Grilled Flank Steak with House Marinade

Please any beef lover with this Grilled Flank Steak in our House Marinade!


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We can't get through summer without a good grilled steak and some wonderful sides.  Beef is my choice of meat when grilling but MGG really likes to keep it light with fish or chicken most often with the occasional beef dish thrown in.  But today is all about the beef!  

My favorite cut of beef is a filet mignon for it's tenderness but today we are going to play around with another favorite, the flank steak.  Flank steak is a long flat, tougher cut of meat that sits along the belly of a cow. It has tons of intense beefy flavor and it's the perfect cut for marinating and grilling which increases the tenderness.  The results? A juicy tender cut of meat!  

Eat it thinly sliced and cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.

Two tips for grilling flank steak:

• Best when cooked to medium rare or medium.  If you cook this any longer the meat will not be as tender.
• Tough fibers all run in a single direction so it is imperative that you cut "across the grain" to ensure you get tender slices of beef. This allows you to sever those fibers and  makes the meat easier to chew.

About Marinating

Flanks steaks take well to marinades and they can help to tenderize the meat. We have a standard marinade for most of our beef recipes that we call our "house marinade".  It is made up of delicious ingredients such as balsamic vinegar,  mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lots of garlic and herbs.  Yum!  This flavor bomb enhances the meat and gives you one heck of a tasty piece of steak!  Try it on other cuts of steaks too.

I find that the easiest way to marinade any piece of meat is to mix the marinade and put it in a ziploc bag along with the meat.  Seal it tight and slosh that marinade all over the meat making sure it's all coated.  Then pop it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours turning it over every so often so coat all sides with the deliciousness.  

How to cook flank steak

High heat and quick cooking is the best way to cook flank steak.  It can be grilled, seared, braised or stuffed.  Today we are going to grill it.  You can use an outdoor grill or inside on a grill pan.  It cooks fairly quickly and you don't want to cook this above medium or it will become tough.  Medium rare is best.  

What side dishes go with it?

Just about anything from potatoes to corn go with steak.  Here are some of my favorites:

Indian Summer Fresh Corn Salad

Orzo Black Bean Salad

Fresh Sweet Corn with Lime Butter

Cajun Roasted Potatoes

Grilled Greek Potato Salad

Dill Garden Salad

Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing over a Garden Salad with Avocado

More flank steak? 

Grilled Cuban Flank Steak

Jack Daniel's Whiskey Marinated FlankMo Steak

Cilantro Lime Flank Steak with an Avocado Poblano Salsa

Herb Rubbed Flank Steak

Balsamic Flank Steak Salad with Parmesan

Grilled Flank Steak with House Marinade

2-3 pound flank steak
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 T Dijon mustard
1 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T finely minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp paprika
1/4 cup olive oil

Place the flank steak in a ziploc bag.  Mix the remainder of the ingredients in a measuring cup and mix well to blend.  Pour over the flank steak and seal the bag.  Rotate the bag so that the marinade covers all sides of the meat.  Place in the refrigerator and allow to marinate for 3-4 hours turning over every so often.  Remove the bag from the refrigerator and set it on the counter allowing the meat to come to room temperature for about 1 hour.

Preheat an outdoor grill with cover down to high heat.  Alternatively, you can preheat an indoor grill pan over high heat.  Once heated reduce temperature to medium high. Oil the grill grates so the meat does not stick.  Remove steak from the marinade and place on the grill.  Cook on the first side for 6 minutes.  Turn and cook on the second side until the temperature reaches 145 degrees for medium rare.  Remove from the grill and tent with foil allowing to rest for 5 minutes.

Cut meat across the grain into thin strips.  Serve.

Steak and Potato Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

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Isn't food on a stick more fun to eat?  Well if you put any kind of meat and vegetable on a skewer we call them kabobs!

Since is grilling season I think it's time to get out there and grill some delicious kabobs!  We love don't eat too much beef at our house although I totally love it.  So when we have it I want a great tasting steak.  So why not take my love for meat and potatoes and turn them into kabobs.

These kabobs scream summer and call for dining alfresco.  Tender pieces of lean sirloin are cut into chunks and threaded on skewers.  Wonderful meaty chunks of beef that pack a lot of flavor and come out juicy and tender.  The potatoes are grilled right along side the beef and turn out tender and flavorful from grilling.  

The kicker to the whole dish is a variation on a chimichurri sauce.  This is a uncooked green sauce from Argentina.  Typically made with parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil this version bumps it up a notch with the addition of mint and sumac.   Sumac is found in many Middle Eastern dishes and have a wonderfully tangy lemon flavor.  If you don't have sumac or can't find it you can substitute lemon zest in the sauce and have similar results.  What ever you do don't skip this sauce!!  The flavor is out of this world!!!!  You can make it easily in a food processor and it takes only minutes to pull together.

Tender steak and potato kabobs doused with a refreshing chimichurri sauce is just what the doctor ordered for summertime grilling!  Perfect for a party or the upcoming 4th of July holiday.  

