Monday, March 26, 2012

PREMARINATION & DELIBERATION -- Deadly Good Steak & Mushrooms

After a short hiatus, I'm back in action! You ABSOLUTELY have to try these recipes out! I honestly couldn't even restrain myself from eating almost the whole thing before I took a picture. It's THAT good! The steak is delicious, but the mushrooms are really the big winner--and together?! My goodness, heaven! Do it! Do It! Do it!!! You will love it! 




Delicious Asian-inspired T-bone Steak
What you'll need:
- 3 large T-bone Steaks (or any cut of your choice)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 cup Red Wine
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
- 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Fresh Crushed Ginger 
- 2 tbsp (3 cloves) Crushed Garlic
- 2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (adjust according to your preference)

How you make it:


Mix together  all of the ingredients (minus the steaks) in a bowl. Then place the steaks and marinade in a ziplock bag, mix it around, and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Cook on the grill (yum!) or stovetop and enjoy!





Balsamic Marinated Mushroom
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp Dried Oregano
8 ounces/ 1 packages of baby portobello mushrooms, halved
Whisk together the black and red pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and oregano together in a medium bowl.
Add the halved mushrooms and toss well to coat. Marinate for up to 4 hrs.
Cook in the oven (350F) or in a pan on your stovetop. If you use a pan and a lot of liquid collects, drain some of it. Cook on High for 7-10mins, until tender. You can also grill these babies--just skewer them! Grill 5 minutes per side.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Give RISE to property rights -- Bread CREATION



If there is one thing that I could eat forever and be in heaven, it is bread. All types of bread -- I just LOVE it! Yum Yum YUM! My grandfather would occasionally make bread when I was younger, and I absolutely loved those special days. I decided to mix it up from baking tons of sweets and make what I find most comforting of all -- BREAD! Here's my stab at a slightly sweet, very dense, but absolutely delicious bread! Enjoy!



What you'll need:

2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
3½ cups  All Purpose Flour
¼ cup  Vegetable Oil
¼ cup  Honey
1½ tsp  Salt
3  Large Eggs plus 1 for brushing
¼ cup  Warm Water

How you make it: 

In a small bowl, add the warm water, 1/4 cup of the flour and the yeast, whisk all together well and let it sit and proof for about 10 minutes until the mixture starts growing and bubbling.

In the mixing bowl of a mixer, add the yeast mixture, the eggs, vegetable oil, salt and honey. Mix well together then using the dough attachment gradually add the remaining 3¼ cup of flour, adding 1 cup at a time.

Remove the dough from the mixer and place it onto a floured surface and knead it for a couple more minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.

After the dough doubled in size, divide the dough into 2 equal portions. In turn divide each piece into 3 equal portions. Using 3 of the pieces braid it into a loaf.

Place the breads onto a baking sheet, and let the bread double in size again. Once doubled, brush the breads with the egg wash. At this point you can sprinkle either poppy seeds or sesame seeds on it.

Bake the loaves in a preheated oven at 325° F for about 25 to 35 minutes or until nice and golden brown.