Truffle Steak Au Poivre + Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks

I recently did some recipes for my client 7 Barrels for their holiday promotional marketing and social media campaign. Featuring their Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, White Balsamic Vinegar and White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil, I created this delicious Truffle Steak Au Poivre and some amazing Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks. Perfect for a chilly Winter evening, special occasion or holiday celebration! Truffle Steak Au Poivre This steak is so tender and melts in your mouth! This Truffle Steak Au Poivre has a crust made with crushed black peppercorns, cooked in butter and 7 Barrels White Truffle Oil, then drizzled with a luscious pan sauce made with 7 Barrels traditional balsamic vinegar, shallots, beef broth and more butter, sprinkled with coarse sea salt and chopped fresh herbs. Divine! Truffle Potato Stacks These Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks are so delicious and cute you won’t be able to eat just one. Thin sliced potatoes stacked and roasted in a muffin tin with luscious butter, truffle oil, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and garlic, topped with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and coarse sea salt. YUM!

Truffle Steak Au Poivre + Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4

These delicious steaks and cheesy potato stacks are made with luscious 7 Barrels truffle oil, traditional balsamic and white balsamic vinegar. The perfect combination for an elegant holiday dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

  • Truffle Steak Au Poivre Ingredients:
  • 2 (8-ounce) NY Strip Steaks, 1 inch thick, trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (Maldon or Fleur de Sel)
  • 2 tablespoons cracked peppercorns (black or mixed)
  • 1 tablespoon Seven Barrels Truffle Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/3 cup shallots, finely chopped
  • ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Seven Barrels Traditional Dark Balsamic vinegar
  • Coarse sea salt and chopped herbs, for garnish (optional)
  • Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks Ingredients:
  • 4 medium potatoes (Russet, Idaho or Yukon Gold)
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove, minced)
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • ¼ cup Seven Barrels Truffle Olive Oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar, finely shredded
  • Coarse sea salt, for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped, for garnish (thyme, parsley or rosemary)
  • 1/4 cup Seven Barrels White Balsamic, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Make the Steak:
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Pat steaks dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt evenly.
  3. Crack the peppercorns with the back of a heavy skillet or spice grinder (coarsely ground) and press onto both sides of the steaks.
  4. Add Seven Barrels Truffle olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the cast iron skillet; swirl to melt and coat the pan.
  5. Place the steaks in the heated skillet and cook 3 minutes on each side (for medium-rare), drizzling olive oil and butter from the pan over the top of the steaks with a spoon while cooking to get a nice brown sear. Remove the steaks from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes to let juices resettle, then cut each steak in half.
  6. While the steaks are resting, add the shallots to the pan and sauté for a minute or two until slightly tender and golden.
  7. Stir in the beef broth and Seven Barrels Traditional Dark Balsamic vinegar, scraping the pan to loosen the browned bits. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes and reduce liquid by half. Remove from heat; stir in remaining tablespoon of butter to make the balsamic pan sauce. Garnish with additional coarse sea salt and fresh herbs, if desired.
  8. Serve immediately with a side of vegetables (mashed potatoes, sautéed asparagus or green beans), a simple mixed greens salad with Seven Barrels olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a glass of full-bodied red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon).
  9. Make the Cheesy Truffle Potato Stacks:
  10. Preheat the oven 400 degrees F.
  11. Wash potatoes and cut them into very thin slices (about 1/8-inch), leaving skins on. You can do this by hand, or use a mandolin to make slicing easier and faster.
  12. In a large mixing bowl, add the potatoes, dried Italian seasoning, garlic, melted butter, Seven Barrels Truffle Olive Oil, kosher salt and black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese and gently toss together.
  13. Layer half the potatoes stacked in layers into a non-stick 12-cup muffin pan (or lightly grease a muffin pan), sprinkle half the shredded cheddar on top. Then layer the other half of the potatoes, stacking them to the top and add remaining shredded cheddar on top.
  14. Cover with foil and place on a baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue cooking another 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are crispy golden brown on edges and cooked through. Run a small knife around the edges of the of each stack to release them from the muffin pan.
  15. Serve potatoes hot with a sprinkle of sea salt and chopped herbs, and drizzle them with Seven Barrels White Balsamic vinegar. Note: You can pre-bake these a day or two ahead and reheat them in the oven for 10-15 minutes on 350 degrees F.
https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2018/01/truffle-steak-au-poivre-cheesy-truffle-potato-stacks/

Happy Memorial Day! Grilling, Cocktails + Recipes

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! A time to reflect all of those brave soldiers and military servicemen and women who have sacrificed their lives and families for the safety of ours.  Big applause and respect goes out to them and I’m grateful we have a safe and secure country to live in because of them. Especially now.

