Is that not a gorgeous cut of beef?

Oh, the colors! The marbling! The thickness!

But all steaks are not created equal. Just because a steak is a steak does not mean it’s a GREAT steak.

Our friend-in-beef Greg Henry over at SippitySup.com gives us a nice, solid primer on what makes a tasty steak — and what does not.

Oh, and that photo you see here? It’s his. I’m jealous because that means he probably got to eat it after he took the picture.

And since he loves us so much, he gives us his recipe for Pan-Seared Ribeye with Glazed Shallots.

My mouth is watering.

Just go here to check it all out!

Photo courtesy of SippitySup.com.

Cold weather brings out the snugglebunny in me. And a must is warm food to take the chill off.

Isn’t this steak sandwich/tomato soup combo to die for?

Winter weather means lots of homemade meals and sharing good food with people you love.

Oh, and it means lots and lots of leftovers. This sandwich makes great use of your steaky leftovers — and creates a whole new meal!

Grilled Steak Sandwich

2 tsps vegetable oil

1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin

salt to taste (optional)

2 slices bread, buttered on one side (I like the sourdough)

1-2 slices cheese (I like the Swiss)

leftover steak, sliced thin

In a medium sauté pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent and golden (about 5-10 minutes depending on the heat and how impatient you are). Add a little salt if desired. Remove from heat and set aside. You can either use the same pan (cleared of onions) or another flat-bottomed pan and place a slice of bread, buttered-side down on medium heat. Layer the cheese evenly on the non-buttered side of the bread. Then layer the steak over the cheese. Top with onions and set the second slice of bread non-buttered side down on the sandwich. The cheese will begin to melt in a few minutes. Watch that the base bread doesn’t burn during the cheese-melting phase. When the bread is crisp and golden, flip the sandwich to brown the other side and then serve. Makes one great sandwich.

Photo and recipe courtesy of UseRealButter.com.

I truly love Salisbury Steak. The rich flavor of the gravy gets me every time.

But the ONE TIME I tried to make it (early in my marriage) was a disaster. Read about it here. We STILL talk about it 11 years later.

But it hasn’t soured me on the meal altogether. I just need a new recipe.

Or someone else to cook it.

So today we’re in luck because here is a fantastic recipe for Salisbury Steak and the photos were taken after someone else cooked it. Hooray!

Ingredients:

Salisbury steak-

1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup minced onions
¼ cup cracker crumbs (or bread crumbs)
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1 ½ tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3-4 tablespoons butter

Gravy-

1 onion (sliced into rings)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 tablespoons flour
¼ cup dry red wine
Parmesan Cheese (for garnish)
Minced parsley (for garnish)

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Combine ground beef, minced onions, cracker or bread crumbs, egg, horseradish, and salt and pepper. Shape into oval patties.

Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Cook patties until they are no longer pink inside, about 7-8 minutes on each side. Remove from pan.  (Or if you want, you can grill them.)

Step 3: Add onions and sugar to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Sauté for 60 seconds or until paste is browned. Sprinkle the onions with flour and cook for 60 seconds. Stir in beef broth, wine, salt and thyme. Return your patties to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Serve patties on top of cheese toast and top with sauce, onions, fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.

Photo and recipe courtesy of BlogChef.net.