Tag: Steak

Steak Oscar

Steak Oscar

Steak Oscar

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
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This is one of those dishes that may seem a bit intimidating especially when you consider that Bearnaise is the sauce used to elevate it but it is actually very simple and the Bearnaise is really not that hard to make.

Cooks note: I used strip loins for this because I happened to find them on sale but any decent steak cut will do.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 4 Strip Loin steaks
  • 1 bag 31 – 40 Shrimp – tail off
  • 12 -15 Asparagus spears
  • 3 tablespoons minced Shallots
  • 2 large Egg Yolks
  • 2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons unsalted Butter
  • 2 tablespoons White  Wine Vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped Tarragon
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay® seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Granulated Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Putting it all together:

Bearnaise Sauce:

  1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to coat. Stir in vinegar, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vinegar is evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking shallots, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer shallot reduction to a small bowl and let cool completely.
  2. Meanwhile, fill a blender with hot water to warm it; set aside. Melt remaining 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is foamy. Transfer butter to a measuring cup.
  3. Drain blender and dry well. Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water in warm, dry blender. Purée mixture until smooth. Remove lid insert. With blender running, slowly pour in hot butter in a thin stream of droplets, discarding milk solids at bottom of measuring cup. Continue blending until a smooth, creamy sauce forms, 2-3 minutes. Pour sauce into a medium bowl. Stir in shallot reduction and tarragon and season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. This can be made 1 hour ahead of time. Cover and let sit at room temperature.

Steak, Shrimp and Asparagus:

  1. Preheat your grill to 375°.
  2. Season the steaks with salt and pepper and set aside.
  3. Prep the Asparagus by cutting off the woody, fibrous ends.
  4. Melt 1 teaspoon of butter in a saute pan and add the granulated garlic and Old Bay® mixing well. Add the shrimp and saute until pink.
  5. Put the steaks on the grill for 6 to 8 minutes a side for medium,
  6. Steam the asparagus for 5 minutes.
  7. Plate the steak and top with the asparagus, shrimp and warmed Bearnaise.
  8. Enjoy.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……

                           Bon Appetit

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Beef and Lentil Stew

Beef and Lentil Stew

 

Beef and Lentil Stew

  • Servings: 6 - 8
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Cold season has hit my household and it looks like everyone, save yours truly, has caught one but it is entirely possible, if not probable, that I will sooner or later catch one. Until that time I will continue to look after my guys and so with that in mind I have made them some comfort food that will hopefully help them feel a little better.

Now I have “billed” this one as a stew however from what I can see the only difference between a soup and a stew is the thickness of the broth, except in the case of a Chowder which is thick anyways so if you wanted to make this a soup just thin out the broth.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping List:

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds Sirloin Steak  Tails – cut into bite sized chunks
  • 3 Celery stalks- chopped
  • 2 Carrots – peeled and chopped
  • 1 Yellow Onion – diced
  • 3 small Leeks, whites only – chopped
  • 6 cups Beef broth
  • 1 28 ounce can Diced Tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons Oregano
  • 4 teaspoons Granulated Garlic
  • 2 cups Lentils
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Putting it all together:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown in batches removing to a separate bowl.
  3. Add the onion and saute until translucent.
  4. Add back the beef and the remaining ingredients bringing to a boil. Cover and simmer for 45 to 60 minutes.
  5. Adjust the seasoning and enjoy.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                            Bon Appetit

Bahn Mi Tacos

Bahn Mi Tacos

Bahn Mi Tacos

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
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In Vietnamese cooking Bahn Mi refers to the Bread that is used in sandwiches and if done right it is one of the best sandwiches you have ever had.

Now traditional Bahn Mi sandwiches usually consist of marinated meat and pickled veggies and it’s the marinade that really stands out but in this case we have added typical Taco toppings…….. green onions, sour cream and Cilantro…. so the taste has changed a little but you can still detect the Asian influence to this Taco.

Here’s how we doe this one.

