Flank steak is a great summer beef entree.  It’s easy and serves a crowd.  I also served this recipe on the fourth.  The marinade is delicious.  It is based on two recipes, one from Serious Eats and one from Simply Recipes.  Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS:
• ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 anchovy filets
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 medium shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 whole flank steak, about 2 pounds

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Combine Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, anchovies, garlic, mustard, tomato paste, and vegetable oil in a blender and blend until smooth, creamy, and emulsified.

• Transfer 1/3 of marinade to a small container, add chives and shallots, stir to combine, and reserve.

• Place flank steak inside a gallon-sized zipper-lock bag with remaining marinade. Press out air, seal bag, and allow meat to marinate, turning occasionally, for at least 1 hour and up to 12.

• Take the steak out of the marinade bag and sprinkle generously on all sides with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. The salt and pepper will help form a savory crust on the steak.

• Place steak on the hot grill. If you are using a gas grill, cover the grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side. Half way through grilling on each side, turn the steak 90° so that you get more grill marks.

• Flank steak is best eaten medium rare; well done will make it too tough. When the steak has cooked to your preferred level of doneness, remove from the grill and place on a cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil to hold in the heat and to keep the steak from drying out, and let rest for 10 minutes.

• Make very thin slices, against the grain, and at a slight diagonal so that the slices are wide.

Serves 6.

 

 

recipe: ice cream whopper dessert

July 9th, 2013 | Posted by admin in Desserts | RECIPES - (0 Comments)

This is such an easy delicious dessert for a crowd.  I usually revisit this recipe in the summer when ice cream just seems to be the perfect ending to a barbecue.  This can also be made a few days ahead of time so when cooking for a crowd, it helps.  I have also used Butter Fingers instead of Whoppers… but I love the flavor of malt so this is my favorite candy to use.  But be creative… this is just so easy and sooo good!

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
• 12 ice cream sandwiches (2 boxes)
• 2 containers of Cool Whip
• 1 (milk) container of Whoppers
• 1 container of Whopper Chocolate Malt Syrup (or regular chocolate sauce)

DIRECTIONS:
• Using a 9”x11.5” glass dish, place ice cream sandwiches in bottom of dish.  See the pictures, as I usually have to cut a few to fit and cover the entire dish.

• Crush the Whoppers place in a plastic bag and crush.

• Defrost the Cool Whip.  Mix with ½ of the crushed Whoppers.

• Drizzle the sandwiches with the Whopper Chocolate Malt Syrup.

• Then smooth the Cool Whip over the ice cream sandwiches and sauce.

• Next sprinkle the crushed Whoppers on top of the Cool Whip and drizzle with more sauce.  Cover and freeze.

Serve and enjoy!!

 

I originally had this recipe at Martha’s house and loved it since then I have seen several versions and have continued to keep it in my summer dessert file.

 

 

My next favorite recipe was a wonderful and easy side dish.  I’m giving credit to my son Josh for saying you have to try the couscous and chicken recipe in the latest Bon Appetit.  He was raving about the flavors… and he was right.  This is one of my new favorite side dishes… again very easy to make and a perfect time of year to use fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs from your garden or neighborhood farmers market.

 

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 ½ cups Israeli couscous
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
• 1 English hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and finely chopped
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes (I like to mix up the colors)
• 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped mint
• Kosher salt & pepper to taste

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Cook couscous according to package, drain.

• Rinse with cold water and drain well.

• Whisk shallot, oil, and lemon juice in a large bowl.

• Add couscous cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and mint… add more lemon juice to taste with salt & pepper.

Makes 6 servings.

 

NOTE: Rinsing the cooked couscous stops the cooking and prevents it from sticking together as it cools.

DO AHEAD: This recipe can be made ahead and stored for a day in the fridge, but add the herbs just before serving.

 

 

recipe: sambal chicken skewers

July 8th, 2013 | Posted by admin in Entrées | RECIPES - (0 Comments)

I have been slightly preoccupied with planting this past month and my new recipes posts have been slim.  So today I want to share my Fourth of July barbecue recipes.  I’ll start with the delicious chicken recipe and sauce.  It’s found in the current issue of Bon Appetit and this may be my favorite marinade of all time.  You’ll probably need to shop for the ingredients but the extra time is well worth it.  I love chicken thighs… they are moist, succulent, tasty, and soooo cheap.  Let’s face it, when cooking for a crowd sometimes it’s nice not to spend a fortune on meat.  The recipe calls for cubing the thighs and putting the meat on skewers, but I like them whole and grilled.

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
• ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup hot chili paste
• ¼ cup of fish sauce
• ¼ cup Sriracha
• 2 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger
• 1 ½ LB skinless boneless chicken thighs cut into 1½ – 2″ pieces
• 8 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 1 hour)

 

 

DIRECTIONS:
• Prepare grill at medium-high heat.

• Whisk the first 6 ingredients together then coat and toss the chicken pieces and thread 4-5 pieces onto a skewer.

• Transfer the marinade to a small sauce pan and bring to a boil.

• Reduce heat and simmer until reduced by ½ (1 cup) 7-10 minutes.

• Grill chicken turning and basting with the sauce 8-10 minutes.

Ready to serve, enjoy!!!

 

 

 

farmers market finds

July 3rd, 2013 | Posted by admin in UPDATES - (0 Comments)

I love carrots and you can’t beat the color!  The market is a visual feast.

I slice and sauté green garlic with veggies or pasta… a great flavor!

A bunch of beets… beautiful!

 

 

shade container

July 3rd, 2013 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

If I had my choice, shade versus sun, I’d always choose shade.  I love to plant shade pots using difference textures and colors of greens with soft colors… ferns, fuchsia, begonias, and coleus.  Just perfect!

 

 

summer sun container

July 2nd, 2013 | Posted by admin in FLOWERS | Outdoor - (0 Comments)

Oranges and pinks a perfect pick for the hot summer sun.

 

 

The fourth of July is just around the corner but red, white, and blue works all year.  These dishes, napkins, and mats can be purchased at Material Possessions in Winnetka and Chicago.