Grilled Orange Salsa Steak

grilledsteak

What You Need:

1/2 C of soy sauce
1/2 C green onions, chopped and divided
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
2 lbs. boneless sirloin steak, 1 inch thick
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and chopped
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon, chopped
1 tbsp lime, chopped
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cilantro
1 tsp jalapeno pepper, minced
1/2 tsp lemon peel, grated
1/2 tsp lime peel, grated
1/8 tsp salt

How to Make It:

Put the soy sauce and 1/4 C of the green onions into a large sealable bag.
Add the lime juice, brown sugar, hot sauce and garlic, seal the bag and shake to blend.
Place the steak into the marinade, seal the bag and turn to coat.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally to keep the meat well covered.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Remove the steak from the marinade, place it on the grill and discard the marinade.
Grill the steak for 5 minutes.
Turn the steak and grill for 5 minutes longer or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees for a medium done steak.
Cool the steak and slice across the grain.
Place the remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until blended together well.
Sever the salsa over the slices of steak.

Makes 4 servings

The citrus salsa adds a little zing to this delicious grilled steak leaving you with no need for that heavy steak sauce. The marinade gives you a steak that is moist and full of flavor. To grill the steak to medium rare the meat thermometer should read 145 degrees and for well done it should read 170 degrees.

Almond Laced Strawberry Spinach Salad

What You Need:

8 C of fresh spinach, torn
2 pints of fresh strawberries, sliced
3 ripe bananas cut into small chunks
1/2 C of almonds, toasted and slivered
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 tbsp + 2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp + 2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 C onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds

How to Make It:

Put the spinach into a salad bowl.
Spread the strawberries over the spinach.
Add the bananas and almonds and toss to combine well.
Place the oil, and vinegar into the blender.
Add the sugar, mustard, salt and onions.
Cover and blend until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Add the poppy seeds and blend just until they are mixed into the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat all the ingredients well.

Makes 14 servings

This fresh salad is a great addition to any cookout, potluck supper or just to have when company comes over for dinner. The poppy seed dressing adds just enough tang to make this salad one they will ask for over and over again. Raw fruits and vegetables are very nutritious and a healthy addition to any meal.

Savory Roasted Beef Tenderloin

roastbeef

What You Need:

1 C of soy sauce
3/4 C of beef broth
1/2 C of olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
1 (3 1/2 lb) beef tenderloin

How to Make It:

In a large resealable bag mix together the soy sauce, beef broth, oil and vinegar.
Place the hot sauce, garlic, pepper, thyme and salt into the bag and shake to blend.
Take out 1 C of the marinade and refrigerate for basting.
Add the bay leaf to the bag.
Place the tenderloin into the bag and seal.
Turn the bag to coat the meat well with the marinade.
Refrigerate overnight.
Set the oven temperature to 425 degrees and let the oven preheat.
Place a meat rack into the center of a roasting pan.
Place the meat onto the rack and discard the marinade.
Baste the meat with the reserved marinade.
Roast the meat for 1 hour or until it is cooked the way you like, being sure to baste often.
Allow the meat to stand at least 15 minutes before carving.

Makes 6 servings

Roasting meat brings out the full flavor and marinating it leaves the roasted meat nice and juicy. To determine if your roast is cooked the way you like it use an internal meat thermometer. For well done meat the temperature should reach 170 degrees. If you like your meat cooked medium the temperature should reach 160 degrees and for medium rare is should reach 145 degrees. An eye of round roast may be substituted for the tenderloin if you prefer.

Portobello Mushroom Salad with Balsamic Dressing

oilvinegar

oilvinegarWhat You Need:

3 T of olive oil, divided
2 C of Portobello mushrooms, sliced
1/2 t crushed red pepper
3 C mixed greens, torn
1 C of mozzarella cheese, cubed
3 T of balsamic vinegar

How to Make It:

Pour 1 T of the oil into a skillet placed over medium heat.
Stir in the mushrooms and peppers and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
Remove the pan from the heat.
Place the greens into a salad bowl.
Top with the mushrooms and peppers.
Sprinkle with the cheese and toss to blend all the ingredients well.
Whisk the remaining oil and the vinegar together well.
Pour over the salad and toss again to coat.

Makes 4 servings

If you don’t like the taste of balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar may be substituted. Try this salad as a beginner for a steak dinner or better yet as a main course for dinner or lunch.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 2 minutes
Total Time: approximately 12 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 400; Fat 14g; Saturated Fat 5g; Carbohydrates 20g; Fiber 1g;
Protein 18g; Cholesterol 59 mg; Sodium 1,270 mg

Sweet and Sour BBQ Chicken Quarters

bbqchicken

bbqchickenWhat You Need:

6 chicken leg quarters
3/4 C of ketchup
1/2 C of orange juice
1/4 C brown sugar, packed
1/4 C red wine vinegar
1/4 C of olive oil
4 t fresh parsley, minced
2 t Worcestershire sauce
1 t garlic salt
1/2 t pepper
2 T + 2 t of cornstarch
1/4 C of water

How to Make It:

Cut the leg quarters at the joint then place them in the crock pot.
Whisk the ketchup, orange juice and brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
Whisk in the vinegar, oil, parsley and Worcestershire sauce.
Add the garlic salt and pepper and whisk to blend in well.
Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken and turn the chicken to coat completely.
Cook covered on low temperature 6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.
Remove the chicken to a warmed serving platter.
Dip out 2 C of the cooking sauce from the slow cooker and pour into a pan.
In a small bowl whisk together until smooth the cornstarch and water.
Place the pan over medium heat and stir in the cornstarch water.
Bring to a brisk boil and stir constantly for 2 minutes or until thick.
Just before serving pour the sauce over the chicken.

Makes 12 servings

If you’re looking for something a little different why not try this for Christmas. Cook it in the slow cooker while you prepare the rest of the meal. Kids love this dish. Separated chicken legs and thighs can be used for quicker preparation.

Awesome Asparagus with Vinaigrette

asparagus-bunch

asparagus-bunchWhat You Need:

1 red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/4 lbs. fresh asparagus, trimmed

How to Make It:

Preheat the grill for medium temperature.
Roast the bell pepper on the heated grill for 10 minutes or until charred, turning often.
Remove the pepper and place it in a sealed plastic bag and steam for 10 minutes.
Cut slits in the pepper and drain the juice into the blender.
Peel the pepper, remove the seeds and coarsely chop.
Place the chopped pepper and the cloves into the blender.
Pour 2 tbsp of the oil and vinegar into the blender.
Add in the basil, salt and pepper.
The mixture is pureed until very smooth.
Place the asparagus into a serving bowl.
Pour the remaining oil over the asparagus and toss to coat.
Grill the asparagus 8 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.
Return the grill asparagus to the serving bowl.
Drizzle the asparagus with the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.