Tag Archives: steak

What’s Keeping Me Awake?

I have never thought much about food and sleep.  I know if I drink a caffeinated drink after noon, I will often find myself staring at the ceiling at midnight going, “Why did I do that?” But, did you know that food  too can affect your sleep?  At a time in my life when sleep seems more elusive and yet more important all at the same time, I decided to research what food can keep you awake. Other than the obvious coffee, you should also avoid chocolate.  I know, that is a terrible thing to say, but chocolate, especially dark … Continue reading →

Christmas Dinner: Surf and Turf

Not everyone is headed over the river and through the woods to spend Christmas with grandma, grandpa and 25 other relatives. Some clans actually spend time in their own homes, with their immediate family members celebrating the holiday minus parents, in-laws and second cousins. If you are one of the millions of families who has decided to go at it alone this holiday season you might be interested in the following festive recipes. They are spectacularly decadent and prove that you don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant or to another person’s home to enjoy a mouthwatering holiday meal. … Continue reading →

Mediterranean-Style Rib Eye Steaks and Garlic Butter Shrimp

With summer rapidly drawing to a close many families are putting the finishing touches on their vacations. Sadly, winter marshmallow roasts around the living room fireplace will soon replace the outdoor BBQs that have become an evening staple for some clans. Bidding good-bye to summer is never easy (especially if you live in the Upper Midwest), which is why I like to ease the pain by grilling out as much as possible during these last weeks of August. The following recipes make for delicious Surf ‘n’ Turf meal. The first dish is a Mediterranean-style Ribeye Steak infused with classic flavors … Continue reading →

Presidential Chili

Make that Presidential Hopeful Chili. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama just wrapped up a weeklong vacation to his boyhood hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii and while he was in paradise he dined on a local favorite—-Hawaiian-style chili. Not once, but twice, according to news reports. I don’t blame the U.S. Senator from Illinois. Like Obama I was born and raised in Hawaii and it’s no secret that the Islands are home to some of the best chili in the world. (And unlike here in the Midwest fast food chains don’t yank the hearty dish from its menus during the summer months.) What … Continue reading →

Simple Steak Recipe and the World’s Easiest Healthy Dessert

I’ve been on a steak kick recently. Perhaps, it’s because I am planning to prepare the choice cut of meat for a get together my family has been invited to. Regardless, I am surprised by how many simple recipes exist for a piece of meat that I have long associated with a raise (or other financial windfall) and labor (hauling out the grill and carefully preparing individual steaks to everyone’s desired doneness is a sweaty process). The recipe I am planning to take to the weekend get together is clear cut and while I have yet to prepare it I … Continue reading →

Sizzling Steak Tacos with Mango Salsa

How often do you prepare steak for a weekday dinner? In a previous blog I revealed that making steak in the middle of the week is not a common occurrence in my home. But, during the summer months it’s not uncommon for some home cooks to throw a few steaks on the grill mid-week. If you are one of these lucky folks then you might consider making the following recipe. These Sizzling Steak Tacos are hot and spicy thanks to some ground cumin and garlic. The simple ingredients give the steak a welcome kick. Meanwhile, the fresh mango salsa has … Continue reading →

Mid Week Steak Dinner

Thanks to my generous grandparents (most notably my gourmet cook grandfather) I grew up eating steak every Saturday night. Consequently, I always considered the delicious cut of meat to be a weekend treat. But, these days steak is affordable enough (depending on the cut) and recipes are plentiful enough to create amazingly tasty meaty dishes in the middle of the week. The following steak recipes are simple enough to prepare even on a night when you get home from the office later than expected. The first one, which features beef tenderloin steaks swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce, can be … Continue reading →

Cultural Smorgasbord—-Mexican Rib Eye Steaks and German Brats with a Twist

I grew up in Hawaii, which is well known for its cultural diversity and equally varied cuisines. In the Aloha State it’s not unusual to have a breakfast of Japanese rice, Portuguese sausage and Hawaiian sweetbread; lunch of Filipino Chicken Adobo and Chinese noodles; and dinner consisting of Italian pasta and kalbi (Korean short ribs). As we countdown to Independence Day I thought it would be appropriate to salute our nation’s wonderfully rich cuisine with the following ethnic dishes that can be easily grilled up for a classic Fourth of July picnic. The first recipe features an All-American rib eye … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Picnic Favorites: Super Steak Sandwiches and Strawberry Watermelon Salad

You don’t have to host a backyard blowout to show your pride for our wonderful country this Fourth of July. Rather, a simple family picnic can be just as patriotic. Just remember to pack enough mouthwatering creations for the entire clan and then sit back and watch others set off colorful fireworks as you dine on your delectable dishes. Some of my family’s favorites are listed below. The first is my dad’s signature sandwich. It features one of his all-time favorite ingredients—-steak. But not only do the toppings for this kicked up sandwich complement the star ingredient, the type of … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Grill—-Marinated Steaks and Chocolate Burritos

This is it. For the past few days I have been posting some of my family’s all-time favorite grill recipes. Chicken, shrimp, steak… you name it and we’ve probably tried to grill it in years past. But today is the day that I finally reveal what we will be grilling up this Memorial Day. I’m combining two of my favorite ingredients—-balsamic vinegar and rosemary–to make a killer marinade for steaks. It’s so simple and so incredibly delicious I wouldn’t be surprised if you decide to make it a summer staple. I will be topping our steaks with some sautéed mushrooms … Continue reading →