Memorial Day Cake

In honor of the holiday, I rounded up a few of my favorite recipes to celebrate. Wishing you all a lovely holiday, hopefully filled with family and friends, food and drinks with grateful hearts to our heroes that keep us safe. EVERY DAY. XO

Dr Pepper Ribs

Spicy Dr. Pepper Ribs

Beach BBQ Burger

Beach BBQ Burgers

Thai BBQ Shrimp

Thai BBQ Shrimp

Sambal Chicken Skewers

Grilled Sambal Chicken Skewers

Lobster and Potato Chip Rolls

Lobster and Potato Chip Rolls

Coffee Marinated Steak

Coffee Marinated Steak 

Grilled Corn and Poblano Salad

Grilled Corn and Poblano Chile Salad

Watermelon Feta & Mint Salad

Watermelon Feta & Mint Salad

Roasted Garlic Potato Salad

Roasted Garlic Potato Salad

Summer Berry Shortcake

Summer Berry Shortcake

 

Hope you enjoy the weekend and here’s a few more links to Memorial Day recipes and menu ideas!

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/05/26/memorial-day-recipe-guide/

http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/05/29/memorial-day-weekend-barbecue-recipes-best-dishes-for-summer-cookout.html

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday—celebration-recipes/memorial-day-recipes

http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/packages/memorial-day/memorial-day-picnic-

Coffee Marinated Steak

Now that Summer is rapidly approaching, I am so excited about getting outdoors to enjoy the warm weather and especially cooking outdoors with friends and family. Grilling is one of my favorite ways to cook in warm weather months, simply because it’s so easy and a healthy way to cook, and it usually takes place with a group of friends outside making fun memories and laughter to go with it.

I recently went down to Atlanta where I used to live to visit some old friends and we had a blast grilling outside on my friend’s outdoor BBQ grill in her backyard. We sat around the grill and made grilled sliders, shrimp, jalapeno poppers, and wings (with lots of snacks and drinks to go with of course!) It reminded me of the good old days when I used to live there… living and working in NYC we don’t get the opportunity to grill much anymore and it’s a precious occasion when I go to visit my friends and family who live in greener pastures.

One of my favorite things to make is a big juicy grilled steak..it’s always a tasty treat, easy to prepare and everyone loves it…especially with some grilled vegetables, salad, potatoes and a glass of wine or beer while sitting out on the patio dining al fresco watching the sunset.

My go-to Summer recipe is Coffee Marinated Steaks, which I know you’re gonna love. The marinade has a light smoky essence from the coffee (I use Gourmesso House Blend Lungo Dark coffee, an espresso alternative to Nepresso capsules,  with a beautiful dark and rich flavor; some spicy heat from the red chilies and black peppercorns; a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar; and is balanced out with a slight tanginess from the balsamic vinegar, Dale’s seasoning (or soy sauce), mustard, shallots and garlic. You simply mix all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor, then marinade the steaks for an hour or up to overnight for some really delicious flavor.

Then simply pop them on the grill for about 8-10 minutes and you have the most juicy, flavorful and delicious steaks you’ve ever tasted in your life. Not to mention, a great idea for Father’s Day to spoil Dad! Click here to see more of my grilling ideas and recipes for Father’s Day.

Ah, Summertime and the livin’s easy…Enjoy J

Coffee Marinated Steak

Prep Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 (12-14 ounce) Strip Steak

My go-to Summer recipe is Gourmesso Coffee Marinated Steaks, which I know you’re gonna love. The marinade has a light smoky essence from the coffee (I use Gourmesso House Blend Lungo Dark coffee, which is an espresso (alternative to Nepresso capsules) that has a beautiful dark and rich flavor; some spicy heat from the red chilies and black peppercorns; a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar; and is balanced out with a slight tanginess from the balsamic vinegar, Dale’s seasoning/soy, mustard, shallots and garlic.

