Thursday, June 28, 2012

Grilled Potatoes Discs



Meat and potatoes go hand in hand.


The other day I brought you a simple technique for an everyday grilled steak.  Today we are looking at side dishes.  We love all types of grilled vegetables but this time around I chose baby red potatoes.  In keeping with the theme of grilling quick and tasty food, we learn toward something that can be made easily.  In this case we take some help from the microwave, and finish the dish on the grill.  That way the potatoes will be done when the steak is, and you can cook them both at the same time.


These are cute little potato discs.  I used a nice red potato which holds together well and is easy to slice.




This post is more of a technique than a recipe.  So I'll explain the process to you, and as always you can adjust to your liking.


Grilled Potatoes Discs
Technique:
To serve 4 people you will want about 2lbs of red potatoes. (you can do as many or little as you like!).  Place them in the microwave in batches and cook them on high for about 3-5 minutes, depending upon the amount you are cooking.  You want the potato done but still firm.  Not mushy!  Once they are cooked allow to cool which will solidify the potato.  Cut the cooled potatoes in 1/2" discs.  Brush with olive oil and grill on a preheated grill on medium heat for about 3 min per side, or until you have some nice grill marks.  Turn over and cook the other side 2-3 minutes.


These are great served along side a dollop of sour cream that has been mixed with chives.  Taziki sauce is another great idea.  Equally as good would be a yogurt and herb dip, or plain ole' ranch dressing!  


The grill marks lends more flavor and jazzes these babies up!   What is your favorite side dish to serve along steak?


Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Simple Everyday Grilled Steak



It's grilling season!


I love to eat outdoors, and to grill some wonderful food!  What's better than a steak on a grill?  Nothing in my book...


Sometimes you just want a simple steak for dinner.  One that doesn't take long to make, doesn't require all the fancy smancy stuff, just a basic everyday steak.  Well here you go!  I've got a great recipe for you which gives you just that.


You can make this with any cut of meat, just choose your favorite.  The seasoning is simple, with three ingredients.  The technique is simple as well.  All you need is a hot grill, a long pair of tongs, and your steak of choice!  You're good to go!


Cooking the steak may be the hardest part.  Do you find yourself always questioning wether it is rare, medium, or well done?  Have you gotten the timing down yet?  It's can be a tricky things until you get the feel of the steak.


Kitchen Tips:  Make sure your meat is at room temperature before putting it on the grill.
How to test if a steak is done. (tips are from Williams-Sonoma.com)


Temperature Testing for Doneness
Insert an instant-read thermometer horizontally into the center of the steak. Be sure not to touch any bone, which could skew the reading. For hamburgers, cook at least to medium (145°), and many health experts say it’s smart to cook them to at least medium-well (160°).

The lower temperatures in each range apply to roasts, the higher temperatures to steaks. Roasts are removed from the heat at a lower temperature because the temperature rises more during a longer resting period. Cooking beef until well done is not recommended.

Very rare: remove from heat at 110º-120ºF; ideal temperature after resting: 120º-125ºF.
Rare: remove from heat at 115º-125ºF; ideal temperature after resting: 125º-130ºF.
Medium-rare: remove from heat at 125º-135ºF; ideal temperature after resting: 130º-140ºF.
Medium: remove from heat at 130º-140ºF; ideal temperature after resting: 145ºF.
Medium-well: remove from heat at 145º-160ºF; ideal temperature after resting: 155º-160ºF
.

Times for steak 1 - 1 1/2" thickness 

Very Rare4-5 minutes
Rare5-6 minutes
Medium Rare6-8 minutes
Medium7-10 minutes

Times for steak 1 3/4" - 2" thickness 


Very Rare5-6 minutes
Rare6-8 minutes
Medium Rare8-10 minutes
Medium10-12 minutes



Visually Testing for Doneness 

Judge the doneness of grilled beef visually by cutting into the thickest part. Rare beef will look reddish in the center, and medium will have a trace of pink. Cooking beef beyond medium causes it to dry out and become tough so use caution in the well done area.

Carry Over Cooking

All beef should rest for 3 to 15 minutes after grilling, depending on size, to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.  The internal temperature could rise as much as 5° to 10° as the meat sits, depending on size.  Keep this in mind, and remove beef from the grill when it is 5° to 10° shy of the desired temperature. You can always cook beef a little more, if needed.

I hope that these tips help you out!  So go out, buy some steaks and enjoy some great grilling.

As you can see mine is more like Medium-Well.  I like it Medium....but I got distracted with something on TV and left it on the grill too long! Oops, I hate when that happens!  It was still tasty though!



Simple Everyday Grilled Steak

serves 4

4 restaurant cut top sirloin steaks (or your favorite steak choice)
8 T worcestershire sauce
1-2 large storage bags
salt & pepper

Place the steaks and worcestershire sauce in one or two large storage bags. Marinate 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator. Remove steaks from marinade and discard remaining marinade. Allow steaks to come to room temperate, about 20 min, while you start up the grill.

Salt & pepper steaks for seasoning.

Cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes total for medium temperature.  Remove from the grill and allow to rest, tented with foil, for 5-10 minutes to redistributes the juices.



Cut steak against the grain, on an angle in long thin slices.  Serve.


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Southern Sundays


Happy Southern Sundays

It's beautiful outside today.  The sun is shining and the birds are all singing.  I'm ready to head out to a cooking class on grilling seafood.  It should be a great class and everyone can use some techniques on cooking fish and seafood on the grill.  Such a delicate food.  MGG LOVES LOVES LOVES fish.  I would say that he eats that more than chicken, and certainly more than beef.  Me, I don't care for it so much, which you may have noticed by my lack of fish dishes here.  I'm a beef girl at heart.  I love me some good steak!  But, I'm going to class to learn how to cook for my man, and possibly learn to like fish myself.  We'll see...it may be a hard sell.  What about you?  What is your favorite fish or seafood, and how do you like to prepare it?


So I hope everyone has a wonder Sunday, and an even better week!  


On to Southern Sundays....last week was a blast.  There were two outstanding recipes that everyone enjoyed above the rest.  I must say it was a cupcake week by far.  I would also like to feature one of my favorites this week as well...see below for my guilty pleasure pick of the week.

Congratulations on the featured recipes!
Please take a moment to visit the creators of these delectable treats and stop by their blog and say "Hi!".

by Winnie of Something Sweet
by Lisa of Flour Me with Love
My guilty pleasure of the week is...
by Ms. enPlace


Thank you all for joining...such great entries!

Let's party again and see what wonderful things you are cooking up this week!

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Link back to your specific recipe and not to your main site.
Link back to Southern Sundays either in your post, or grab my Southern Sundays Button located in the right side bar.
Please visit a few of the links in the post and say hello to your fellow bloggers!
Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!






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