Oh, how I love special days that allow me to focus on food! Beef, in particular.

As you know, I’m kind of obsessed.

So, the fact that Cinco de Mayo is coming up gives me great joy. I can dream up all kinds of beefy delights for that day.

AND, it’s my son’s birthday! We always get to celebrate doubly in spicy style!

The fifth of May, 1862, is when the Mexican army was victorious over the French in the Battle of Puebla and now it’s become a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.

So in honor of Cinco de Mayo I give you cinco recipes you can use to celebrate, too!

UNO:  Delicious, nutritious steak fajitas (above). I mean, who doesn’t love steak fajitas? This recipe calls for Kansas City strip steaks sliced up good!

DOS:  Cumin marinated flank steak. A special twist to give your flank steak some zing!

TRES:  Carne asada. A classic.

CUATRO:  Flat iron steak tacos. I love the heartiness of the flat iron beef. Yum!

CINCO:  Flavorful, colorful pico burgers. Try ’em and this may just become your go-to burger from now on. Use Wagyu Kobe beef and you’ll be hooked!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Steak. My favorite. And now that a new year is here it’s the perfect time to try new and different things with my old favorite.

So how about trying these 14 ways to eat steak in 2014?

Some you may have seen before, but some may be completely new. Let’s branch out! Discover new ways of enjoying something.

I’m game. Are you?

Here are my 14 Ways to Eat Steak in ’14:

1) Steak Soup

2) This recipe for Thai Beef Salad

Thai Beef Salad

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Celery, ¼ inch bias cut     2 stalks

Carrots, Julienned            2

Green onions, cut on the bias

                                    1 bunch

Asian BBQ flank steak     1 lb

Fresh basil, chiffonade      12 leaves

Cilantro, minced             ½ bunch

Olive oil                                    ¼ C

Rice vinegar                   ¼ C

Jalapeno, minced             ½

Brown Sugar                  2 T

Garlic, Minced                1 T

Sambal                          2 T

Method:

1. Cook the flank steak to medium rare, or desired doneness, and chill.

2. Thinly slice the beef, against the grain, and combine with the rest of the ingredients.

3) Steak and Veggie Kabobs

4) Steakburgers – any way you choose, with Swiss cheese, Vidalia onions, avocado – you name it!

5) Steak Tartare. What? You wanted to try something new and daring, right?

6) Steak Sandwiches – so good with leftover steak, too!

7) Wagyu Kobe Beef Steaks – if you haven’t tried them, now’s the time!

8-14) Try these recipes for everything from Rosemary-Crusted Porterhouse to Rolled, Stuffed Steak

Enjoy this little adventure in steak eating for 2014. I know I will!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

It’s the holiday season and food is central to all the joyful gatherings at this time of year. That makes it the perfect time to try 12 new steak recipes in the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas!

Here’s one I know will knock some socks off:

Japanese Flat Iron with White Soy and Ginger sauce

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Asian BBQ Flank steaks               4

Togarashi* spice mix                   3 T

Sauce:

Lime juice                                  1/3 C.

Ginger, peeled and minced                        2 T

White Soy                                 2 T

Garlic, minced                            2 t

Brown Sugar                              1 t

Dijon Mustard                            1 T

Canola Oil                                 3 T

Method:

1.  Sprinkle steaks With Togarashi spice mix, and sprinkle with salt. Grill or sear in a pan until desired doneness is achieved.

2. While the steaks are resting combine the lime juice, ginger, soy, garlic, brown sugar, and Dijon in a blender, or combine with a whisk. While the blender is blending or you are whisking slowly add in oil until sauce is emulsified.

3. Slice beef and served drizzled with white soy ginger sauce.

*Togarashi is a Japanese spice mix, and can usually be found in the Japanese or Asian section of the grocery store or a Japanese market.

And here’s another:

Flat Iron Steaks with Herbed Butter

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Butter                                        4 oz

Fresh Parsley, chopped                 1 T

Lemon Juice                               1 T

Fresh thyme, chopped                  1 t

Flat Iron steaks,  6oz                    4

Butter                                        2 T

Vegetable oil,                             2 T

Shallots, minced                         2 T

Salt and pepper               as needed

Method:

1. In a mixer combine butter, parsley, lemon juice, and thyme. Mix until well combined. Roll up in a piece of waxed paper, and place in the fridge to harden.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

3. In a preheated skillet, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan, and then add the 2 T of butter. 

4. Just when you see the first wisps of smoke, add the steaks to the pan, making sure to not overcrowd the pan. When the steak is properly seared flip and let sear for one more minute.

5. Add the shallots to the pan, and then put the pan in the oven. When the steaks are cooked to their desired temperature, pull them out and put them on a plate to rest, while they are resting. Divide the herbed butter into 4 and place one piece on tope of each steak. Serve after 5 minutes of resting.

I mean, how much more YUM can it get? Visit here for another 10 steak recipes that you like (that equals 12 folks). These steaks are sure to bring smiles this holiday season.

Happy gatherings, everybody!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.