Steak Enthusiast

Niki Plourde
Gardner, MA

Sweet and Spicy Steak Rub

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup freshly ground coffee
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Combine brown sugar with all the spices.  Rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of steaks.  Grill steaks until desired doneness.

Candace McMenamin
Lexington, SC

Chili-Cinnamon Southwestern Grilled Steak

Ingredients:
4 (10oz.) Kansas City Strip Steaks

Rub:
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Garnish:  Cilantro sprigs

Directions:
Prepare grill for medium-hot direct cooking.  In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cinnamon, cocoa, salt, and oregano.  Sprinkle on both sides of steak.  Place on grill and cook 5-8 minutes per side or to desired degree of doneness.  Remove from grill and garnish with cilantro if desired. 

Yield: 4 servings

Sally Sibthorpe
Shelby Township, MI

Ingredients:
2 small frozen lobster tails (4-6 ounces each), thawed
1 cup water
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 rib celery, quartered
3 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, minced
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup whipping cream, at room temperature
2 steaks, cooked to your preference

Directions:
Rinse lobster tails.  In a medium sized saucepan,
combine water, wine, and celery.  Bring to a boil,
then add the lobster tails.  Turn heat down to low,
and simmer for 8 minutes.  Remove lobsters with a slotted
spoon, and rinse in cool water (reserve the poaching liquid). 
Remove lobster meat from shells, and cut into bite-sized chunks. 

In skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add shallot and
garlic, and saute until softened, about 3 minutes.  Sprinkle
mixture with flour and saute for 3 minutes more.  Strain the
poaching liquid, and whisk it into the skillet mixture.  Stir
until slightly thickened.  Add salt and whipping cream to sauce,
then stir in lobster.  Spoon sauce over steaks, and serve.