Oh. Yum.

It’s time to get outside and grill! Here’s a great video to help you get the most out of your Kansas City Strips.

It’s amazing how different cuts should be cooked slightly differently to enhance the cut’s flavor. You can really take it to a whole other level if you take the time to really know your beef.

Follow these instructions and see how it works for you!

Or…just watch and enjoy the beauty of a gorgeous steak. I just like to watch it sizzle and cook and imagine the smell.

Then, of course, it makes me want to go grill one.

Happy grilling!

What do the ongoing political debates have to do with steak?

EVERYTHING.

See, in my world, everything has something to do with steak. And, it seems, I am not alone.

Case in point:  This excerpt from a CNN.com article about the recent debate between the Republican candidates…

“This was Rick Santorum’s first debate with front-runner status. That means it was his time to get grilled like a fine Kansas City steak. And I wouldn’t say he came out of it like a filet.”

Gorgeous word imagery. I’m getting hungry just thinking about how Santorum did.

And yes, all things lead back to steak. This was a hilarious analogy. And oh so fitting. But this is not the first time steak has played a part in the political landscape. Far from it.

All steak and no sizzle? Seen that one before. Steak dinners shared by heavy-hitters? Check. Celebratory steak barbecues? Every time.

It just goes to show you, steak is all around us – and you don’t have to look very hard to find it. Especially in the political arena.

And frankly THAT’S the kind of world I want my children to inherit. Let’s just see who plays the steak card best this time around.

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Excerpt courtesy of Todd Graham via CNN.com.

I’m thinking this might be for me. It might take all the guesswork out of meal planning and ensure that I have something tasty on hand at all times.

It’s a 12 Month Plan with pretty awesome choices like Beef Wellington, T-bones, Prime Rib Roast, Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon…

But…I am going to send them to myself. It’s a gift to myself that will keep on giving.

Seems like a smart way to make sure I’m ready to go with some amazing menu items. I’m all about making life easier for myself this year and this seems like a great option.

Pre-planning. What a concept! I wish I had fully embraced it before. I might have saved myself a whole lot of heartache – and scrambling. Check it out here if you want to try it, too.

Here’s to a less-harried 2012!!!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

So THIS is where I get all my meat – the Kansas City Steak Company. My beloved ribeyes always taste better when they’re from KC Steaks.

And I told you a while ago about their cool free iPhone app that has a steak timer and cooking instructions to help you make a perfect steak.

NOW, they have a new mobile website that makes it so, so simple to order steaks right from your phone.

Did you hear that? You can order steaks from your phone! What kind of world are we living in? I feel like we should all be wearing aluminum foil suits and driving around in flying cars like in “The Jetsons.” This stuff is so cool!

Plus, that iPhone app now has this new mobile site incorporated right into it. I love it when people make things easier for me, don’t you? It doesn’t happen very often.

So, if you’re on a smart phone, go to this website right now! Every steak imaginable is there. Even Kobe beef. Then, download the free app and all the tools you need for a dinner party that’s da bomb will be right at your fingertips!

Technology certainly does rock!

Filet Mignon from Kansas City Steak Company on Vimeo.

The corporate chef at the Kansas City Steak Company has some great tips for us on how to cook a fantastic filet.

Thank goodness. I’m going to be listening up because I don’t always know what I’m doing at the helm of a grill. Any advice he has would be a good thing for me to pay attention to.

And I certainly wouldn’t want to ruin a perfectly beautiful filet mignon! That would be a crime.

Check out the video here and get the perfect filet to grill while you’re at it!

Happy grilling, everybody!

THIS is where it’s at.

Or so I’ve heard.

You see, I haven’t actually had the pleasure of immersing myself in a Kobe steak yet.

I think it’s because I get stuck in my ways. When I eat a steak I end up cooking my go-to cut.

And, I guess I just haven’t gotten around to trying Kobe. It’s just inertia, really.

I’ve heard such amazing things about it you’d think I would have rushed out and tried it.

I’ve heard about its incredible marbling, flavor and tenderness. This photo is of boneless ribeye. Mmmm.

I should treat myself. Okay, I will. Yeah, thanks for the encouragement!

I WILL!!!

Have YOU tried it? If you have, is it the only steak you’ll eat now?

