I use beef to slow cook chilli and bolognese and make lasagne but I always fry it off first before adding, it's yuk :| I find a lot less fat comes off lean though. I'm a bit mad for draining it and even soaking up any extra with good kitchen paper... other week someone in my house didn't drain it and I refused to eat it
I only use beef once a week though, occasionally twice, depends but mostly once if any!
