I like great quality meat. But I like a good bargain, too. And I have to start planning for Labor Day now. It will sneak up on me.

So this Labor Day holiday I’m going to stock up on some of our neighborhood favorites – because inevitably, the neighborhood ends up in our back yard.

I really love that because I like being in control. I’m neurotic that way. We have burgers, steaks and chicken. Everyone’s happy.

We eat the food I like, listen to the music I enjoy – you get the picture. So why wouldn’t I want the festivities at my house? What’s a few crumbs on the counter among friends when I can make sure I have Teriyaki sauce for my ribeye? See how that works?

I’m looking forward to Labor Day because it’s that last grasp at a summer feeling. People are off work, it’s still warm out where we live and folks are in the mood to have fun. I like that.

So come on, Labor Day! I’m ready for ya!

I’m just not ready for you to be over.

Photo courtesy of Kansas City Steak Company.

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Oh, the joy of something new!

It would never occur to me to pour a tangy tomato sauce over a steak. My mind doesn’t work that way.

But why doesn’t it? Why must I live in a tiny little box where steaks are one way and tomato sauce is reserved only for pasta?

This video shows us how to expand our mind – Sicilian style.

And THIS is the recipe to follow when you want to try this at home!

Recipe: Steak Sicilian-style

Dominique Rizzo

Ingredients

• 100 ml extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 × 150 g sirloin steaks
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 stalk (40g) of celery, finely chopped
• 40 g split green olives, pitted and sliced
• 1/2 red capsicum, seeded and cut into 1-cm cubes
• 1 × 400g tin peeled tomatoes, diced
• 15 g capers in brine, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Crusty bread and green salad, to serve

Preparation

Serving Size

Well, it seems like it sometimes.

See, we’re on vacation. And we’ve made it a rule to not eat out as much as possible on vacation.

We have kids under age 10 and all the “family-oriented” places around here are, well, deep-fried disappointment.

Ugh.

Plus, there are lines and waiting and complaining.

That’s not much of a vacation.

So we opt to cook our favorites at our home away from home.

And these steakburgers? Well, they were heaven.

As soon as we began cooking, the place where we’re staying filled quickly with the amazing aroma of grilled beef and we all could hardly contain our appetites until the sweet relief of a plate on the table.

No lines, no gum-chewing waitress, no bill, no TIPPING.

Just my food exactly the way I like it with incredible smoky bacon and ooey, gooey cheese.

You tell me heaven isn’t like that. I dare ya!