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

You love steaks. Chances are your Pops loves steaks. Or any Pops in your life, really – husband, uncle, grandpa . . .

Well, Father’s Day is coming up (and soon!) so why not enter to win a pretty cool “SweepSteaks” prize?

I give you the Ultimate Father’s Day Grilling “SweepSteaks” – chock full of grilling goodness.

Click here to read how to enter to win things like a Uniflame propane grill, Blue Rhino propane for a year, tableware from Oneida.com and a $650 gift certificate for sizzling steaks from the Kansas City Steak Company.

$650 worth of steaks! Do you know what I could do with that?

On second thought, Dad might forget about that unfortunate incident with the car when I was 16 for $650 worth of steaks. I’m not above a distraction tactic. And, oh yeah, it’s a chance to show him I love him and all.

Happy entering, everyone! And happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Spiral sliced ham.  Twice baked potatoes. Dessert!

If those words are music to your ears, here’s your chance to indulge your taste buds with the ultimate Easter dinner.

The Kansas City Steak Company is giving away five (5) Easter dinner packages with a 7-8 lb. ham as the star of the show.

Just think, all the mouth-watering goodness of a first-class holiday meal without all the fuss!

Where do I sign up?

Well, here’s how to enter:

1)   Sign up at KansasCitySteaks.com or the Kansas City Steak Company Facebook page (one entry per person, per week).

2)   Get additional entries by spreading the word.  Tell your friends, family, co-workers, mailman about the launch of the Kansas City Steak Company Easter Dinner Giveaway via Twitter, Facebook and/or a blog post.   You can only use each way once, but go ahead – use each option for multiple chances to win!

3)   Come back and leave a comment.  Include the link to your Tweet, Facebook or blog post about the Easter Dinner Giveaway.

Need some inspiration?  Here’s a suggested Tweet/update (but feel free to add your own personal touch to it):

KansasCitySteaks.com is giving away 5 yummy Easter Dinner Packages! Enter to win: www.kansascitysteaks.com/contest-contest

But don’t wait too long – this Easter Dinner Giveaway is only through April, 13, 2011!  Check out the official rules here.

If you’re here, you love a good steak.

But we all have our own ideas about what makes a steak great. I like a ribeye, thinly cut, medium well with Teriyaki sauce. Don’t judge.

Some people like A-1 sauce on a thick, very pink Kansas City strip.

I don’t mock them – just like I hope they don’t mock me. There’s room for all of us, right?

Check out this list of “Top 10 Steak Recipes.” This list includes greatness like herb-crusted filet mignon, carne asada and marinated London Broil. My mouth is watering right now.

Now, I’m not sure what qualifies these particular ones as THE top 10, but it’s a good place to start.

And if you want really good meat, get it here.

What are YOUR top 10 steak recipe favorites???

With the Super Bowl looming near, I thought you of all people would like to know about a Big-Game-themed contest where you can win a $500 gift certificate for . . . wait for it, wait for it . . . steak!

The Kansas City Steak Company is hosting the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Contest. Tell them your best Super Bowl party stories and you could win $500 in products from their amazing selections of steaks, beef tips, roasts, etc., etc., etc.!

That way, you can truly host the Ultimate Super Bowl party!

The contest runs until Jan. 23rd and the winner will be announced on Jan. 26th to give you time to redeem that cashola for treats and eats for your ultimate party.

Click here for more details and to enter this cra-za-zay contest. Dig deep and tell them why YOU are the ultimate Super Bowl fan and you could win. Lucky duck.

Photo courtesy of Greenzer.com.

So, this stuff is truly high quality. It’s for serious, serious beef lovers. Luckily, that’s me!

And YOU – if you’re reading this! *wink*

The story goes that there is a specific line of Wagyu cattle bred in Kobe, Japan, that is out-of-this-world tender. There are all sorts of stories (possibly tall tales) about them being brushed several times a day by their handlers and being fed a fine quality beer daily.

I don’t know about all that, but I do know that this beef has been a delicacy for many, many years. Someone was bright enough to bring some of the line over to the U.S. to breed it here. And the rest was history.

My fave place, Kansas City Steak Company, now has this Wagyu American Kobe beef so now I can enjoy it at home rather than some steak joint where they won’t have my Teriyaki sauce.