Get outside and grill! This dinner will be on the table in under 30 minutes and is so easy to through together you'll wonder why you haven't made this before.








Steak and Potato Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

serves 4

FOR THE CHIMICHURRI, PURÉE: 

2 cups fresh mint leaves 
1 cup fresh parsley leaves 
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 
2 cloves garlic 
2 Tbsp. each red wine vinegar and fresh lemon juice 
1 ½ tsp. ground sumac 
1 shallot 
1 tsp. red pepper flakes 
Salt and black pepper to taste

FOR THE KABOBS: 

6 yellow new potatoes, halved, and sliced into 1/2" disks
4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 
1 ¼ lb. top sirloin, cut into 2-inch chunks

Preheat grill for two-zone grilling, heating one side to medium and the other to medium-high. Brush grill grate with oil.

For the chimichurri, purée mint, parsley, 1 ⁄2 cup oil, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, sumac, shallot, and pepper flakes in a food processor; season with salt and black pepper. 

For the kebabs, toss potatoes with 2 Tbsp. oil; thread potato slices onto each of four skewers so potatoes lay flat. Toss beef with 2 Tbsp. oil. 

Evenly divide and thread beef onto each of four skewers. Season kebabs with salt and black pepper. 

Grill potatoes over medium heat, covered, until brown and soft, about 7 minutes per side. Add beef kebabs to grill; cook over medium-high heat, covered, to desired doneness (about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare). 

Let kebabs rest 5 minutes. While resting, brush kabobs chimichurri sauce. Serve remaining chimichurri on the side.


source:  Cuisine at home

Spicy Beef and Macaroni Tomato Soup

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I have been freezing all winter long...

We certainly are having very cold weather for living in Los Angeles.  I just can't seem to get warm enough.  I'm doing what everyone says which is to "layer, layer, layer" but I'm still cold.  So I'm filling our tummies with comfort food that warms the soul.  One of the ways to do that is make a great soup!  Nothing beats a pot of steaming soup on a cold winter night.

This year I think I make a hearty soup at least once a week, maybe twice!  To me it is one of the only dishes that warms me up on these cold winter days, and nights.  

SPICY BEEF AND MACARONI TOMATO SOUP

There are a lot of versions of a beef and macaroni soup out there to choose from.  My fresh twist on a classic recipe zips it up with a little spice to give you that little extra something.  Hearty and filing, this seriously comforting soup of beef, macaroni, and tomatoes will soothe your soul any day of the week!

This soup is easy to pull together and quick enough for a weeknight meal.  Dinner will be on the table in minutes and you'll be warming yourself up so thoroughly that you won't even mind the cold!

What do I need to make this soup?  A good Dutch oven such as this one, is the perfect vessel for this soup.  I just love my Hamburger Meat Chopper.  I think it is the best purchase in a long time.  I chops your hamburger meat into small pieces with little effort.  You will also need a good knife, (I use this one) wooden spoons, and a nice ladle.  Most of the ingredients are staples, but make sure to use a nice flavorful ground sirloin and a jar of marinara sauce that you enjoy.  

This soup will serve four people but you can easily double the recipe and serve a larger family or have leftovers that you can freeze in storage containers for a quick lunch along with a sandwich.  This will keep in the freezer for about 3 months.  Note: Due to the pasta soaking up some liquid you may need to add some chicken broth while re-heating.  

Serve this soup with some hot crusty bread, or homemade biscuits and you are all set!
I hope you enjoy this soup as much as we did and stay warm during the cold months.

Enjoy!





Spicy Beef and Macaroni Tomato Soup
serves 4

Ingredients:
1/2 lb ground sirloin
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp oregano
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 24 oz jar marinara sauce
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 Tbls fresh basil, chopped
1 cup elbow macaroni

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, add the ground beef and onion and cook until the beef is no longer pink.  Add in garlic and cook for a minute more.  Add salt, pepper, pepper flakes, and oregano to the beef and stir to combine.

Add in the chicken broth, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes.  Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.  Simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

Add  in the pasta, and cook covered, for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Spoon into bowls and garnish with the basil. 

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11 Best Dishes of 2018

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Happy New Year!

2018 was a year full of highs and lows but it seems that it went so fast that it was a blur.  The food we made was a full of variety.  The most popular dishes seem to have a comfort food theme with a little bit of restaurant flair thrown in.   

I've gathered the eleven most popular dishes (there was a tie for 10th place that I couldn't break) from 2018 in one spot for you to reference and enjoy!

Enjoy all the precious moments that 2019 will bring.  We only live once!

11 TOP RECIPES OF 2018

In no particular order...

