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Category Archives: Grilling

Whipping Up Some Whiskey Glazed Steak with Grilled Potatoes

If you are a meat-eater then steak is probably at the top of your list of foods that you love to have for dinner. We love steak in our house and while we each seem to have our favorite cuts (Michelle loves New York strip, Sean likes London broil and I like Rib-Eye) just about any type of steak can do really well for a meal if it’s prepared correctly. The big problem with steak of course is that it tends to be very expensive. I try to get it on sale when I can and make the most of some of the less-expensive, lower cuts of meat and make them work, which is why London broil can be such a great choice. If you prepare it right it can be just as tender as any other steak and it costs much less than what you will pay for tenderloin, rib-eye, strip steak or sirloin. Very often when I see steak recipes that I really like I look for ways to adapt it for lesser cuts of beef. That is what I did with this recipe from Guy Fieri of Food Network. The original recipe calls for flat-iron steaks, which can be kind of pricey around here. I decided to give it a try with a London broil I got on sale instead to see how it would come out. Also, since I don’t have a grill to cook everything outside, I had to break out my trust cast-iron grill pan for this one. I think it did just fine.

Whiskey Glazed Steak with Grilled Potatoes

1/2 cup whiskey, such as Jack Daniels ( I used Maker’s Mark myself, but whatever you have is good)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, smashed
Four 8-ounce flat-iron steaks, filet mignon steaks or other cut of steak ( I used a 2 pound London broil)
1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

If you are cooking on a grill, pre-heat a grill to medium-high heat. Whisk together the whiskey, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the oil and the garlic. Add the steak, turn a few times to coat the steak with the marinade and let it stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, quarter each potato lengthwise to form wedges and put them in a medium pot. Cover the potatoes with cold water to cover by 1-inch and add salt until the water tastes like sea water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes well and toss them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. Pour the marinade into a small pot and bring it to a boil. Boil the marinade for 2 to 3 minutes until it is slightly reduced, making sure the sugar does not burn, to make a glaze and sauce for the steak.

Grill the steaks until an internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer reads about 130 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with the boiled marinade several times in the last few minutes of grilling time. If you are cooking the filet mignon steaks or another cut of steak , you will need to increase your cooking time to account for the thicker cut of the meat. For the London broil, I cooked it for about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer the steak to a large plate to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. While the steaks grill, add the potatoes to the grill and grill until they are well-marked and crispy, turning to grill all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer the potato wedges to a bowl.

Toss the grilled potatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the chives, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Remove the garlic cloves from the remaining glaze and serve it drizzled over the steaks with the potatoes on the side.

Since I used my grill pan, I did the steak first and while it rested I put the potatoes on to grill them up. The glaze for the steak is a little on the sweet side and there is definite dominant flavor of the whiskey so if that’s not your thing the glaze might not be for you. However, I loved the flavor it imparted onto the steak and everyone else seem to really enjoy it as well. The potatoes were the big hit, with all of them getting gobbled up right away. The London broil worked out quite well with this dish so I think you could easily substitute in whatever cut of steak you prefer here to fit the recipe. I served it with some fresh green beans, sautéed onions and corn on the cob to round out the meal.

That’s all I have for today. Check back next time for another recipe. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day and enjoy your meal!

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Posted by on July 7, 2016 in Beef, Cooking, Dinner, Grilling, Potatoes

 

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Anytime is Burger Time! Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Pineapple

I love a good hamburger (and probably even a bad one). Burgers make a quick and easy meal, taste great and we always seem to think about them more in the summertime because it is the perfect time to grill. I like to cook burgers all year-long and since I don’t have an outdoor grill to use I make use of my trusty cast iron skillet, nonstick skillet or cast iron grill pan to get the job done for me. Having the same old traditional hamburger can get a little boring at times so I do like to vary things up now and then. That is why when I saw this recipe from the Tasting Table I knew I wanted to give it a try. The original recipe calls for using ground chicken, but I find ground chicken to be pretty bland. Ground turkey may not sound that much better to some people, but I use it a lot more because it seems to hold up better and takes on other flavors really well so I decided to substitute that into this recipe. Besides, I had just gotten some ground turkey on sale at the grocery store so this was the perfect way to use it.

Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Pineapple

For the Turkey Patties:

1¼ pounds ground turkey

¼ cup crème fraîche or sour cream

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

2 teaspoons chopped chervil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 eggs

1 shallot, minced

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the Caramelized Pineapple:

2 cups (12 ounces) finely chopped pineapple

1 cup white wine vinegar

2½ tablespoons honey

½ yellow onion, minced

1 cup water

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 hamburger rolls, toasted

Arugula, for garnish

To make the turkey patties: In a medium bowl, add all the turkey patty ingredients and mix them together until they are incorporated completely. With your hands, form 4 equal-sized patties from the mixture and place the patties on a plate; cover the plate with plastic wrap then chill the patties in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This will help them to firm up and hold together nicely during cooking.

