Swiss Steak

Slow-cook a relatively tough round steak to produce a fork-tender Swiss Steak in a rich gravy.

• 1 pound beef bottom round, tenderized by butcher
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth

Season the steak on both sides with the salt and pepper.
Dredge the pieces of meat on both sides in the flour.
Add vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the steaks to the pan.
Cook until golden brown on both sides.
Remove the steaks to a plate and repeat until all of the steaks have been browned.  Set aside.
Add the onions and garlic to pan and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and stir.
Add the tomatoes, paprika, oregano, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth and stir to combine.
Return the meat to the pot, covering it in the liquid.
Bring to a boil.
Cover the skillet.
Reduce heat to a simmer.
Cook for 1 1/2  hours or until the meat is fork-tender.

Printable Recipe

Grilled Onion Cheeseburgers and Alpha Grillers Grill Brush

Summer grilling starts with a clean grill.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 hamburger bun, made into soft bread crumbs
• 4 ounces melted butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 American cheese slices
• 4 hamburger buns
• tomato slices
• lettuce
• dilled pickle slices
• mayonnaise

Mix ground beef with egg, bread crumbs, butter, salt and pepper.
Divide and shape into 4 patties.
Place meat patties and onion slices on pre-heated grill.
Close grill lid.
Cook onion slices 3 minutes, turn and cook for 2 minutes.
Remove onion slices from grill and place in bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
Cook meat patties for 5 minutes with grill lid closed.
Turn meat patties over and cook 3 minutes.
Remove from grill.
Top with onion and cheese.
Return to grill and finish cooking until desired doneness.
Toast buns.
Serve with desired toppings.

Nothing is worse than a dirty grill that has to be cleaned before you can make your favorite burgers. Today, I received the Alpha Grillers grill brush to use and review.  It is made with tough stainless steel bristles and a comfortable plastic two-handed grip.  The 18" long shaft is perfect. It allows good control and pressure, but also keeps your arms far enough away from the heat.  The best feature is the innovative 3-sided design that lets you get deep between the grates and into those tricky corners.  For best results you should clean your grill while it is still hot.  Just have a bowl of soapy water and your Alpha Grillers brush by your grill and clean-up is a breeze.  No more brunt on food the next time you are ready to grill.  I highly recommend you try the Alpha Grillers grill brush if you are in the market for a new grill brush.  It is safe to use on all grill surfaces, even porcelain grill grates.  You can purchase your Alpha Grillers grill brush from Amazon at this link Alpha Grillers grill brush and Free E-recipe Book.   I found their video How to Clean Your Grill very helpful. No more dirty grills for me. 

Pina Colada

A refreshing tropical drink with the taste of coconut and pineapple to beat the summer heat.

 

 

 

 

• 3 ounces light rum
• 4 ounces cream of coconut
• 4 ounces pineapple juice
• 1 cup frozen crushed pineapple
• 1 cup crushed ice

 

 

Pour rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice and frozen crushed pineapple into a blender with crushed ice.

Blend until smooth, and pour into 2 glasses.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve.

 

 

Non-alcoholic Pina Colada

 

• 5 ounces cream of coconut
• 6 ounces pineapple juice
• 1 cup frozen crushed pineapple
• 1 1/2 cups crushed ice

 

Pour cream of coconut, pineapple juice and frozen crushed pineapple into a blender with crushed ice.

Blend until smooth, and pour into 2 glasses.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve.

 

 

 

 

  

Cajun Spiced Pecans

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 8 ounces pecan halves

Mix butter, Creole seasoning, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour over pecan halves.
Toss to coat.
Arrange pecans into a single layer on a jelly-roll pan.
Bake in preheated 300-degree oven for 15 minutes.
Stir after about 8 minutes.
Cool.
Store in airtight container.



Make your own Creole seasoning.

Recipe for Creole Seasoning

Creole Seasoning

26 ounces table salt
1 1/2 ounces ground black pepper
2 ounces ground red pepper
1 ounce garlic powder
1 ounce chili powder
1 ounce Accent seasoning

Mix all ingredients together.

Orange Glazed Pecans

Citrusy-sweet pecans make the perfect appetizer or snack.

 



 

 

• 2 cups pecans halves
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Toast pecans in a 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and orange juice.
Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads soft-ball stage, 
236-degrees.
Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and orange zest
Beat mixture with a wooden spoon until it thickens and loses its gloss, about 2 minutes.
Drop pecan halves onto waxed paper to set.
When cool break apart.
Store in an airtight container 

Printable Recipe

Pralines

A sweet, slightly crumbly brown sugar candy loaded with toasted pecans.

• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toast pecans in a 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.
Mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, evaporated milk and butter in a heavy sauce pot.
Bring to a boil stirring constantly.
Cook over medium-high heat until soft-ball stage, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat when candy thermometer reads 232-degrees.
Cool sugar mixture about 15 minutes or until 150-degrees.
Stir in pecans and vanilla.
Beat with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes or candy begins to thicken.
Drop quickly onto wax paper.
Cool.
Store in air-tight container.

Tip: 
If candy becomes to hard to drop add a spoonful of hot water and stir.