Monday, January 30, 2012

Finger Steaks and Onion Rings

I love finger steaks.  I have tried to make them in the past, and they weren't very good.  I had a hankerin', so I tried again yesterday.  We had a fried food festivus for dinner!  They turned out really good.  Even the leftovers I heated up today were great!  I don't know if you are like me with 1/2 a cow in my freezer wondering what to do with it all, but I am very happy to have one more use, besides BBQing them!  It's too cold right now for that.

Flank Steak or Sirlion Steak (I used one of each and we had leftovers) Use one without bones
2 Cups Buttermilk
1 egg
mix in a low dish
2 cups flour (may need more)
Approx 1 tsp Lowry's Season Salt (I mixed it in then tasted flour mix to make sure it had enough flavor)
1/2 tsp black pepper
Cayenne pepper to taste, if desired for a little heat
Mix in a gallon ziploc bag.
Slice steak 1/4 in thick across grain. (The key is to get them nice and thin, and don't go with the grain because they won't break apart easily when you bite into them). Dip in milk mixture then put in ziploc and shake.  Fry in hot oil. I use an electric skillet on almost 400.  Used between 1/4 in and 1/2in  of oil.  Fry til juices run clear.  5 min or so.  Drain on paper towels.  Serve with Cocktail sauce (my fav), honey mustard, ketchup, bbq sauce.

Onion Rings
Slice onion rounds thinly.  Separate into single rings.  Mix 1 egg in about 1cup buttermilk.  Dip rings in buttermilk then put in ziploc with flour, season salt, pepper mixture til coated. (again, taste flour mixture to see if its salty enough) Redip in buttermilk then dip into Panko or fine bread crumbs.  Then fry in hot oil til golden.  My grandma showed me how to make these with the crumbs.  I love Panko because it makes them so crispy!  Use same dips as for steaks! Ranch is yummy, too.

Greek Pastitsio

If you are craving Olive Garden, but dont have the money or want to wait an hour for a table, make this dish!! So good and less fattening too. (From http://www.melskitchencafe.com/)

12oz penne pasta
1 lb. ground turkey
1 onion, chopped fine
3-5 garlic cloves (3 good size was plenty!)minced or pressed
3/4 tsp salt
pepper
2 T flour
2 cups milk
8oz reduced fat cream cheese
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup mozzarella, grated
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
Heat broiler. Grease 9x13 baking dish. Cook pasta. In large skillet, cook turkey, onion and salt&pepper. Add garlic, sprinkle in flour. Add cream cheese and let melt in a little. Whisk in milk, nutmeg and tomatoes. Simmer 5 minutes. Add pasta. Pour into 9x13 and sprinkle with mozzarella. Broil 3-5 minutes till top is brown and bubbly. Remove and sprinkle with parsley. Serve. *I made bread sticks using rhodes dough and brushed with butter, then sprinkled garlic powder and parmesan. so good!

Homemade Corndogs

These are fun for kids to help make! Way more healthy than store-bought fried.(from Food Network)

1 cup milk
1 pkt active dry yeast
2 T oil
2 T brown sugar
1 cup fine cornmeal
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp paprika
10 hot dogs (I used the bun-length)(can use reduced fat also)
1 egg beaten
1 T sesame seed- optional
Dipping sauce of choice
Warm milk in pan. Add yeast, pour into bowl and let sit 2 mins. Stir in oil, sugar and cornmeal. Add flour, salt, baking soda and paprika. Dough will be sticky. Turn out on floured surface and knead for 5 minutes using as much additional flour as needed. Place in greased bowl and cover with plastic. Let rise to double 1 hour. Cut each hot dog in half to create a mini dog.(optional: poke a skewar in each end of hotdog for a stick- i didnt do this, they are easy to pick up with hands.) Divide dough into 20 pieces and make a "worm" by rolling dough between your hands. Wrap around each dog. Place on greased cookie sheet and brush with egg, then sprinkle with seeds if desired. Bake at 350 for 15 mins.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Salad De Maison

I brought this to a New Year's party with kids and adults, and my bowl was about empty by the end of the night! Amounts can be adjusted to your taste. This is a refreshing yet hearty salad- so good!

2 heads lettuce, Romaine is good
Grated swiss- 1 1/2 cup
chopped tomatoes- 2 large
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
grated fresh parmesan- 1/2 cup
croutons
1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds
Dressing:
3 T lemon juice
1/2 cup oil
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 large)
Toast almonds. Mix dressing. Toss all together and eat!!

Basil Chicken Salad

Cant go wrong with this one at a party!
2 chicken breasts, cooked
1 bag spinach
1 cup craisins
1 cup pine nuts
1 cup goat cheese or feta
1 cup dried bowtie pasta
1 large fuji apple, sliced thin
Dressing:
1 cup oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
20 fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 T brown sugar
cook pasta and drain. Dice chicken. Combine all salad ingredients. mix up dressing in a blender. Toss with salad just before serving. Yum-O!

Hashbrown Quiche

8 or so frozen hashbrown patties
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
10 eggs
2 cups cream or milk or a combo of the two
1 cup cubed ham
1/2 lb. bacon, chopped and cooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
black pepper
Place hashbrowns in a greased 9x13. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 20 mins at 350. Sprinkle with ham, bacon and cheeses. Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over top. Bake another 40-45 minutes. Comfort food all the way!!

Syd's Pancakes

1 1/2 cup flour (awesome with half wheat too)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 large apple, peeled and grated
a little cinnamon-optional
Mix all together and cook. Makes 12-16 pancakes. Serve with buttermilk syrup!!

Buttermilk Syrup

This will make you never want maple syrup again!!!! And you will find yourself day-dreaming about it's sweet goodness.
1 cube butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp corn syrup (optional, use it if u have it, if not dont stress)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla (use pure vanilla bean paste if you can find it!!)
 Melt butter. Add sugar, corn syrup and buttermilk. Bring to boil, cook 3-4 minutes, stirring. Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla. Stir well- it will foam up a little. Serve over pancakes, waffles etc! Store in fridge. Great with a pinch of cinnamon too.

Pork Au Jous

Not just any au jous!! I threw this together using pork instead of beef cause thats what I had! We could eat this once a week forever. Makes wonderful left-overs.


3-4 lb. Pork Butt or Shoulder roast
1 pkt Au jous mix (store brand is great)
1 can Beef Consomme soup
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed with side of knife
Throw roast in a crockpot. Sprinkle au jous mix over top. Add can of Beef consomme and toss in garlic cloves. Cook on high 6 hours or so, turning meat over half way through. When done, take roast out and shred or slice (it will fall apart anyway!). Add 3 cups water to juices in crockpot. Serve meat on hoagie buns or rolls. (Harmon's has the most chewy yummy ones ever!). Brandon likes to put a little mayo on his bun first. Dip sandwich in juice. Sooooo dang good. Never would think it was pork instead of beef. Cheaper too! I also like to dip my sandwhich in Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce. YOu can also add cheese or lettuce or tomato, or whatever.