Seriously, how did it get to be . . . August????

What happened to all the projects and things I was going to check off my list this summer?

Organize home office?

Nope.

Clean out guest bedroom closet that is filled with clothes that haven’t seen the light of day THIS DECADE?

Uh, no.

I guess I’m just living in the moment. Sure, that’s what we’ll call it. And I’m enjoying these summer days with my kids — when they aren’t drilling holes in the side of my skull with incessant Star Wars noises and samurai sword sounds.

But one thing we have done this summer is get outside and enjoy really good food. We haven’t let the sunny days go to waste. And I’m feeling a sense of urgency to milk all I can out of what’s left.

I know I’ll blink and it’ll be November!

So here’s to the home stretch of summer. May your days be filled with the rich smells of a grilling steak and those soft, sizzling sounds that accompany it.

The bags of old clothes and unrecycled catalogs can wait. We’ve got some cooking to do!!!

Photo courtesy of craveonline.com.

THIS is way fun! A steak sub is a great way to combine all the flavors you love — just the way you like them.

Want cheese? Add it!

Want mayo? Spread it on!

Want a tomato? Put it in there!

The possibilities with a steak sub are endless. You can even change up the type of bread you use.

Here’s a recipe to get you started, but customize it to your liking — and have fun!!!

Summer Steak Subs

Ingredients

• 2 sub rolls or mini baguettes
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise or horseradish sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely sliced
• 1 red pepper , deseeded and finely sliced
• 2 thin frying steaks
• 2 slices gruyère cheese

1. Split the rolls down the middle, spread with the mayonnaise or horseradish, then set aside. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan and fry onions and peppers together for 5-10 mins until soft and beginning to color, then spoon into the rolls.
2. Heat remaining oil in the same pan, season the steaks and cook for 1 min until browned. Flip steaks over, top with the cheese and continue to cook until the steak is cooked to your liking and the cheese has melted. Lift the steaks into the rolls and tuck in.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, June 2006.

Thanks to BBCGoodFood.com for the photo and recipe.

This meal looks so, so gorgeous, it’s almost too good to eat.

All right, it’s NEVER too good to eat. I can always bring myself to eat it.

But these steak tacos are be-uu-ti-ful . . .

Here’s the brilliant recipe created by The Healthy Irishman (he’s my new BFF even though we’ve never spoken, written or laid eyes on each other — it’s just something spiritual, steaky even.)

SIZZLING SUMMER STEAK TACOS

RECIPE:
Serves 4
1 lb flank steak
1 red pepper – sautéed
8 corn tortillas (2 per serving)

STEAK MARINADE:
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1 lime – zested
¼ cup olive oil
2 tsp salt
Mix marinade ingredients together and rub into steak. Marinate covered in the fridge from 4 hours to over-night.

AVOCADO SALSA:
1 large avocado – diced
1 Roma tomato – diced
1 tbsp fresh cilantro – chopped
squeeze fresh lime juice
S&P to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat your grill on high.
Remove steak from fridge 30 minutes before grilling to let meat return to room temp.
Once grill is hot, cook steak for 3-5 minutes each side for medium-rare to medium.
NOTE: Very important to let the cooked meat rest for 10 minutes after grilling before carving. This lets the juices redistribute evenly back into the meat and not all over your cutting board.
While the meat is resting, mix all the salsa ingredients together and refrigerate.
TIP: When carving, slice thinly on the bias against the grain. (The grain being the lines you will see on the meat) Always cut across these otherwise the meat will taste chewy!

To assemble: place some sliced steak in each warmed tortillas along with some red pepper and finish with a nice dollop of the avocado salsa.

Thanks to TheHealthyIrishman.com for the photo and recipe.