At our little castle in the sand over the holidays we were very spoiled by the food.

Great meals just kept on coming.

One night we enjoyed bacon-wrapped filets with oven-baked potatoes and veggies.

Most of us in the house were in at the word “bacon.”  But, then, we were treated to buttery-tender filets that were to-die-for.

There was, however, a word of warning on the box that I must show you . . .

The Kansas City Steak Company totally had our number. They knew they were dealing with pigs who would just dive right in — pin and all. Thanks, guys! You saved us an emergency trip to the dentist in a state none of us live in. Appreciate ya.

To start the meal, first, Sandy pan-seared the filets after sprinkling each filet with the seasoning that came with the steaks.

She also cooked the bacon a bit and re-wrapped them. You can see them above being placed on aluminum foil and then sent out to the grill to be manned by the cutest griller around. (Okay, it was my husband.)

Why the foil? Because we don’t trust other people’s grills. Remember, this was a rented house. Plus, that grill had seen better days and we weren’t taking any chances with this meat.

Some in our group like their filets pretty well-done and not so thick. So we simply cut one in half so we had two filets that were half as thick. Voila!

While those were grilling we worked on the sides. We made oven-baked potatoes that were quickly cooked in olive oil, salt and pepper in a skillet and then baked in the oven.

Here is the final product (after the pins were removed). This baby didn’t last long after the picture was taken.

By the way, this was our Christmas Eve dinner. A special and exciting night for us all. Can you imagine a better meal?

Well, wait ’til you see what else we cooked that week . . .

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My son is in first grade and his class has been studying different holidays people celebrate around this time of year.

I’ve enjoyed learning along with him about the ways people come together and celebrate.

I’ve zeroed in on Kwanzaa because, well, it’s really cool. Here’s a little background info from ChefMom.com:

Kwanzaa, celebrated by some African Americans, is a holiday which has gained in popularity in recent years. It came out of the ’60s cultural revolution that set off an interest in African history, music, art and a growing sense of black consciousness.

Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest,” is celebrated for seven days from December 26 through January 1. It is a cultural, rather than religious, holiday. Each day is celebrated, generally by a gathering of family and friends. Participants discuss and commit to seven guiding principles, one each day. A candle is lighted each day. The first day starts with a black candle – it represents African American people in unity. The next six days alternate between lighting a red candle, representing struggle, and a green candle, representing a “green future.” A feast is held on December 31 for sharing, remembering, reassessing and rejoicing. ~Bev Whitfield and Kathleen Wilson

Now, we celebrate Christmas at our house but I’m loving learning the cool things others do at their houses.

And naturally, ’cause I like to eat, I wanted to know just what they eat at this feast. So, here’s a Kwanzaa recipe we ALL can celebrate!

Moroccan-Rubbed Grilled Steak and Sweet Potatoes

From EatingWell Magazine April/May 2006

A Moroccan-inspired spice rub coats the steaks and is tossed with the sweet potatoes as well. The foil-packet cooking method for the sweet potatoes yields excellent results (and fewer dishes). Make it a Meal: Sautéed greens, such as arugula, kale or spinach, and a glass of Zinfandel round out the meal.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 25 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound strip steak, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 4 portions
2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound total), peeled and very thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, halved and very thinly sliced
4 teaspoons canola oil
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

1. Preheat grill to high.
2. Combine allspice, cumin, ginger, salt, cinnamon, coriander and cayenne
in a small bowl. Sprinkle steaks with 4 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mixture. Toss sweet potatoes and onion with canola oil, orange zest and the remaining spice mixture.
3. To make a packet, lay 2 24-inch sheets of foil on top of each other (the double layers will help protect the ingredients from burning); generously coat the top piece with cooking spray. Spread half of the sweet potato mixture in the center of the foil in a thin layer. Bring the short ends of foil together, fold over and pinch to seal. Pinch the seams together along the sides to seal the packet. Repeat with two more sheets of foil and the remaining sweet potato mixture.
4. Place the packets on the hottest part of the grill and cook, switching the packets’ positions on the grill halfway through cooking, 5 minutes per side. Place the steaks in the front or back and cook, turning once, about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to plates and let rest while the packets finish cooking. Open the packets (be careful of steam) and serve alongside the steaks.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 337 calories; 18 g fat (6 g sat, 8 g mono); 69 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 22 g protein; 3 g fiber; 347 mg sodium; 480 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (220% daily value), Zinc (26% dv), Vitamin C (20% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 starch, 3 medium-fat meats, 1 fat

Recipe and photo courtesy of EatingWell.com.

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Sandy mentioned previously a delicious side that would complement a Chateaubriand or, really, any beef entree.

I love an alternative to my usual potato sides. This recipe for Dauphinoise Potatoes is not only tasty, but truly gorgeous. Here is what it looks like when Sandy prepares it . . .

Yeah. Spectacular.

You can brush up on your gratin family of potatoes history here. In the meantime, here are Sandy’s step-by-step instructions so we can be JUST LIKE HER . . .

Recipe for Dauphinoise Potatoes:

1 pint heavy cream or half and half
garlic, herbs or flavoring as desired
kosher salt and pepper
6 medium baking potatoes, peeled
2 Tablespoons Butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Bring cream or half and half to a simmer in a medium saucepan, adding whole peeled and smashed garlic cloves (2 for subtle garlic flavor), herbs such as thyme or rosemary sprigs to flavor the liquid.  When the cream develops small bubbles on the rim of the saucepan remove from heat and set aside until potatoes are prepared. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and several grinds fresh pepper.  Taste the mixture for seasoning.  It should be slightly saltier than you would eat straight (potatoes absorb lots of salt). 

