October 2nd, 2009

Steak With Raspberries, Figs and Blue Cheese

raspberry

This one sounds different.

I can honestly say I’ve never eaten raspberries and figs on my steak before. I just never thought about it.

But why not?

I love raspberries and figs give good flavor. Plus, blue cheese does wonders for steak. Why not combine them all?

You try it, too, and let me know what you think!

Steak with Raspberries, Figs and Blue Cheese 

1 cup red raspberries
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
8 large or 16 small figs, quartered
2 ounces ham, chopped
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 boneless ribeye or beef tenderloin steak, about 2 1/2 pounds total
Salt
6 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

Prepare a hot charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill on high, or preheat a broiler. Lightly oil the grill rack or broiler pan. 
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the raspberries, sugar and vinegar. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until reduced by half. Set aside. 
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the figs, ham, rosemary, garam masala, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the figs are very soft. Set aside and keep warm. 
Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper. Grill or broil the steaks for 12 minutes, turning once, or until a thermometer inserted in the center registers 145 degrees F for medium-rare.
Place each steak on a plate. Top with an equal amount cheese and cover with some of the fig mixture. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the raspberry sauce over all. Serve the remaining fig mixture on the side. 

Recipe courtesy of newsobserver.com.

Photo courtesy of greenopia.com.


September 25th, 2009

Dreamy Meatloaf

I was craving meatloaf.

I know, it sounds weird, maybe kind of twisted. And it’s SOOOO suburbia.

But I wanted meatloaf.

It’s been really cool outside here and meatloaf is the perfect warm-you-up dinner.

And my husband couldn’t agree more. Heck, he benefits when I have beef cravings.

dreamymeatloaf

I think I had been dreaming about it — which is why I made this picture look kind of dreamy around the edges. Like the meatloaf is floating on a cloud.

Who wouldn’t want to see meatloaf floating on a cloud?

All right, I saw some hands. If you raised your hand, you’re dismissed. The rest of us will discuss how I make my meatloaf.

I use ground beef with onions already in it. It’s scrumptious. Then, add a cup of Italian breadcrumbs, oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Mix in an egg to to help it form the loaf.

Lay bacon strips over the top of the loaf and bake at 350 degrees F for just under an hour.

Oh, the smell is heavenly. The onions, the bacon, the oregano. You can smell it all. FOR AN HOUR.

It’s almost torture.

But then, just when you think you can’t stand it any longer — it’s ready to eat.

It was a dreamy evening scarfing down dreamy meatloaf with my dreamy husband. It was almost like an episode of Mad Men, only without all the yucky stuff on Mad Men.

Hooray for meatloaf!


September 24th, 2009

Steak Stories: Julie and Julia? Meet Dena and . . .

. . . well, Dena.

It doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but it’s reality.

I saw the movie Julie and Julia and I found myself really, really hungry the whole way through it. The cooking and the recipes and the talking about food nearly put me over the edge.

My tub o’ popcorn just wasn’t doing it.

So I decided I’m going to be more adventurous and work my way through a rockin’ cookbook I have — Julie and Julia-style.

cookbook2

That’s the cookbook. Inside are gems like Steak Teriyaki, “Poor Man” Steak, Fuzzy Navel Steak, Sunday Night Steak, plus pork, seafood and chicken recipes, too. And sides. Lots of sides.

I HAVE to experiment with these, if not just for the names.

Now, I’m a real person with kids, a husband and a job and stuff.  So . . . I don’t see myself working my way through the cookbook every night for a year like Julie did.

God bless her. I don’t have the stamina.

BUT, I’ll be cooking a bunch of these and I’ll share my photos and thoughts with you. Hint: the “Fuzzy Navel” one involves orange juice.

Cool!

Have YOU ever done what Julie in the movie did? How did you survive it? And are you better for it?

Let me know — and happy cooking!


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