ZOMGooooood Stuff

A couple of evenings ago, I asked Hubby what he would like to have for dinner the following day. I always ask, and usually he responds with, “Anything is fine”, which is great. The other night he had an actual request, though: a cream-based dish I hadn’t made in at least a decade.

The man is patient, I’ll give him that.

Anyway, I searched for the recipe and finally found it! I was thrilled because this dish is not for anyone wanting to watch their health. It’s that good!! And to make things even better, very easy to make.

Ok, it’s a crappy photo of it. You’ll just have to trust me on the delish, ok?

Paprika Beef

• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 1½ lbs. flank or skirt steak (I use sirloin, though)
• 2 C. heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp. sweet paprika (or sharp, if you like it spicy)
• 1 tsp. salt

Heat 2 tsp. of the butter in a pan on medium heat until bubbly. Add half the steak and cook until done to your liking (we like it medium rare here), about three to four minutes per side. Remove to a platter, and do the same with the other half of the steak. Remove to the platter as well. Let it cool a bit, then cut crosswise into strips ¼ inch thick and about two inches long. Or you can cube it.

Raise the heat to high. Add the cream, paprika, and salt to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk until well-blended, about four to six minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the remaining butter and then return the steak pieces to the pan along with the accumulated juices. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until heated through, about three minutes. Serve over buttered noodles or rice. Season to taste.

I’m going to see if it is slow-cooker adaptable. For now, I’m going to enjoy leftovers 😀

Thursday Never List

First week of school, and already I feel like I have signed enough paperwork to file an appeal to the SCOTUS. I don’t know why I was so excited for them to go back to school.

Oh right… peace and tranquillity. I can live with signing stuff for a while.

Anyway, it’s Thursday, and time for another Never List. This is a list that evolves, though, because it centers around food. I’m not talking about rare stuff like balut or haggis. I’m talking about foods you have access to eat on most occasions. There are some things that will ALWAYS stay on this list, no matter what. Some y’all will like, others you will probably ban just from the description. So, here are my top five of foods I’ll never, ever eat.

#5- Raw Oysters

Seriously, what is the attraction to that? It looks like you are ingesting an alien larva.

#4- Okra

The slime alone is enough to send warning bells through my digestive tract.

#3- Liver and Onions

Because I really don’t care for fava beans and chianti.

#2- Gumbo

Not only does it taste like dirt, it just sounds like Dumbo’s gangbanging twin.

#1- Cabbage/ Brussels Sprouts

If I wanted sulfur in my diet, I would eat rocks. The thought of ingesting either of these foods is enough to turn my stomach. I would rather shave my legs with a weedwacker than eat that stuff.

I am sure some will find my list a bit on the what-the-hades side, but I am more than sure some of the food y’all wouldn’t eat is on my list of noms 😀

My Evening as Head of the G-7

And what an evening it was!

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting friends and family, and spending quality time at  The Kemah Steak Company. Situated on a quiet street in Kemah, Texas, the restaurant is vibrant and eclectic, with warmth abounding throughout, from the gleaming copper bar to the settees and mismatched tables. Though most of the areas are set up for cozy conversation, they can also accommodate larger groups as well. That was fortuitous, since there were eight of us that evening. And one of their prized features is the “G-7 Table”.

This table was once the property of former President George H.W. Bush. This was the table used for a G-7 summit, back when there were only seven industrialized nations: the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan. I can only assume the last seat was occupied by Millie. The table is a beautiful discussion piece, but not as awesome as what was placed upon it. The restaurant has an ample wine list which includes imports from all over the world. Trust me when I say there is a wine here for every one.

Trying to Put Off for Tomorrow What I Can Do the Day After That

Sketchy blogging lately, I know. Sorry, but my Madre is in town, cooking and having a ton of fun with us, and that’s just not to be missed. Seriously, how often do you get the chance to eat for hours while laughing about everything?

Anyway, this week I shall be trying to get caught up on everything I have neglected, including laundry and cleaning. And maybe do some cooking for a change. I feel like I owe my mom and sis a night off from all the cooking and cleaning. We need some comfort food today. I’m thinking meatloaf and mashed potatoes and steamed veggies and homemade rolls.

I’m also thinking I will throw out the bath scale.

And quite possibly my jeans.

Anyway, I’m still murdering books and will be posting the outcome and how-to over at Junk and Glue. Eventually. Little One is beyond thrilled with the sculptures and I am beyond thrilled she has kept her room clean. I know I am rambling but I can’t help it. It has been a crazy week and weekend. Still, I have to get the house is good shape before vacation so I don’t have to deal with it when I return. Nothing worse than having to clean house after frying your skin while having fun fishing.

I swear I will have a more coherent post sometime this week. Until then, enjoy the day!

So Far, So Good

Except when it comes to my waistline.

Mom has been cooking lunch and dinner every day. And like a dutiful daughter, I have been rising up to the challenge and eating lunch and dinner, every day.

Of course, now my jeans are trying to rise to the challenge of containing me.

