Rindsouladen Beef and Pickle Steak

Recently, I was discussing German dishes with my Uncle and Aunt. My Uncle told me I should make this dish. He really likes it when my Aunt makes the dish. I had seen it but never had it before. They told me how they made it. They used ham instead of bacon. The majority of the recipes used bacon. Of course, I used Black Forest ham. I really didn't know what to think. It really isn't an attractive looking dish. Since the dish cooks awhile, I could hardly taste the pickle. I did use the pickles from the refrigerator aisle since those are the ones we eat. Also, I couldn't taste the mustard at all. If you like beef, then you should try the dish. If I had to pick, I like Sauerbraten better but this is an easier to dish to make.

Rindsouladen
4 (4 oz.) top round steaks
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp Spicy mustard
4 thin slices of deli ham
2 dill pickles, chopped
2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups beef/chicken broth

Directions:

1. Trim any excess fat from the outside of the steak. Beat the steaks thin. 
2. Salt and pepper the steaks.
3. Spread some mustard on top of the steaks.
4. Spread a piece of the ham on top of the mustard.
5. Spread an even layer of chopped pickle on top of the ham.
6. From one side, tightly roll the steak up and secure with a toothpick. 
7. On a plate, evenly spread the flour over it. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
8. Roll the steak into the flour to coat evenly. 
9. In a large skillet, melt the butter. 
10. Add the onion and saute the onion until brown. 
11. Brown the rolled up steak on each side. 
12. Add the broth and cover.  
13. Allow to simmer for one hour. 
14. Remove the beef rolls from the broth.
15. Whisk a little flour into the pan to thicken the sauce. 
16. Serve the beef rolls with the gravy. 

Recipe adapted from Through the Garden Gate.

Two years ago......................................I made German Honey Cookies.
Three years ago.....................................I made Chocolate PB Cupcakes.

Did you already know................................
-In 1820, Oktoberfest was from Oct. 12th to Oct. 17th to celebrate the Bavarian Prince wedding.
-Oktoberfest was moved into September for the warmer weather but always ends in October.
-In Munich, the locals call Oktoberfest Die Wiesn since the fairgrounds are named after the Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildurghausen who Prince Ludwig married.

Steak Fajita Quesadilla

I decided to combine two of my sister's favorite dishes: steak fajitas and quesadillas. Oh, this dish was so good. What a great combination. The cheese melted over the steak, onions, and green peppers. My youngest daughter ate her whole quesadilla. Normally, she doesn't eat her whole quesadilla. The steak was tender. The dish was cheesy. Supper was fast. I know my sister will be making this dish real soon.

Steak Fajita Quesadilla
2 tsp vegetable oil, plus additional for the quesadilla
1 green pepper, cut into long thin strips
1 large onion , cut into long thin strips
1 lb. top sirloin steak
4 tsp butter
1 cup Mexican cheese blend
8 large flour tortillas

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat.
2. Add the green pepper and onion. Stir occasionally. Cook for about 8 minutes.
3. Place the cooked onion and green peppers onto a plate. Set aside.
4. Add the steak to the pan. Saute for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the steak is cooked to the desired doneness. Set aside onto the plate with the green pepper and onion.
5. Reduce the heat to medium.
6. Add 1 tsp of vegetable oil and 1 tsp of butter to the pan.
7. Add one tortilla to the skillet.
8. Top the tortilla with 1/4 of the green pepper, onions, and steak.
9. Sprinkle some cheese blend over the steak. 
10. Top with another tortilla. Press down and allow to cook for a few seconds before flipping.
11. Allow the other side to cook until golden brown before removing from the pan.
12. Assemble the next tortilla as in step 6.  Add additional oil if needed.
13. Top the quesadillas as desired with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, etc.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago...........................I made Winter Savory Chicken.
Three years ago.......................I made Lemon Curd.

