Spicy Beef, Snow Peas, Mushroom, and Carrot Stir Fry

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We are having a heat wave here in Southern California.  In a time where we usually have June gloom we are having 100 degree weather for a week straight and no end in site.

The last thing I want to do is spend time heating up the kitchen to get dinner on the table.  Nope...not gonna do it.  So one can never have enough 30 minutes meals on hand for days like this, and because this is way BETTER THAN TAKEOUT there's no need to call out for food!

Today, let's talk about a one skillet meal full of beef and vegetables coated with a spicy sauce.  With one skillet (or wok) you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.  Can't beat that in this heat!

SPICY BEEF, SNOW PEAS, MUSHROOM, AND CARROT STIR FRY

A nice sirloin steak cut into thin strips will give you nice tender beefy bites.  Make sure to cut it across the grain so that it isn't tough when you bite into it.  For the veggies I chose ones that cook quickly and compliment the beefy flavor.  Shredded carrots lend a touch of sweet, while mushrooms (baby bella or white button will both work) lend a earthy meaty flavor.  The snow peas lend crunch and texture and a pop of green to the dish.  Oh, and lets not forget to add in some cashews for a little crunch.  I love them and add them to all my stir frys.

The sauce carries the heat with the addition of chili garlic sauce.  You can adjust that up or down depending on if you want it super spicy or leave it out if you don't want the kids to have it.  The sauce is easy to throw together, but make sure to do this first, as stir frys come together quickly and you want it ready to put in a finish the dish off.  

So dinner is done in 30 minutes and the kitchen stayed cool.  But, it's still hot outside so I think a mojito is calling me while I sit and watch the sunset!

Enjoy!

Spicy Beef, Snow Peas, Mushroom, and Carrot Stir Fry

serves 4

Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee)
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tsp garlic, minced

Stir Fry:

2 Tbls canola oil
3/4 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain into strips

1 cup carrots, shredded

1 1/2 cups snow peas

8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1/3 cup cashews, whole

Basic Steamed White Rice

In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, sherry, sugar, cornstarch, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic.  Set aside.

Heat a skillet over medium high heat.  Add oil and allow to heat.  Add sirloin and cook about 5-7 minutes until cooked to about medium well.  (cook less for medium doneness).  Remove from the skillet to a pan.  Add carrots, mushrooms, and snow peas to the skillet.  Cook about 5-7 minutes until mushrooms have let out their moisture and the veggies are crisp tender.  Add the cashews and stir to lightly toast.  

Add back the beef, stir the sauce and pour over the beef and veggies.  Mix to coat thoroughly.  Place on a serving platter and serve with hot cooked rice.

Lightening Fast So-Cal Chili

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On weekends I tend to cook meals that are a little more time consuming.  But the day before a holiday, when you have a big bash planned, who wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen?  Not me.  So that's when I pull out one of my quick weeknight meals.

I'm thinking my Lightening Fast So-Cal Chili sounds perfect.  This chili is a game changer for weeknight meals.  30 minutes is all you need.  Dinner...done.

My dad was a big chili fanatic growing up.  Me not so much.  I do recall my mom making chili often but since I didn't care for it then (finicky eater...) I didn't pay much attention to the type of chili she made.  When I started to appreciate a good chili I set out to find a good beef one.  MGG loves chili, so I had to be on my game to find one (or several) he would enjoy.  Most of my go-to chilis are made with some sort of stew meat or chuck roast.  Those have to be cooked low and slow to become tender. 

So the question was, how do we cook chili on the weeknight and still have a hearty beef chili?  

Use ground sirloin!  The meat still has a 10% fat ratio, and has great flavor.  The plus is that it cooks up quickly!  So by using ground sirloin plus a handful of other ingredients you can have a hearty, slightly spicy, beef and bean chili on the table in 30 minutes.  No joke!

LIGHTENING FAST SO-CAL CHILI

I use California Chili Powder in the recipe, however you can use whatever chili powder you prefer.  I also add in some cayenne pepper for a little heat.  Feel free to adjust it to your liking for a hotter preference or leave it out altogether.  I named this So-Cal Chili as an ode to southern California and all the fresh avocados that are abundant.  So on they go as a topping with a dollop of sour cream which help cool down the spice from the chili.

I hope you enjoy this and try it soon!  Please leave me a comment if you do.  I love to hear from you.

Enjoy!





