I took my boxes of top sirloin and lobster tails out of the freezer.

This is what they looked like when I opened them up. . . 

Vacuum-packed for freshness. I can feel my mouth watering already. Not yet, Dena. Not yet. You’re not a lion. These have to be cooked. (And thawed first.)

I spread these out so that they can thaw thoroughly. In a few hours the steaks will be ready for a marinade or rub. I still haven’t decided.

I’m ready to take in the intoxicating smells of warm lobster tails mixed with the distinct aroma of freshly-grilled steaks.

My Valentine will be so impressed. And pleased, I hope. Lobster is a treat in our part of the country.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you! May your day be filled with lots of love and great food!

All right, enough with the corny stuff. . .

What’s not to love about a recipe that mixes margaritas, GARLIC and steak? My friends, I cannot think of a thing.

So try this one the next time you’re feeling spicy!

From Loanne in Texas
Margaritas Chipotle Steak with Grilled Avocadoes
Enough for 2 lbs. Sirloin or London Broil Steak

Ingredients for Marinade:
¼ C. Soy Sauce
¼ C. Frozen Concentrated Margarita Mix, thawed
2 T. Tequila
1 T. Grated Garlic Cloves
1 tsp. Ground Chipotle Pepper

8 Dinner flour tortillas
4 Large Hass avocadoes

Mix all ingredients for marinade.  Marinate steaks in this mixture for 30 – 45 minutes. 

Grill steak just 5 – 7 minutes per side or to desired doneness. 

Let rest, then slice into thin slices, against the grain. 

Warm tortillas on periphery of grill. 

Cut avocadoes in half and remove pit, but don’t peel. 

Brush avocado with oil and place cut side down on grill until barbecue marks appear. 

Scoop out avocado flesh and divide over tortillas. 

Divide steak slices over tortillas and wrap with avocado into a cone. 

Eat warm.

This is the story of two newlyweds. Like many recently-married ladies, this gal was excited to try new recipes for her husband.

One day, the new wife found a recipe for Salisbury Steak in a magazine. 

“This’ll be great!” she thought.

The next evening after work, she hurried home with all the ingredients for a wonderful, home-cooked meal.

Little did she know she was about to create a “meal” that would go down in family lore as “the grossest thing ever. . . ”

Okay, so the wife was me.

And I hadn’t quite perfected the art of paring down a recipe for six into a meal for two.

The beef looked like a puffer fish because there were way too many eggs and bread crumbs for the amount of meat.

And the onions I used were not “finely chopped.” They were more like something you might see contestants on “Survivor” eating.

But my husband was sweet about it . . . until he saw that I hated it, too. Then all bets were off.

Now, 10 years later, we still talk about that meal. During cold and flu season I’ll ask my husband how he’s feeling when he’s under the weather.  His answer?

“Like I just ate some Salisbury Steak.”

It’s taken on a new meaning in our house. But I prefer to think it brought us closer. Like one of those traumatic events you live through together and nothing seems that important anymore. Like in a hurricane, a tornado, floods, fires . . .

I’ve grown so much as a cook in 10 years. So I think a decade is enough time to break the spell of the Salisbury Steak. I’m ready to get back on that oniony saddle again, so to speak.

This time it’s personal.

So here’s a much better recipe for Salisbury Steak I found on www.cooks.com.

I know how to follow instructions now and I’m thinking I will use this ground beef so I won’t have to do my own onions at all. They’re already in the meat. 

Try it and see if you have great results you can share!