shirk at eating raw meat 'cause they're afraid of bacteria (or they've never tried it). But if you use ground lean meat (90% actual beef) and don't have a weakened immune system or a chronic illness, the chances of getting E. coli or salmonella are nil. I've been eating it since I was a child and I've never gotten sick.

And if you're still repulsed at the notion of eating raw beef...chill, people do it all over the world - Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Syria and Turkey.

Funny how people wolf down salmon and sushi but continue to turn their nose up at raw beef. How gosh.

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Raw beef on rye. Mmmmm.

Or "steak tartare" or "cannibal food"...depending on where you live. Mostly a Christmas holiday treat, this delicacy has been popular with the Ircink's and Datka's (my mother's family) since before my parent's were born. Not sure if it's a Wisconsin thing or a Midwest thing or a German thing (I know it's a popular dish with Jews and Asians). Whatever it is, the "thing" is tasty. You have to use fat-free ground round or ground sirloin. Spread it on rye slice, salt and add a slice of onion and you're set.

When I lived in Iowa we had to bring a dish to pass for a Christmas party at work. I brought in a couple pounds of meat, onions, rye bread and salt. Everyone looked at the the spread like I was nuts.

Except the German guy from Chicago. We both feasted. And I've never gotten sick from eating raw beef. Ever.

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