Steak Salad

I don't know that a salad counts as cooking, but this was good, dang it, and it's my blog.  It could have been a lot better though.  Steak is not my job.  I don't do steak.  David is in charge of steak.  However, due to the below freezing temperatures and the fact I decided to do this after he had gone to bed, I had to figure it out.

First, I marinated the steak in garlic herb marinade.  I seared it after heating a little bit of oil on medium high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side then I put it in the over and....overcooked it.

So.

Don't do that.

Anyway, this also included:
Spinach/Spring Mix Combo
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Avocado
Basalmic Marinated Cherry Tomatoes
Shiitake Mushrooms
Basalmic Reduction Drizzle
Homemade Ranch Dressing.

I think I'll have to make this again. And again. And again.  But with better steak. :)

Jessica's Chili

It's soup season.  I love making a pot of soup.  Some of my favorites are chicken tortilla soup, black bean taco soup and, of course, chili.  This recipe is my own.  Bits and pieces taken from here and there until I was satisfied.  Here it is!

2 lbs ground meat (turkey/bison/beef)

1 medium onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 oz) can pinto beans

1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans

1 (15 oz) can black beans

1 (12) bottle of beer (are you really surprised?)

1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth

1 (6 oz can) tomato paste

1 (4.5) can chopped green chilies (I only use half of the can)

1 can diced tomatoes

2 Tbsp chili powder

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground red pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp hot sauce

Optional garnish: Shredded cheese, chopped onion, sour cream, parsley

Start cooking chopped onions over medium heat, after 4 minutes add garlic, after another minute, add ground meat.  Cook until meat is cooked and onion is tender.  Drain and return to soup pot.  Drain and rinse canned beans.  Seriously.  Have you ever touched canned beans? They're slimy and gross and should never be added to anything before being rinsed off. Add beans to pot. Add remaining ingredients except option garnishes.  Bring all to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 2-3 hours or until thickened.

Add desired garnishes.  Serve with cornbread/crackers and enjoy!

3-Envelope.....Anything

The best thing about crockpot meals is that they require little to no work when you get home. Fortunately, this can mean the work has to be done first thing in the morning and I am NOT a morning person.  The idea of getting up early to prepare food that I'm not going to get to eat for 10 hours is not one that sets well with me.  With a 3-Envelope meal, you can get this meal started without even setting your alarm clock back.  If you can remember the name of the recipe, you can probably remember the recipe.  You'll need: The meat of your choice, 1 cup water and 3 envelopes of seasoning, usually a ranch packet, an italian seasoning packet, and a gravy packet the corresponds with the type of meat you are using.

Example:

Three Envelope Roast

1 Roast

1 Cup Water

1 Envelope Italian Seasoning

1 Envelope Ranch Seasoning

1 Envelope Beef Gravy Mix

Done!  The great thing about this is you don't have to stick to the recipe. At all. (Not that I ever do anyway.)  You can use chicken instead of a roast.  You can use an Onion Soup Mix instead of the Ranch.  I've tried it all of these ways and loved them all.  There are two warnings that come with this recipe: If you're trying to keep your sodium down, this is probably not the recipe for you AND.... make extra.