Cajun Roasted Potatoes

Chili Lime Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Baked Honey Soy Chicken Legs

Spicy Turkey Chili 

Garlic and Parmesan Crispy Oven Fried Chicken

Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Mediterranean Rice

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Stew

Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler - Family Sized

Sheet Pan Beef Fajitas

There are plenty of dishes to come in 2019.  Lots of comfort food, weeknight meals, stir frys, southern dishes, and easy restaurant style meals.  Enjoy a prosperous holiday and I am so grateful for all of my followers.  I wish you the best to come in 2019 and will be talking to you in the new year!

9 Summer Grilling Favorites 2018

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Summer is well under way and everyone is trying to beat the kitchen heat by grilling outdoors!

I have an array of some of my favorite grilling dishes that I think you will just love.  So look through them below and pick a few to try when you are planning your next meal on the grill!

9 Summer Grilling Favorites 2018



Let start off with something light and healthy like my Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad.  This has such bold flavors that will leave you craving more.. Don't forget the Blue Cheese on this one, it's a definite must for those complex flavors!

For a great chicken dish you'll just love my Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Mediterranean Rice.  Again as with the steak dish above Balsamic is the primary flavor and it's just makes this chicken pop!  We love Mediterranean flavors and this dish is a winner!

For those who like fish or seafood you have to try my Lemon Herb Grilled Shrimp and Scallops.  It is so light and delectable that it will just knock your socks off!

You certainly can't get through summer without having a burger.  And if you choose any burger it better be my Butter Burgers.  Man oh man are these the juiciest burgers you will have anywhere!  An absolute must in my book.

Oh this salad!  The marinade which is also the salad dressing is to die for.  This salad is worth eating just for that marinade.  Grilled Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad with leave you feeling like you are sitting on a small island somewhere drinking Chianti and savoring the sea breeze! 

Let not forget the side dishes that are perfect for grilling.  Try The BEST Grilled Corn Ever and you will know what I mean.  Savory with chives and then there's the butter.  Need I say more?

What's better than a side of grilled vegetables?  Not much.  Grilling brings out the sweetness in the vegetables, and that char...oh that char!  Flavors are waiting.  Try my version of Grilled Vegetables with a balsamic marinade...they are truly perfection!

For something fun and different on the grill try Grilled Pita Pizzas.  They are a quick weeknight meal or can be a great appetizer.  They're easy to throw together and taste superb on the grill!

Let's not forget about dessert!  You gotta try a dessert on the grill.  Yes, grilled peaches and nectarines are tasty, but let's go a step further and have my Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberries and Vanilla Ice Cream!  Oh boy, oh boy!  I'll take the dessert over the meal when this is served!

Have a wonderful "grillful" summer!



Cajun Pot Roast - Slow Cooker Heaven

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Winter seems to have finally come to Southern California.  

In a time where most of the country was dealing with rain and snow we've been experiencing an unusually dry and hot winter.  Like 80's hot...crazy I know.  We're tired of the heat and we crave water so that we won't be in a drought situation but the weather doesn't want to cooperate.  Finally, last week we got what they called out biggest storm of the season and we had rain.  Quite a bit I might add, and it's actually really, really cold.  

Out came the coats and the slow cookers!  Time for some comfort food to eat on a cold winter's night. 

It's March and I missed Mardi Gras, but that doesn't stop me from craving Cajun flavors.  And when I want slow cooked comfort food I always think of my Mom's Famous Pot Roast.  So I decided to turn her pot roast into a Cajun flavored one.   Meat that is tender but spiced just right, surrounded by soft flavorful vegetables.  Yum!  This Cajun Pot Roast is a twist on a classic but will have your mouth bursting with flavor and craving more!

I typically use chuck roast or sirloin, or top round roast for my cut of meat.  However, you can use your favorite cut.  To get extra flavor in your dish make sure to sear the meat prior to putting it in the slow cooker.  It makes a big difference in the flavor so don't skip this step.  

My favorite slow cooker is this one.  I've used it for a couple of years and just love it!  The size is perfect and the features make this handier than your average slow cooker.  

This dish is a definite winner and should be part of your rotation.  Make sure to fix this soon and tell me how you like it.  As I write this it's raining.  Another storm has made it's way down to So. Calif.  Although is bone chilling cold, we need the rain, and I enjoy being cozy in the house on a weekend!  Keep warm, and pull out your slow cookers.  They are top notch in my book!

Enjoy!





Cajun Pot Roast

serves 4

2 Tbsp canola oil
3 lb chuck or top round roast
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 onions, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 orange bell pepper, sliced
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes
2 tsp tomato paste

In a large skillet or in slow cooker on sauté mode, add the canola oil until hot and sear the roast on all sides until brown.  If using the skillet remove and place meat on the bottom of a slow cooker.  

In a small bowl add all the seasonings, through oregano, and mix.  pour over meat in slow cooker.  Add sliced onion, celery, garlic, bell peppers on top of meat.  Add the diced tomatoes with their juices over the vegetables.  Add the tomato paste toward the side of the pan to blend with the juices.

Cook on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours.  Remove meat and shred or chunk and place back in the slow cooker.  Serve meat along with vegetables and sauce over mashed potatoes or rice if desired.

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