Lightening Fast So-Cal Chili

1 lb ground sirloin
2 tsp minced garlic
1 large shallot, diced
1 15 oz can chili beans, drained (mild or hot)
1 6 oz can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tbls California chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Toppings:  sour cream, avocado (optional)

In a dutch oven add the ground sirloin, garlic, and shallot.  Cook over medium heat, stirring to break up the meat until browned.  Add the chili beans, and tomato paste.  Cook the tomato paste a few minutes then add the water.  Stir until the paste has liquefied and all is well combined.  Add the chili powder and cayenne pepper (if using) and stir until combined.  Cover and reduce heat, simmering for 15 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of avocado.

Attention-Grabbing Jalapeno Mushroom Sliders

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Memorial Day is around the corner and it's time to "Spice Up" your Sliders!

Memorial Day always marks the unofficial start of summer which goes hand in hand with grilling.  Since the weather here has been warm enough to grill for a month or so we've already started making great dishes on the grill, but no matter what we always have a cook-out for Memorial Day.

This year we aren't just making any ole' sliders.  Nope!  We are going to "Spice Up" our palate and our lives with a little add-in to the burgers.  We decided to add sautéed jalapenos and mushrooms to the mix to create one irresistibly juicy, and flavorful slider!

ATTENTION-GRABBING JALAPENO MUSHROOM SLIDERS

This is my riff on my favorite burger, the mushroom Swiss burger with a spicy twist.  The mushrooms and jalapeno are sautéed and added to the meat mixture instead of being used as toppings.  This is a lot easier to control than having them sit on top of a small slider.  This created a wonderfully juicy and tasty burger!

They take a little prep work but the end result is an Attention-Grabbing Jalapeno Mushroom Slider!  They are only mildly spicy but you can adjust that to your liking by adding more or less diced jalapeno.  Additionally, the cheese is optional.  We added cheese to about half of our burgers and left the other plain.  Serve with your favorite fixings, and possibly a spicy burger sauce and you are set for a sizzling main dish!

Enjoy!




Attention-Grabbing Jalapeno Mushroom Sliders

makes 12

1 lb ground sirloin (10%)
8 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 Tbls olive oil
Kosher salt
2 jalapenos, finely diced
salt and pepper
Swiss cheese (optional)
12 slider buns, split and buttered


Preheat a gas or charcoal grill, or they may be grilled indoors on a grill pan.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and mushrooms.  Cook mushrooms 3-4 minutes until they start to get tender.  Sprinkle salt over the mushrooms and they will release their moisture and start to turn a golden brown.  Cook an additional 3-4 minutes until golden and remove from the skillet to a cutting board. 

Add the diced jalapeno to the skillet and cook about 3 minutes until softened.  Watch them while cooking as they can burn easily and may pop up on the pan while cooking.

Cut the mushrooms into small pieces and add to a large bowl.  Add the sautéed jalapeno to the bowl as well.  Sprinkle the ground sirloin over the veggies in the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.  Mix until well combined but don't overwork the meat.  Form 12 equal patties and place them on a platter.

Grill patties 3-4 minutes per side for well done patties.  If you are adding cheese, add it to the patties once your flip the burger to the second side.  Add buttered buns to the grill to toast.  Remove patties and buns to a platter.  Serve with condiments and fixings of your choice.

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: Grilled Cuban Flank Steak

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Los Angeles is integrated with the Mexican culture in it's people, architecture, and their food.  So it's only natural that we love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

It's a great time to go out and have a margarita, but if you choose to stay home celebrate with some Latin food.  There are so many options such as tacos like my Grilled Chili Lime Fish or Chicken Tacos, or go for a family friendly, easy to make meal like this Sizzling Chicken Enchilada Casserole.

Today I'm going to share a different Latin dish, Grilled Cuban Flank Steak.  Man or man was this steak good!  Flank steak is a great choice of meat.  It feeds a crowd, takes well to a marinade, and slices up tender and juicy.  The marinade is a combination of citrus juices and Latin spices and it makes this steak so flavorful.  You are gonna love it!

Grilled Cuban Flank Steak

We cooked this out on the grill, but you can do it on an indoor grill pan just as easily.  We served this with Cinnamon Thyme Sweet Potato Fries and a salad.  Both were perfect side dishes, but you could easily serve this with rice and beans and some hot tortillas.  Perfect to celebrate the holiday.

Try this delicious meal at your next gathering and see for yourself how wonderful this Cuban dish is.
Enjoy!








Grilled Cuban Flank Steak

1 teaspoon grated lime zest plus 2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

Kosher salt & pepper
1- 1 1/2 lb flank steak

In a medium bowl add zests and juices, plus olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper.

Place you flank steak in a baking dish and pour the marinade over the steak and turn to coat. Let stand for 30 minutes on the counter.

