Southern Sundays

Happy Southern Sundays!

It's time to celebrate our country's Birthday! The 4th of July, Independence Day, is right around the corner.

I thought it would be fitting to have a themed linky party this week in honor. So please bring your best 4th of July recipes to the party and show off your favorite dishes!

Last week we had a super fun party.  We had two recipes that were outstanding with the crowd, and I'd love to feature them today.  Please take a moment to visit the creator's site and say "hi!"  They really put their heart into these dishes...and it shows!

Congratulations on this week's featured recipes!

Fried Green Tomatoes

By Deana of Country Momma Cooks

Decadent Chocolate Fudge Cake

By Winnie of Something Sweet

I want both of these...right now!

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

So remember this week we are having a themed party!  The theme is "4th of July dishes".

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

Guidelines:

Please become a follower by joining my site with Google Friends Connect in the right side bar.
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!

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!

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 Rare	4-5 minutes
Rare	5-6 minutes
Medium Rare	6-8 minutes
Medium	7-10 minutes

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

Very Rare	5-6 minutes
Rare	6-8 minutes
Medium Rare	8-10 minutes
Medium	10-12 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.