Did you already know............
-Very rare steak is called blue rare.
-Rare steak has an internal temperature of around 125 degrees F.
-The USDA recommends the internal temperature for steak to reach medium doneness at 145 degrees F.

Steak Stir Fry with Mizuna

I have been receiving my CSA share for the last couple of weeks. The best part about receiving the fresh vegetables from the farm is the introduction to new vegetables. I received mizuna in my share. The sign recommended a stir fry so I thought it was a great suggestion. Besides the chopping, a stir fry tends to be a quick supper. The kids loved it but anytime we have a dish with steak then it is a winner.

Steak Stir Fry with Mizuna
8 oz. sirloin steak tips, sliced thin
salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp ginger, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped small
2 cups mizuna leaves
1 cup snow pea pods
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Season the steak with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil over medium high heat. 
3. Cook for about 5 minutes or until desired doneness. Set aside on a plate.
4. Add the ginger, garlic, and the green pepper. Saute for 30 seconds.
5. Add the mizuna leaves and snow pea pods. Cook for 1 minute.
6. Stir in the teriyaki sauce. 
7. Add the steak to the vegetables and toss.
8. Serve with noodles or rice.
9. Top with toasted sesame seeds. 

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago................................I made Radish and Potato Soup.
Two years ago..............................I made Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes.

Mituna? Spider Mustard? What?

Did you already know......................
-Mituna is a Japanese mustard green.
-Mituna is also called spider mustard, Japanese greens, and xue cai.
-Mituna is similar to arugula but not as strong. 

Steak Sandwiches

Lately, I've been looking for quick meals to make. I just want to be outside enjoying the weather. I normally do not cook with a lot of steak. If I'm going to cook with beef, it is hamburger. For a change (and with the children's encouragement), I decided to make steak sandwiches. The children love it. The kids liked a little bit of arugula. I love arugula so I topped my sandwich with a little more. I only made three sandwiches since my husband wasn't feeling the best. Poor guy!

Steak Sandwiches
12 oz. or more Steak (T-bone or Porterhouse)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper, for taste 
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
1 roasted red pepper
1/2 cup arugula
Rolls


Directions:

1. Cut the steak into thin strips.
2. Season with salt. 
3. Allow the steak to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. 
4. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and minced garlic.
5. Place the mayonnaise sauce in the refrigerator to chill.
6. Heat a skillet over medium heat with the olive oil.
7. Add the steak and cook for at least 3 minutes before flipping the pieces.
8. Add pepper to the steak. 
9. A minute before the steak is cooked to desired doneness add the butter.
10. Cook for 1 minute.
11. Remove the meat and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
12. While the meat is resting, spread the garlic mayonnaise mixture onto the inside of the rolls. Top with roasted red peppers and arugula.
13. Add the meat and form a sandwich. 

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago..........................I made Roasted Hazelnut Ice Cream.
Two years ago........................I made Oatmeal Crisps.

Did you already know...........................
-The most tender steak is the tenderloins like filet mignon. 
- The word steak is derived from the Old Norse word steik.
-Since the Vikings liked to cook their meat on sticks, the word steik means meat on a stick.

Steak with Gorgonzola Cheese Salad

During Halloween, we saw a lot of Super Heroes. So, we got to think about all the work the Super Heroes must have accomplished. Well, what happens when time is slow? What type of jobs could the Super Heroes do with their down time? 
Here are our suggestions:
Superman: Firefighter (with his cold breath.)
Spiderman: Cleaning crew (He can reach the hard to reach places.)
Wonder Woman: Rodeo girl (She already has a lasso.)
Batman: Pest control (He is a bat.)
Green Latern: Mover (He can lift heavy things with ease.)
Hulk: Garbage compactor (with his fist.)
Flash: Pizza Delivery (Your pizza would deliver hot.)
Wolverine: Barber (You could get a haircut and a shave.)
Storm: Weather forecaster (Her predictions would always be correct.)

What are your suggestions?

