Need something to really warm you up this time of year?

A good homemade soup will do the trick!

I like to make mine with different cuts of steak. Sirloin steak is especially good and holds up well in soup. And beef tenderloin tips are the perfect size for adding bite-sized bits of goodness to your creation.

This homemade soup recipe is exactly what I need right now.

Beef and Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. package Beef Tenderloin Tips
2 onions, minced
4 cups fresh mushrooms, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 brandy or sherry
4 oz. dried shitake mushrooms
4 oz. dried morel mushrooms
3 cups, heavy cream
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
6 cups beef stock
salt and pepper

Servings: 8

Directions: Bring six cups of water to a boil and pour over dried mushrooms. Let stand ten minutes. Strain mushrooms, chop and reserve liquid. In a heavy bottomed stock pot, sauté Beef Tenderloin Tips in butter, remove and reserve. Add onions and sauté. Add fresh mushrooms and cook for five minutes. Add garlic and cook for three more minutes. Add flour and cook for five minutes. Deglaze pan with brandy. Add stock a little at a time and until soup becomes smooth. Add reserved mushroom liquid and reduce by half. Puree soup in a blender or with a stick blender. Add beef, cream and reconstituted mushrooms and season to taste.

This recipe uses beef tenderloin tips and just thinking about this soup makes my mouth water!

Treat yourself and your family to a tummy-warming homemade soup!

We all know that a beautiful Teriyaki sauce can be enhanced with pineapple to make for an unforgettable steak marinade.

BUT, did you know that pineapple enzymes are a great tenderizer for your steak?

It’s all due to a protein-digesting enzyme called bromelain found in pineapple. Bromelain breaks down the collagen or protein in your steaks – thus, creating a more tender piece of beef.

Read more about this fascinating scientific and culinary topic here.

Want to know how to cook a fantastic Teriyaki and pineapple steak marinade? Click here.

So many uses for the pineapple in your steak creations! Try them and enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Marlena’s Menu.

I like great quality meat. But I like a good bargain, too. And I have to start planning for Labor Day now. It will sneak up on me.

So this Labor Day holiday I’m going to stock up on some of our neighborhood favorites – because inevitably, the neighborhood ends up in our back yard.

I really love that because I like being in control. I’m neurotic that way. We have burgers, steaks and chicken. Everyone’s happy.

We eat the food I like, listen to the music I enjoy – you get the picture. So why wouldn’t I want the festivities at my house? What’s a few crumbs on the counter among friends when I can make sure I have Teriyaki sauce for my ribeye? See how that works?

I’m looking forward to Labor Day because it’s that last grasp at a summer feeling. People are off work, it’s still warm out where we live and folks are in the mood to have fun. I like that.

So come on, Labor Day! I’m ready for ya!

I’m just not ready for you to be over.

Photo courtesy of Kansas City Steak Company.