Shopping list:

  • 2 pounds Steak strips
  • 1 medium piece Daikon – peeled and shredded
  • 4 cups Shredded Carrots
  • 4 Scallions – chopped for garnish
  • Small bunch of Cilantro – chopped for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Canola Oil
  • Sour cream for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Soya sauce
  • 1/2 cup Fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Garlic Chili sauce
  • 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Sea Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon Mustard Seeds
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese

Putting it all together:

  1. In a non reactive bowl mix the Soya sauce, Fish sauce, Garlic Chili sauce and sugar mixing well. Pour over the steak strips, cover and refrigerate for about an hour.
  2. For the pickling liquid combine the Apple Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Sea Salt, Peppercorns and Mustard seeds in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
  3. Place the carrots and Daikon in a bowl and pour the pickling liquid over top mixing well and cover.
  4. In a large fry pan or wok heat the oil and quick fry the steak strips in the marinade.
  5. Build your Taco by briefly heating the Tortilla then layer cheese, steak, pickled veggies, green onions, sour cream and cilantro.
  6. Enjoy.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                           Bon Appetit 

Meat on a stick

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Meat on a stick

  • Servings: 18-20
  • Difficulty: Easy
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I love the culture of grilling. It creates an atmosphere that is festive but casual. 

Bobby Flay

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and instead of taking the women in my life….. my wife, daughter and daughter in law….. (my mom lives 2 hours out of town and at 85 doesn’t like to travel far anymore) out to a restaurant for dinner I did the next best thing….. I made them dinner starting with appetizers so they could do as they please and be waited on as befits the day.

The main drawback to this particular recipe is the prep time. The meat needs to be marinated and assembling the skewers is time consuming and somewhat labour intensive however as my son says “there is something about wood and meat that makes it all worth while” and I couldn’t agree more.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 2 pounds bottom Sirloin steak tails (see cooks note)
  • 9″ Bamboo skewers
  • 2 large Yellow peppers
  • 2 large Red peppers
  • 2 large Orange peppers
  • 1 large Red Onion

For the Marinade:

  • 1/3 cup sodium reduced Soya sauce
  • 1/3 cup Fish sauce
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Garlic Chili sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar

Putting it all together:

  1. Cut the steak and vegetables into bite sized pieces.
  2. In a non reactive container mix together the soya sauce, fish sauce, garlic chili sauce and sugar. Put the steak in a zip lock bag, pour in the marinade and place in the fridge overnight.
  3. Soak the skewers in water for at least 30 mins as this will help to stop them burning on the grill.
  4. Preheat the grill to 375° and then build your skewers by alternating the meat and the veggies until all the skewers are filled.
  5. Grill and enjoy.

Cooks note: I chose bottom sirloin steak tails because one of our independent grocers carries them and the price is really quite good as is the product however feel free to use whatever steak you wish.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time………..

                         Bon Appetit

Chimichurri Steak flat bread

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Chimichurri Steak flat bread

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
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I’m not on chef level, but I’d make a good line cook. That’s not too shabby.

Jon Favreau

I’ve worked as a line cook at various establishments over the years and most if not all have had a flat bread of some kind or other on the menu and the one common denominator has been that they all resemble Pizza… you know, basic tomato sauce, some kind of topping and melted cheese. Pretty humdrum fare which is why I have taken two of my favourite things, Steak and Chimichurri, and combined them on a flat bread.

If you are not familiar with Chimichurri it is a condiment that is believed to have originated in Argentina in the early 1900’s and its base is Parsley and Garlic and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats. In my version I have added a couple of other ingredients that I think give it an extra layer of flavour.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 1 8 ounce Flat Iron steak
  • 2 9 inch Flat Breads
  • 4 tablespoons Chimichurri (recipe to follow)
  • 4 ounces  Onions – sliced
  • 1 Leek, white only, julienne
  • 2 – 4 ounces Goat Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • Small bunch of flat leaf Parsley
  • Small bunch of Cilantro
  • 4-6 Garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Oregano (can substitute 2 teaspoons dried)

Putting it all together:

  1. Preheat your grill to 400°
  2. In a food processor combine the parsley, cilantro, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and vinegar and pulse until blended. With the motor running add the olive oil in a steady stream and continue blending until smooth. Refrigerate.
  3. Lightly season the steak with salt and pepper and slice thinly.
  4. Saute the onions with salt, pepper and the butter for about 15 minutes.
  5. To build your flat bread: Smear the chimichurri on the flat bread and top with the steak, onions and leeks. Put on your grill for about 10 minutes or until the steak is done to your liking being careful not to burn the crust.
  6. Crumble goat cheese on the top, slice and enjoy.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……….