The upside of this is that I haven’t had to cook dinner since she arrived. That is awesome in my book, and the reason I don’t dwell on the downside of this. I have been attempting to cook more Puerto Rican dishes, but let’s face it: they aren’t a patch on my mom’s cooking. Still, my family likes it enough to enjoy leftovers the following day, so that’s saying something. But I can’t let my mom do all the cooking while she’s here. I want her to enjoy her time with the family. So I shall be cooking this weekend for the clan. Not all weekend, mind you. Just dinners and one breakfast, maybe. And first request? Beer braised beef.

Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.

Because it’s beef, in beer. How can you go wrong???

Anyway, time for me to run. I have to go to the grocery store. Again. And to the liquor store. Again.

It’s for a good cause 😉

Ever Feel Like You Have Nothing to Say, but Feel the Need to Type Some Sort of Post Anyway?

Yeah, neither do I.

So, since it has been a while, I give what is possibly the most awesome U.S. soldier, EVAH!!

Platoon Sergeant in Iraq, wearing Tartan Wilson, (found here). EPICNESS!!

Now, go fan yourselves 😉

In Defense of the Cupcake

Yesterday I was perusing food blogs and came across my interwebnet friend Marilla over at Cupcake Rehab for some delicious dessert recipes. As her blog title suggests, she loves her some cupcakes. But that isn’t all she makes. Jams, jellies, pickling, pies, sauces, cookies, breads (ZOMG THE BREADS!!!)… it’s all good at her site. But sometimes she feels the need to clarify her stance on the humble cupcake.

I love cupcakes. I won’t apologize for it, I don’t feel bad when a snobby food blogger scoffs at them in favor of a green tea cookie with local honey glaze or lemon curry marmalade, and I don’t care if the people I reading this are tired of them. I am not. Besides, what is there NOT TO LIKE? It’s a small, individual cake. Just for you. That you don’t have to share (!).

And she is absolutely right! What is NOT to like about a cupcake??

Each one is an individual ray of sunshine, just waiting to send your taste buds into Sugar Valhalla. Honestly, peeling off the liner heightens the anticipation of biting into the velvety sweetness by a factor of twelve and seven orders of magnitude. And think about it: no cutting, no crumbs, no messing up the icing, no fighting over the decorations, no “I want more icing!”, no mess.  Choosing a cupcake is a symbol of individuality. YOU pick the one that speaks to you. That’s totally different than a cake that screams conformity.

Don’t get me wrong: I like cake, too. But the cupcake appeals to the rebel inside us, telling the rest of the world, “THIS ONE IS MINE, ALL MINE!!” And sometimes you need to have something that’s only yours, even if it is a cupcake 😀

How I Took Home a Chef

Well, as y’all may recall, this past Saturday I went to see Chef Curtis Stone, the original Take Home Chef, cook and be all dreamy. Hubby, our friend Flower Girl and I headed out early to get a good parking spot. I had no hopes of getting good seating, but the stars, they were aligning. As usual, I’m getting ahead of myself.

We get to the outlet mall, and find a close parking space to the enormous tent. There is no line to purchase the book, so Flower Girl and I make our purchases, and proceed to enter the tent. People are milling about, and there is a KitchenAid™ demonstration going on, as well as several local restaurants and wineries showcasing their wares and providing samples. Between bites of Caprese salad in a wonderful vinaigrette and a few swigs of Riesling, we encountered a photo booth. AWESOME!! My friend and I hurry over to have our photos taken, and because we are the first to try out the Photo Toaster® (yes, that’s the name of it), the videographer asks if he can also take our photos for the event. Sure!! I wore makeup in case I would ever get the chance to get close to Curtis Stone. I can dream.

By this time people are starting to be seated, so we go back in the tent and get seats middle right. After what seemed like forever but in reality was about fifteen minutes, Curtis Stone came onstage.

We Need Some Happy

This week has had its share of tragedy. We need some happy around here!! So tomorrow I am going to head out to the mall to see Curtis Stone cook and be all dreamy.

Why yes, I would love for you to follow me all over the grocery store and then cook my dinner, Curtis.

I can dream whatever I want, you know.

The best part? The Le Creuset™ store will be having a special sale in conjunction with his appearance here. And y’all remember the $50, right? The stars, they are aligning!!

Y’all have a great Friday 😉

When Excuses Become Reasons

One of the most awesome things about my German friend is the fact that she loves, LOVES to cook. I mean it. The woman is a marvel in the kitchen. But one drawback is that we have nine people in the house, of which four eat like eight, which means cooking large amounts of food.

And that, my friends, is a reason to buy a bigger pot.

Yes, meine Freunde, I have the opportunity– nay, the obligation, to purchase a new Le Creuset™ dutch oven. Besides, it was my anniversary this past week, so there’s another reason to get it.

How many excuses is that now?

Doesn’t matter. I’m off the get my new pot, because my friend is in need of it like RIGHT NOW!! And who am I to impede her culinary artistry?? 😉