Meanwhile, make the caramelized pineapple: In a large skillet set over medium heat, combine the pineapple, white wine vinegar, honey and onion. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the vinegar has completely evaporated, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Once the pineapple begins to caramelize, stir in the water. Simmer the mixture until the pineapple thickens to form a compote, another 6 to 8 minutes. Season the pineapple with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the burgers: In another large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey patties and cook, flipping once, until the patties are golden brown and their internal temperature reads 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

5. Assemble the burgers: On each toasted bun bottom, place a  turkey patty, then top each with a spoonful of the caramelized pineapple, a handful of arugula and the other bun half and serve.

This is probably one of the best turkey burger recipes I have tried. The turkey was cooked just right and it was moist and flavorful, something I always worry about with turkey burgers. I think the sour cream really helps to add moisture and flavor to the burger. The pineapple is great as well, though I did find that it took me more than 25 minutes to completely get all of the vinegar evaporated in the initial step. I took me more like 30 to 35 minutes, but it was okay with me. The pineapple came out nicely caramelized and was great on the burger. I could see using that type of pineapple for other dishes, like a pulled pork sandwich or even as a side dish for a pork dinner. Sean added a piece of cheddar cheese to his burger to round things off and really enjoyed it. I even I had enough turkey to make a couple of extra burgers that we could have for lunch the next day since I did not make them too large.

That’s all I have for today. Check back next time for another recipe. until then, enjoy the rest of your day and enjoy your meal!

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48 Memorial Day Dessert Ideas – Bon Appétit

What makes a great barbecue besides family, fun and food on the grill? An awesome dessert of course. There are all kinds of great dessert options you can try that go beyond the standard fruit salad or store-bought pie. Bon Appetit has 48 Memorial Day desserts for you to try, but these desserts are great for any summer get-together. Check it out and give them a try!

Source: 48 Memorial Day Dessert Ideas – Bon Appétit

 

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Cinco de Mayo Taco Recipes – Bon Appétit

Tacos make a a great dinner any night of the year. They are full of flavor, use fresh ingredients and are pretty easy to make. You can also use any type of protein you like best or go with just vegetables and still have a great dinner. Since today is Cinco de Mayo, it seems like as good a day as any to check out these 25 taco recipes put together by Bon Appetit. You’ll find everything you need to know or want to try right here so you can have a Cinco de Mayo dinner tonight or just have a good taco recipes on hand any time you feel like one. Check it out!

 

Source: Cinco de Mayo Taco Recipes – Bon Appétit

 

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Bar Snacks | Food & Wine

It’s New Year’s Day! Happy New Year to everyone and I hope 2016 brings you great joy and prosperity. To get the New Year started (particularly if you have a weekend planned of parties or football watching) there is nothing better than having a great selection of bar snacks for you and your guests. Food & Wine has put together a fantastic selection of bar snack ideas that are easy to make and delicious so you can enjoy the party, the game or just a great snack of your own. Check it out!

Source: Bar Snacks | Food & Wine

 

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Our Best Labor Day Recipes Recipes – NYT Cooking

While summer may not officially be over, Labor Day weekend does often signal the end of summer for many of us, making us want to get out and enjoy the three day weekend as much as possible before the regular routines of work and school kick back in. The weekend cries out for all kinds of grilling, cooking, parties and outdoor fun, and NYT Cooking has put together some great recipe ideas of what you can make this Labor Day weekend. Enjoy and check it out!

Source: Our Best Labor Day Recipes Recipes – NYT Cooking

 

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28 Recipes to Make Before Summer Is Over Slideshow – Bon Appétit

Source: 28 Recipes to Make Before Summer Is Over Slideshow – Bon Appétit

It seems like only yesterday summer was getting started and now it is almost over. Kids are going back to school, the temperatures are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter already, but we do not have to give up on summer just yet! Bon Appetit has put together 28 recipes that are perfect for making the most of summer and are recipes you still have time to make with great summer fruits and vegetables. Check it out!

 

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Summer Family Dinner Ideas – Best Summer Dinner Recipes

Summer Family Dinner Ideas – Best Summer Dinner Recipes.

Easy dinners are great no matter what time of ywear it may be, but having some easy dinners to make are even better in the summer when it is too hot to spend hours in the kitchen or you just want something quick. Delish has 40 easy summer family dinner ideas for you to give you a little bit of everything to try and choose from to make dinnertime easy. Check it out!

 

 

 

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How to Cook Hot Dogs the Right Way – Bon Appétit

How to Cook Hot Dogs the Right Way – Bon Appétit.

I think hot dogs are one of those things most people take for granted. Some people may not eat them at all and they get little respect from cooks because they seem easy to make and don’t have much to them, but the fact is that you can cook a hot dog incorrectly and it can really mess up your cookout. Bon Appetit has set forth 5 rules for cooking your hot dogs the right way so that you make sure that the fire is right, the buns are right, you have the right condiments (ketchup vs. mustard? I am a mustard guy!) and everyone loves what you offer. Check it out!

 

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Our Best Camping Recipes – Bon Appétit

Our Best Camping Recipes – Bon Appétit.

One of the favorite summertime (or really any time of year) pastimes is to go camping. Just because you are going camping does not mean you cannot eat a great meal along the way. All it takes is bringing the right ingredients, tools (don’t forget your cast iron pan) and a campfire and you can have fantastic meals during your trip. Bon Appetit has put together 25 camping recipes that are perfect for your next outdoor trip. Look them over and see what you can make next time you go camping. Check it out!

 

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