Okay, Kav, I know this post isn't for you. But I still love you, tofu and all.
So my guys were gone this weekend. That meant I finally removed all traces of Christmas, watched a lot of Food Network and HGTV and napped through half of the Green Bay/Seattle game.
Yes, I should have gotten some writing in, too, but since I got my proposal for book four in on deadline and my copy edits in a week before they were due, I decided I was allowed to be a little lazy. (I don't think that word even exists in Ruthy's vocabulary, which always makes me feel like such a schlep.)
Nonetheless, it was a good weekend. And I got to eat whatever I wanted.
The first night, I had brie stuffed mushrooms, but I forgot to take pictures (except for this one I texted a friend to make her jealous), so I will have to share that recipe with you later.
But it was SOOOOOO good.
The next night, I wanted beef. Steak to be exact.
Partly because I had this great new salt I wanted to try.
There's this great little spice and tea shop in downtown Grapevine. My son and I go in there and sniff all kinds of things. It's a very interesting experience.
Over the Christmas holiday, we discovered all of these different sea salts. Hickory Smoked, Chipotle, Cocoa (yes, cocoa) and this Applewood Smoked, just to name a few.
He and I both drooled over this one. But, we had yet to try so, while the kitten was away...
I decided to keep it very simple, because I wanted to see if I could taste the smoky flavor in the salt.
So I added about a tablespoon of butter to a pan and let it melt over medium-high heat.
I seasoned the meat with the Applewood Smoked Sea Salt and a little bit of pepper.
Then placed it in the hot skillet and cooked for five minutes.
After five minutes, I turned it over for another four minutes.
I like my meat medium (pink in the middle), so if you prefer medium-well, you'd want to add another minute or two.
Tah-dah!
Throw in a salad and that's my kinda meal.
And as I'm typing this, I'm thinking let's go again.
Yes, I do love me some beef.
But about the salt. Yes, it added a wonderful flavor to the beef, though I can't say I really tasted any smoke flavor. Perhaps a tiny bit, but the meat wasn't infused with a heavy smokiness.
It does make me eager to take another trip to the spice shop, though. They have some incredible seasoning blends. Not to mention the sea salts. I'm thinking that Chipotle Sea Salt would be awesome mixed in some brownies. Or sprinkled atop some dark chocolate whatever.
What's your favorite dinner for one?
I would have taken that steak and sliced it up. Added candied pecans and feta cheese and romaine and made a to die for salad. Thanks for the idea!! Hehe
ReplyDeleteOoo, that does sound good, Tina. Especially the candied pecans. I do love them with either feta or blue cheese. Still, there's something comforting about a nice slab of protein.
DeleteTina, the salad sounds great too! I love a combo salad with grilled chicken or steak, and it's perfect for low-carb times! I never thought I'd get used to life with fewer carbs, and the oatmeal coconut cake was a DOWNFALL LAST WEEK, but I'm all in on the meat and salad combo!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of downfalls... Spicy Nacho Doritos. The kids came in with a bag yesterday. Evil twits. I ate and ate and ate. Then told them to hide the bag in one of their rooms. :)
DeleteNaomi called me out on Seekerville too, which means youse all know I'm a BRAT.... sigh. I will try to tone down the know-it-all-ness.... #annoyingfriend
ReplyDelete:)
No, no, no, Ruthy. Do not tone down. Your caffeine-fueled energy helps hold me accountable. Matter of fact, Lisa Jordan and I were just talking about you this morning. We decided that you should offer Ruthy's Boot Camp to teach us to be more productive. We love you just the way you are, Ruthy.
DeleteI saw something about being able to cook a frozen steak that incorporates some of these steps. I am so going to try it out. ManO will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Foreman grills are good for cooking frozen meat, Julie. And it's surprising how juicy they are.
DeleteIs ManO a beef guy? I like it more than my husband does. I should have married a cattle rancher because I could eat it every day. Instead, he's the one telling me we eat too much red meat. To which I take offense. We maybe have red meat 3-4 times a month. Unless you count venison, which I don't since it's so lean. Even so, we eat more chicken than anything. Matter of fact, I think I've burned out my youngest son. He wrinkles his nose every time I say we're having chicken.
He was until his stroke. Now I have to add more iron to my diet because we've been so strict. Love a good steak.
DeleteThere's no such thing as too much red meat. That's all I'm saying. :)
DeleteWhat Jan said. :)
DeleteLOL, yes, well tofu is an acquired taste. Well, actually it doesn't have any taste, it acquires the flavour of whatever you cooked it with. Gee, I guess that means that you could have grilled some tofu with that steak as well and you never would have noticed. Bwahahahaha! Glad you enjoyed your lazy weekend. Bet they don't happen very often at your house.
ReplyDeleteHey, we'll sprinkle it with some applewood smoked sea salt and fry it in butter. Who knows how good it might be, Kav. ;)
DeleteI just realized I am talking about sauteed mushrooms tomorrow. At least I can count you as a lover not a hater.
ReplyDeleteIn Sunday school years ago, one of the teachers was talking about the differences between men and women. Something he said has stayed with me ever since, "When men go out of town, women stay home and eat a sandwich. When women go out of town, men will go to a restaurant and get a steak." Things have changed. Women will eat a salad! But I find this is true. Good for you!!!!
Yes, I do love me some mushies, Julie, so I can't wait to see what you've got. I don't understand why so many people are down on them. They're a great source of vitamin D, too.
DeleteWhen my guys are gone, it's a opportunity for me to either splurge or to fix the things they don't like.
YUM. I love me some beef, too. That looks like an ideal home alone night to me. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the chipotle salt would be so good on caramel brownies!
I forgot about the caramel, Missy, but you're right. That would be amazing. Hmm...might need to give that a whirl. Just as soon as I make another trip to the spice store, that is. :)
DeleteThis looks fabulous, Mindy!
ReplyDeleteWe're beef eaters at our house. I just ordered this year's beef, so now I have to clear out the freezer to make room for it. Cooking a chicken today. I've been saving up beef bones for stock, so that will be simmering on the stove for a few days later this week. Then the week after that, I'll have to cook the last turkey from when they were on sale in November.
Oh, the sacrifices we make when cleaning out the freezer!
It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it. Like you said, Jan, sacrifices.
DeleteWhen we were at the ranch after Christmas, we went to visit a rancher friend and his wife. Now keep in mind that they butcher their own beef, hogs and venison. Lately, she's really gotten into making sausage with their venison, experimenting with all types of seasoning. Of course, it just kills us when she asks us to be her guinea pigs. NOT! Anyhoo, she had ground together some of their uncured bacon and venison. Oh. My. Word. Best burgers we've ever had. I SO have to talk her out of some more of that stuff. I also know what we'll be doing with some of our deer meat next year. :)