Steak with Gorgonzola Cheese
2 T-bone steak
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

2 Tbsp butter

2 oz. Gorgonzola Dolce cheese

Mixed greens

Directions:

1. Allow steak to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. In a large skillet, heat the pan over high heat.
4. Pat dry the steak.
5. Rub the steak with the vegetable oil.
6. Salt and pepper the steak.
7. Change the heat to medium heat.
8. Add the steak to the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes per a side.
9. Top the steak with the butter and the cheese.
10. Transfer the oven proof skillet to the oven.
11. Roast the steak for about 6 minutes. The steak should register at least 120 degrees with a meat thermometer.
12. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving on the mixed greens.
13. Serve with additional salad options like dressing, croutons, and other vegetables.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris. 

One year ago...................................I made Blondie.

Two years ago................................I made Sausage, Bean, and Veg. Soup.

Did you already know....................
-In 1941, Wonder Woman appeared in a DC Comic.
-Princess Diana of Themyscira is Wonder Woman.
-Her lasso is called the Lasso of Truth.

Steak Sandwich

Sometimes I look for the easiest way to speed up a process like making steak sandwiches. I decided to try using my food processor to slice up the meat. I actually didn't think it would work. It worked pretty nicely. I did put the flank steak in the freezer for about 10 minutes before I did it. This is a really good sandwich. Since I now know how to speed up the process, we just be having them more often.

Steak Sandwiches
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 lb. flank steak, sliced and chopped into small pieces
8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced
2 Portobello caps, sliced
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 cup white wine
salt and pepper
4 hoagie rolls
8 slices of provolone cheese 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to broil.
2. Line the rolls on a baking sheet.
3. In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
4. Add the butter and melt.
5. Add the onion and mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes and the onions start to caramelize.
6. Add the steak and cook until browned. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Stir in the wine and simmer for about 3 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and spoon the meat mixture into the rolls.
9. Top the meat with the cheese slices.
10. Broil for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
11. Serve warm.

Recipe adapted with permission from The Little Kitchen.

One year ago.......................I made Banana Split Cake.

Did you already know.........
-Pierre Verdun created the first household version of the food processor according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
-Cuisinart was created after Carl Sontheimer saw a cooking show in France using a food processor. 
-Carl Sontheimer did receiving licensing rights before innovating Pierre Verdun's food processor.

Growing Up!

Recently, my Mom gave me a back rest pillow. The kids thought it was the neatest thing. They were more fascinated with the pillow than some of their toys. They placed it on my bed and had to take turns trying it out. Then finally they let me try out my gift which is always nice. They told me to lean back into it and how comfy it felt. Then my son told me to go to sleep. Why he thought I would want to sleep sitting up was beyond me but I pretended to sleep. Anytime I pretend to sleep I make some snoring noises, don't you? My seven year old son started to laugh and he said, "A woman snoring, that is funny!" He knows I don't snore in my sleep and neither does his sisters so he assumes females don't snore. (Good thing he hasn't been around my sister much when she sleeps because I know she snores!) So, it got me thinking about my childhood assumptions.

Childhood Assumptions:

1. Men are serious and don't smile a lot. (My Dad and my maternal relatives did not smile a lot. They are men.)
2. Men do not eat sweets. (My Dad use to eat a lot of candy as a child and outgrew candy plus my maternal Grandfather was diabetic.)
3. Men like beer and women don't. (My Mom very rarely drinks.)

Do you have any childhood assumptions that have changed since becoming an adult? My husband does smile and loves sweets. I will drink a beer once in awhile especially when I am cooking chili since I don't want it to go to waste. 

My oldest daughter asked me to make some steak fajitas. My sister orders this meal a lot so I knew what was in it but had never looked up the recipe since it seemed like a quick meal. I was surprised by all the recipes I looked at wanted me to marinade the meat for hours. Since I had lack of planning, I just used a better cut of meat so it would be tender. We liked it and my daughter was happy. These are the type of meals we serve when my husband is away since he doesn't eat steak and peppers. I think he is missing out.