Hey, that’s the way I like it and it’s my house.

I cannot wait to get my hands on a Kobe ribeye. The intense marbling is what makes these steaks so tender and flavorful. Really, a higher stratosphere of quality. Just what a steak lover is always looking for.

You can click here to see their selection and try some for yourself. Take pictures and let me know how your experience is!

And if you’re in the giving mood this holiday season, these babies make quite an impressive gift.

My mouth is watering now just thinking about it . . .

You know you want it.

It’s calling out to you.

“It’s the weekend,” the steak says. “You can’t get through it without me.”

“But it’s cold outside and it’s November and I’m tired and football will be on,” you say.

“Exactly,” says the steak. “You need me. Just put me in the broiler. Piece of cake.”

“All right,” you say. “But if you’re high maintenance, so help me…”

“You won’t regret it. Seriously,” steak says. “Have I ever steered you wrong?”

As if in a trance, you walk to the freezer to defrost some strip steaks.

Now that the steak has convinced you to give it a try and you’ve gotten over the fact that you just had a conversation with a steak and it used the word “steer,” you might need some instructions.

Here’s an amazing recipe for broiled steak with garlic and mustard. Mmmmmm.

It calls for Kansas City strips, so give your taste buds a Kansas City treat this weekend.

Photo courtesy of Food52.com.

She spends all day running four Kansas City haunted houses — making sure the ghouls are grotesque enough, the props are bloody enough and visitors will be sufficiently frightened.

But all Sherri Petz really wants is a great home-cooked meal. And she knows just what she wants.

Soups, stroganoffs and stews are on the menu this time of year and Sherri’s meals always get rave reviews.

Want to try a Spooky Stroganoff? Click here for Sherri’s recipe and other ghoulishly delicious dishes from her haunted kitchen. And try using this beef next time – it’s to die for!

No snakes or eyeballs necessary. Unless you really want to add them, that is.

Have a wonderful, safe and appetite-satisfying Halloween!

Photo courtesy of KansasCity.com.

Okay, this is so cool. Technology absolutely rocks.

The Kansas City Steak Company now has a free iPhone app that lets you select your favorite cut of meat (you know, T-bone, filet mignon, etc.), choose a thickness and how well done you’d like your steak and then the app’s timer will tell you how long to cook it and when to flip it.

Genius.

Besides that, it has tons of recipes, grilling tips and a steak reference library. How awesome is that?

Go here, check it out, then download the app on your phone and have fun playing with it. It’s free and it’s my new obsession. 

Let me know what you think. I’m dying to know if you try it out this Labor Day weekend!!

‘Twas the night before Christmas . . . and we were starving.

Can you guess — in a house full of carnivores — what we ate?

Wait for it.

Yes, my friends, steak.

Like many other families across this great land, we decided to dine on a Christmas Eve meal of strip steaks, baked potatoes, and all the wine related people can indulge in without looking like we have some problems we need to talk about.

We prefer to keep it light around the holidays. No talk of the sagging economy, world destruction or personal issues. Just Santa, anything positive and the kids in our lives.

This Christmas we found ourselves with a lot to be thankful for — despite what the news shows have been telling us. And the steak? Well, the steak set the tone for a Christmas Eve full of corny holiday classics, thick anticipation and pure excitement.

We decided to try a new seasoning this time. It was Christmas Eve, so we thought, What the heck, let’s go for it.

This steak seasoning, made by SuckleBusters, was just the right amount of spicy hot and flavorful.

We put it on the steaks before my hubby braved the Blizzard of ’09 and ventured outside to grill the steaks IN THE SNOW.

As he said, “You gotta want it.”

And we did.

That is real, actual, honest-to-goodness snow coming down behind the grill there.

Sure, we could have pan fried them inside or put them on the George Foreman in the comfort of our warm kitchen. But what would be the fun in that?

The kids wrote their names in the snow on the patio table while Dad flipped the steaks sans gloves. It was all part of his “get tough” theme for the evening. Very Christmasy.

But, I gotta tell you, this Christmas Eve was one to remember for us. Family with only a minimum of dysfunctional issues, great steaks from my favorite place, a new seasoning and the Christmas night countdown. What could be better than that?

I hope your holidays were just as special!