                          Bon Appetit

Steak and Kidney pie

Steak and Kidney pie

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: medium
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‘Chef’ doesn’t mean that you’re the best cook, it simply means ‘boss.’

Tom Colicchio

This is one of those recipes where people look at the title and either turn up their nose automatically or, as in my wife’s case, it elicits a warm walk down memory lane .In my case my childhood memories do not include this staple of British cookery because my dad was a Pork man through and through but there were also 7 kids and so the food budget was aimed at lower costing but still healthy foods like Liver.

Now this recipe is not an original from me but it is my adaptation of one from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger so kudos chefs and thank you for giving me the base for my twist on your recipe.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 1 pound bottom Sirloin steak tails – cubed
  • 12 ounces Beef Kidney – cored, rinsed and cubed
  • 1 1/2 cups Mushrooms – quartered
  • 1 medium sweet Onion – roughly diced
  • 1 12 ounce can Guinness
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons liquid Beef base
  • 5 tablespoons Canola oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 1/3 cups of Flour plus 1/3 cup
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/2 cup cold Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 3 tablespoons ice Water
  • 2 tablespoons melted Butter

Putting it all together:

  1. Prepare the pastry: In a large bowl, combine flour with butter and salt. Mix lightly with your fingertips until butter forms pea sized pieces. Whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon of the water. Add to flour mixture all at once, mixing gently with your fingertips. You should be able to see chunks of fat, and the pastry should be moist enough to begin to stick together. If the pastry is too dry, add up to 2 more tablespoons of water.
  2. Turn the pastry out onto a lightly floured work surface, dust with flour, and knead it until the pastry is smooth, about 3 to 4 times. Transfer to a plastic bag and form pastry into a disk. Refrigerate a minimum of 30 minutes, or as long as 3 days.
  3. Meanwhile: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a casserole or Dutch oven. Add the onions, garlic and mushrooms and cook for about four minutes. Add the 1/3 cup of flour and mix well.
  4. Stir in the Worcestershire, beef base, bay leaves and salt and pepper.
  5. Pour in the Guinness and bring to a boil.
  6. Add in the steak and kidney, mix well, cover and place in the oven and simmer for about 1 hour or until the meat is fork tender.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375°. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
  8. Fill 4 oval Au Gratin dishes or one 9 inch pie pan with the steak and kidney mix and cover with the pastry. Make a vent hole in the pastry, brush the melted butter on the top and put back in the oven for 25 minutes or until the pastry is golden.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……….

                           Bon Appetit

Chicken fried steak

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It seems that whenever I mention this recipe to someone I get the whole “chicken fried WWWHHHAAATTT????” and to be honest when I first heard about this dish some 30 years ago when it was called “Steak and Bake” I had the same reaction. Well fast forward 30 years and it’s not a stranger anymore.

One of the reasons I really like this recipe is that it is using an inexpensive cut of meat that does not require and inordinate amount of time to cook AND when you add smashed potatoes , “milk” gravy and a vegetable you can feed a family of four  for under $20.00. That’s right you heard me — UNDER $20.00.

Here’s how:

Ingredients:

–          1 2 pound Round steak

–          1 Cup of flour

–          ½ cup milk

–          2 Tablespoon salt, pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion

–          3 Eggs (whisked)

–          1 Cup bread crumbs or cracker meal (I use Kellogg’s bread crumbs)

–          1 Cup of milk

–          ½ cup Butter

–          1/2 Cup plus 3 tablespoons Canola oil

–          Chicken stock

–          1 Medium onion, diced

Method:

–          Cut the steak into four serving sizes

–          Mix the spices with the flour and place on a flat surface

–          Dip the steak into the seasoned flour then the eggs and finally the bread crumbs

–          Repeat with all four pieces

–          Heat a half cup of Canola oil in a large non- stick pan

–          Fry the steak until golden brown

–          Remove from the oil and drain on some paper towel

–          In a separate sauté pan heat the remaining Canola oil and add the butter

–          Sauté the onions until just translucent, about three minutes

–          Sprinkle in half the seasoned flour and whisk until incorporated

–          Allow the flour to cook off for approx. 5 minutes

–          Slowly add the chicken stock until you get the consistency you want

–          Add the milk and let reduce until the gravy is as thick as you would like

Serve the steak with your sides, I suggest smashed potatoes and green beans and ladel on the gravy.

There you have it. Simple ,tasty and inexpensive.

Bon Appetit