With 1 tablespoon of softened butter, grease the potato baking pan(s) generously.  Wash, peel and thinly slice potatoes, preferably using a mandolin-type slicer with a sharp blade.  1/8 in slices are ideal and easy to do with a slicer.  Slice potatoes directly into baking dish.  I used a loaf pan but any pan which will allow the potaoes to cook in a deep layer (ie lots of head room) will work.  Individual tart pans can be used to bake and serve directly.  Toss the raw potatoes with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt and some pepper.  Strain the liquid or just remove herbs and garlic.  Add to baking dish, you will probably not need all of the liquid, depending on the size of potatoes, the baking dish and how much reduction of liquid took place.  Potatoes should be nearly covered, but not swimming in cream.

Use plastic wrap to push the potatoes down into the liquid.  Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the potatoes.  Cover pan and plastic wrap with foil and weight the potaoes down with a slighly smaller pan filled with hot water.  Place the baking dish in the oven for 40 minutes.  Carefully remove the water filled pan, the foil and the plastic wrap and continue to bake until the potaoes are tender and the liquid is nearly absorbed.  Some thickened liquid will remain.

If you are serving immediately, place the pan under the broiler and cook until potatoes are golden.

If you are preparing this dish ahead, cover and let cool in refrigerator.  When totally cool, potatoes may be turned out of baking dish onto cutting board and cut with a sharp heavy knife into serving sizes.  Place on well buttered baking pan.  To reheat, place in 450 degree oven until browned and hot throughout.  Serve immediately.

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I love the thought of “old-fashioned” anything because it brings back a time in my mind when people didn’t worry about fat grams or carbs or any of that stuff.

The question simply was, “Does it taste good?”

Try these with your next steak or steakburger meal and let me know the answer!

old-fashioned steak fries
an original recipe by rachelle

4 baking potatoes, scrubbed well
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

preheat oven to 450 degrees. halve potatoes lengthwise and then cut into steak fry sized slices. leave those skins on! if you’ve got mahusive potatoes, you may halve them again. but i like the idea of a mahusive fry. toss the potatoes in a ziptop bag and dump in the oil, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. smoosh it all together and dump out on a cookie sheet. roast for 25 minutes: roast ten minutes, turn over the fries and bake about fifteen minutes more.

Recipe and photo courtesy of foodbuzz.com

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Say you’re looking to serve something other than potatoes with your juicy, tender steak tonight. Then, say you’re up for something quite different than your ordinary fare.

This just might be what you’re looking for. It’s fresh. It’s peachy. It’s cheesy.

Try it!

Italian Grilled Peaches
Serves 4

2/3 cup good-quality balsamic vinegar
3 T sugar
2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 large peaches, unpeeled, halved and pitted
2 to 3 oz Gorgonzola or blue cheese, crumbled
2 T mascarpone cheese, for garnish

In a small, non-reactive saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar, sugar and pepper, and simmer until reduced by half and thick enough to use as a glaze.  Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat grill to medium-high, 350º to 400º.  Place peach halves on the grill, cut side down, and grill 5 minutes, or until flesh is slightly charred. Brush the rounded tops of the peaches with the glaze, and cook 1 to 2 minutes.  Flip peaches, brush the cut sides with glaze and grill an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer peaches to 4 individual serving dishes, and spoon any remaining glaze over the tops. Sprinkle each serving with an equal amount of Gorgonzola and place a small dollop of mascarpone on the side.

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. . . a side salad that is the perfect complement to a prime rib roast, steaks — or just about any dish.

Enjoy!! And have a great weekend! Eat outside while you still can . . .

Greens and Berry Salad
Serves 4-6

1  (8 oz) pkg. mixed greens (about 8 cups)
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
2   ¼” thick slices red onion, separated into rings
1 cup fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries
1  (2 oz) pkg slivered almonds, toasted
¼ cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
1 tsp Dijon-style mustard

In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, blue cheese, onion, raspberries and almonds.  In a small bowl, whisk together the salad dressing and mustard. Pour dressing over the salad and toss well.

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Here’s the scenario:  You’ve grilled up a beautiful T-bone. It’s cooked just right — it’s juicy in all the right places, it’s seared in all the right places and the grill marks are outta sight.

What could possibly be good enough complement that? Or (gasp!) to sit on the same plate?

You’d better have a killer side, baby. That’s all I’ve got to say.

Psst. Yeah, you. Come here . . . closer . . .

Closer.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret.

Try this . . .
Avocado Salad with Lemon and Olive Oil
Serves 6

2 cups finely chopped onion
¾ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
3 T finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
3 T extra virgin olive oil
3 T white wine vinegar
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¾ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 large garlic clove, minced
1½ cups chopped peeled avocado (about 2)
1 (8 oz) pkg. mixed greens (about 8 cups)
1½ cups grape tomatoes
2 T chopped fresh cilantro, optional
¼ tsp hot pepper sauce, optional

Combine first 10 ingredients in a large bowl; toss mixture gently. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours. Stir in avocado just before serving. Divide greens and tomatoes among 6 salad plates. Top greens with avocado mixture and garnish with cilantro if desired.

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