Steak Fajitas
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
8 oz Sirloin Steak, cut in strips
1 Tbsp Montreal Steak seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 red pepper, sliced in strips
1/2 green pepper, sliced in strips
1/2 yellow onion, sliced in strips
1/2 fresh lime juice, optional
8 flour tortillas

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Season the steak with the Montreal Steak Seasoning, a little salt, and pepper. 
3. Add the steak and brown for about 3 minutes per a side or cook until the desired doneness.
4. Remove the steak and place on a plate.
5. Add the red pepper, green pepper, and yellow onion to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes.
6. Squeeze the lime juice over the vegetables and cook for about another minute or two. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Remove the vegetables and mix with the steak before serving on tortillas.

One year ago........................I made Cranberry Cream Cheese Bundt Cake. It was so good that I know what I'll be making this week.

Did you already know....
-Some causes of snoring are excess weight, alcohol consumption, congestion, and exhaustion.
-4 out of 10 men snore and 3 out of 10 women snore per Health 24.
-Snoring can be a sign of sleep apena.

Steak and Ale Pie

I try to encourage my children to read often. I bring them to the library which they like. I also purchase books for them. I recently purchased a book for my son. I thought he would like it since it was scary. It was by R. L. Stine and called How to kill a monster. Doesn't the title seem like a book for a boy? The cover said Step One: Run Step Two: Run faster. I guess my son was feeling a little tough that day since he read the cover and informed me that it was a girl's book. My son would fight the monster and not run. (I think if the monster was scary enough he would be running faster than his sister. I meant he is really tough.)

As I continue my British dishes in honor of the Olympics, I made Steak and Ale Pie. I had never had Steak and Ale Pie until my friend recommended it to me. I asked my Dad if he had tried it. He told me that he liked it very much and even my daughter tried it. After making this dish, my daughter informed me that this recipe was better than the one she tried before. I think she is sweet.

Steak and Ale Pie
(Servings: 6 to 8)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds stew beef, fat trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
10ounces (about 5) Portabella mushrooms, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 cup dark ale
3 cups beef broth (I used chicken broth)
1 tsp dried sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme


Topping:
2 eggs
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 tsp salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
   In a food processor, pulse the whole eggs about 3 times.
2. Add the salt, flour, and milk to the eggs. Blend for 45 seconds.
3. Place the egg mixture in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
4. In a large plastic bag, combine the flour, salt, and pepper.
5. Add a few beef pieces at a time to the plastic bag and shake to coat the meat.
6. In a large pan, heat the oil. 
7. Add the meat and brown on all sides. Remove the meat and transfer to a plate.
8. Add the onion and garlic to the large pan. Saute for 2 minutes.
9. Add the mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. The onion should be translucent and the mushrooms are giving off some of their liquid.
10. Add the ale to the large pot and stir to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
11. Return the meat back into the large pan. Add the broth, sage, and thyme.
12. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before transferring the beef mixture into a casserole dish.
13. Bake the beef mixture for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The meat should be tender but not dry.
14. Remove the beef from the oven and turn the oven to 425 degrees F.
15. Remove the egg mixture from the refrigerator and fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites.
16. Cover the beef mixture with the egg mixture topping and bake for 15 minutes. 
17. Reduce the oven to 400 degrees F.
18. Bake the dish for another 10 to 15 minutes. 
19. Note: check the liquid level of the dish so the meat mixture doesn't dry out.

Recipe from my friend Tracey. Thank you Tracey for giving me permission to use it. It was delicious!

Did you already know...
-In 1896, the first modern day summer Olympics was held in Greece.
-The first  winter Olympics was held in France in 1924. 
-The 2014 Olympics will be held in Russia and then followed by the 2016 Olympics being held in Brazil.