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat.  Oil your grate if using an outdoor grill.  Remove the steak from the marinade and let any extra drip off.  Cook turning once, for 12-15 minutes per side for medium doneness.  Remove to a cutting board and allow to rest 5 minutes before cutting. 

Thinly slice the meat against the grain and transfer to a platter.  

Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken and Beef Kabobs with Roasted Veggies

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We're having a wonderful Spring so far and the weather is wonderful.  Taking advantage of the semi-hot days and the cooler evenings, it's time to break out the grill!  We just love kabobs and we both love beef and chicken.  So why pick when you can have both.

Today's recipe is all about basting sauce.  Don't get me wrong the chicken and beef are stars in itself but this lemon, garlic, and herb basting sauce just takes this over the top!  I love anything with lemon on it, but this combination is one of the best.  Why have plain old meat when you can jazz it up with flavors that carry a punch?  Can't think of any reason...

We decided to fire up the grill and make "all meat" kabobs and roast the veggies in the oven.  MGG also wanted Roasted Cauliflower and Tahini Sauce as well so it was easier to just roast all the veggies at once instead of mixing them with the protein on the kabobs.  Not to worry though, the veggies got a good douse of the basting sauce as well, so they came out sizzling and delishhhh!

LEMON GARLIC HERB CHICKEN AND BEEF KABOBS

We used summer squash (yellow squash) and zucchini as the veggies.  Boneless chicken breasts were cubed and threaded onto skewers, and for the beef we used sirloin steak that was cubed as well and threaded onto skewers.

While the veggies were roasting in the oven MGG grilled the meat outside, rotating the meat and dousing them with this wonderful basting sauce.  The smell of garlic, and the tang of lemon, and the savory taste of the herbs is heaven.  This was definitely a favorite meal.  One that we will repeat over and over this summer!

Your whole family will love this easy to pull together meal, I promise.

Enjoy!





Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken and Beef Kabobs with Roasted Veggies

Kabobs:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

1 lb sirloin steak, fat removed, and cubed

bamboo skewers

Roasted Vegetables:

2 Summer Squash, cut lengthwise and sliced in big chunks

2 Zucchini, cut lengthwise and slice in big chunks

Marinade/Basting Sauce:
1½ tablespoons finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 - 1/3 cup minced fresh herbs, I used a mix of oregano and thyme

1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Soak your bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

In a small bowl combine the garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Remove 3 tablespoons to a small bowl and set aside.  The larger bowl will be for basting the meat on the grill. 

Thread the chicken breasts onto skewers leaving a small amount of space between them.  Do the same with the steak.  Make sure to cook them on separate skewers as the chicken and beef cook at different rates. Set aside.  Preheat the grill to medium high.

Place the chopped vegetables in a bowl and pour the 3 tablespoons over them, tossing to coat.  Spread the veggies on a baking sheet in an even layer.  Place in the preheated oven and cook for 15 minutes.  Take the veggies out and turn them over and place them back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes until golden brown.  Make sure to watch them so they don't burn.

Meanwhile, on a preheated grill the chicken first turning after 5-6 minutes.  Place the beef on shortly after and turn after 5 minutes for medium.  When you turn both meats, use the basting sauce and give this side a good dousing.  Grill chicken another 5-6 minutes, turning and basting.  Grill the steak to your desired degree of doneness, turning and basting all sides.  Remove from the grill and place on a platter.

Remove vegetables from the oven and arrange on the platter with the kabobs.  Serve with sliced lemons.

Simple Homemade Meximelts

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Happy April!  It my favorite month of the year.  I'm a little biased because it's my birthday month, plus Spring is in full swing in Southern California and it's actually tinging on being hot!  Warmer weather means lot of outdoor activities.  We are just about to head out to the California Poppy Reserve to see the 'sea' of wild poppies in bloom.  So that calls for a quick lunch before we go.

Have you ever had a Meximelt from Taco Bell?

It's sort of a cross between a quesadilla and a soft taco.  Seasoned ground beef with fresh salsa and lot melted cheese round out the ingredients.  Very tasty...enough to make a homemade version that's done in 20 minutes!  Forget takeout fast food and skip that drive through.  Let's make a new dish for Taco Tuesday!

SIMPLE HOMEMADE MEXIMELTS

We love Mexican food around our house so today's recipe was just a natural progression to wanting to satisfy that craving along with a need to a quick lunch.  This dish comes together in about 20 minutes.  It comes together easy using ingredients that you probably have already on hand.

I did a small variation to the original.  They use pico de gallo, which is a fresh chunky salsa.  Since I didn't have that on hand I used our favorite jarred salsa. My homemade salsa would be great as well.   Either one will do but the flavor changes just slightly. 

So if you are craving Mexican food and want it FAST...or wanting to try a new variation on Taco Tuesday these Simple Homemade Meximelts will fit the bill.  Perfect, simple, tasty!

Enjoy!

Simple Homemade Meximelts

serves 4

3/4 lb of 10% ground sirloin
1 pkg. store-bought taco seasoning or my homemade version
⅔ cup water

1/2 cup jarred salsa
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
8 small flour tortillas ( I used low-carb flour tortillas )

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a skillet over medium heat brown the ground sirloin, crumbling with a wooden spoon as it cooks. 

Add the seasoning and water, stirring to combine.  Allow to simmer until most of the water is absorbed and a nice sauce is formed. 

Place tortillas on a baking sheet.  Add taco meat to the center of the tortillas.  Spoon salsa over the meat and top with cheese.  Fold one side of the tortilla over the meat mixture.  Bake in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese melts.  You want the tortillas soft and not crispy to watch the time closely.  Serve.

Slow Cooker Guinness Irish Beef Stew

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A truly classic Guinness Irish Beef Stew, made long and slow with a touch of Irish beer, just like the women of Ireland did so long ago!

It's about that time of year when we celebrate all things Irish!

I've never been to Ireland though it is certainly on my bucket list.  My great-grandmother was a migrant as a young girl from Ireland to Oklahoma and her parents participated in the famous Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893 to stake a homestead claim for land.  We think the strong persistence of the Irish people in my family tree deserve celebrating this St Patrick's Day!

St Patrick's Day is actually a day of feasting, celebrating the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and the heritage and culture of the Irish.  You don't have to be Irish to take part, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!    So if you plan on having a feast at home this year I have the dish for you!

SLOW COOKER GUINNESS IRISH BEEF STEW

We just love a good stew and Irish stew is hearty and comforting.  This version has all the traditional ingredients with an added touch of Guinness beer for a jazzed up version.  The major plus is that it is made in the slow cooker.  You can come home to a mouthwatering meal that is just irresistible!

It's full of big chunks of meat and vegetables with a hint of Guinness flavor in the broth.  Pair this with my Pioneer Spotted Dog (Irish soda bread) for one fantastic meal, and the perfect way to celebrate!

Enjoy!





Slow Cooker Guinness Irish Beef Stew

1 1/2 lb lean beef stew meat
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
3 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
½ large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 1/2 cups beef broth
1 cup Guinness Extra Stout
Salt & pepper to taste

Saute meet either in your slow cooker (if available) or in a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of oil and just brown meat over medium high heat, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as it browns.

If browning in the skillet add beef to the slow cooker.  Add potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and tomato paste to the slow cooker.  Then add the Guinness (including any foam that has formed) and the broth.  Stir to mix slightly.  Place lid on the slow cooker and set on high 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours.  Taste for seasoning and add additional salt and pepper if needed.  Serve hot.

Sloppy Joe Sliders

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It's February you guys!  I can't believe that the days are just flying by.  I hope your month is off to a great start. 

We grilled burgers last night since the weather in Southern California has been sunny the past few days.  I love the rain and all and we surely need it, but it's nice to be able to go outside for a change. 

Every time I buy ground sirloin I ponder on what to do with the extra hamburger meat.  I usually gravitate toward a nice meat sauce for spaghetti or even some Sloppy Joes as a last minute thought.  Which led me to today's recipe.  Sloppy Joe Sliders!

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This is the perfect solution for my Super Bowl menu this Sunday.  Sliders are great snacks and sloppy joe sliders are super easy to make!  Who doesn't love a good sloppy joe?  All the guys and even my girlfriends are going to love them. 

Served with some mini pizzas, my homemade salsa and avocado dips, and a nice healthy green salad to round it out and I'm done.

I used my standard sloppy joe recipe below and found the best little slider buns at a local butcher shop but Hawaiian rolls will work perfectly as well.

Take it easy on yourself this game day and make these quick and easy Sloppy Joe Sliders, they'll be gobbled up in no time!

Enjoy!



Sloppy Joe Sliders

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
kosher salt and ground pepper
1 pound ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
12 slider rolls, split (toasted optional)

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft about 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds.

Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes.

Stir 3/4 can of tomato sauce to start and Worcestershire sauce into beef mixture in skillet. Taste for flavoring.  Add more tomato sauce or Worcestershire sauce to adjust flavor to your liking.  Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes.

Season the mixture with more salt and pepper, if desired. Spoon onto toasted slider buns, and serve.