Ingredients

  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup Gourmesso House Blend Lungo Dark coffee, room temp
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 cup low-sodium Dale’s seasoning (or dark soy sauce)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon red paprika
  • 3 small red chilies
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse Kosher salt
  • 4 (12-14 ounce) boneless Strip steaks

Instructions

  1. In a food processor or blender, add the shallots, garlic, Gourmesso coffee, balsamic vinegar, Dale’s sauce/soy sauce, brown sugar, paprika, chilies, peppercorns, and olive oil and kosher salt and blend together well. Pour half the marinade in a glass dish or large plastic ziptop bag, add the steaks and toss to coat with the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Cover the remaining marinade and set aside in the fridge until ready to grill.
  2. Heat grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grill rack. Remove steak from marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Bring steaks to room temperature before grilling.
  3. Season the steaks with salt and pepper and place on grill. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare (less or more according to desired doneness), basting occasionally with remaining marinade.
  4. Transfer steak to a cutting board and let rest tented in foil for 5 minutes. Serve with grilled vegetables or a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette and a glass of wine. Enjoy!

Notes

You can make the marinade up to a day ahead of time and store in the fridge with the steaks in a plastic bag or covered dish.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2017/05/gourmesso-coffee-marinated-steak/

Grill like a Pro w/ Essentials from Chef Tom Colicchio

Grilling Essentials
Chef Tom Colicchio
Chef Tom Colicchio

Memorial Day is just a week away and marks the unofficial start of the grilling season. If you’re looking to host the ultimate barbecue, making sure you have all the right grilling ingredients is essential.

Tom ColicchioJames Beard Award Winner, Top Chef Judge and restaurateur, is known for his top-quality food served in his restaurants across the country. After 30 years in the business, and cooking at prominent New York restaurants including The Quilted Giraffe, Gotham Bar & Grill, Rakel, and Mondrian, Tom is an expert when it comes to grilling.

From the most flavorful meats to the sharpest knives, Tom’s been able to get his hands on the best ingredients and products from around the country. Some of his favorites include using the Konro Charcoal BBQ Grill, the perfect tool for cooking skewered foods, and grilling with D’Artagnan Wagyu Striploin, the best and most flavorful cut of meat when cooked at just the right temperature.

On Wednesday, May 16 Tom brought together all of his grilling essentials, including ingredients you’ll see on the menus in his restaurants, to OpenSky.  With warmer weather on the way, now you have the chance to grill like a pro this Memorial Day.

Fuego Portable Gas Grill
Fuego Portable Gas Grill

Fuego Portable Gas Grill ($149) – it’s a high-quality tool and only 15 pounds – very portable. It’s equipped with a stainless steel burner that heats up to 650 degrees and it offers 159 square inches of grill space — enough to fit four burgers and as many hot dogs on the grill all at once.  The steel frame construction means super durability, and an enameled cast iron grill grate allows your cooking surface to get and stay hot enough to guarantee a good sear. If you need some great precise engineering to build one of your own, then this Grinding service can help you out with that, but when you need to put them together, make sure you use supplies from TIG Welders. Dealing with metal pieces can be very difficult when they are too heavy, so that´s why this Forklift Hire is great when you need to move big and heavy objects. When you are doing construction at home, you should always have the Light weight deflectometer at hand because you never know when you may need it.

Rufus Teague BBQ Sauce
Rufus Teague BBQ Sauce

Rufus Teague BBQ Sauce & Rub Bundle ($27) These sauces and rubs are the real-deal – with rich, spot-on flavors that complement meat rather trying to outshine it – and will get your summer grilling off on the right foot.  Here’s what’s included: (1) 16 oz flask of Touch O’ Heat BBQ Sauce 
- (1) 16 oz flask of Honey Sweet BBQ Sauce 
- (1) 7 oz flask of Meat Sauce
– (1) 6.8 oz jar of Fish Rub
- (1) 6.8 oz jar of Meat Rub

Baxter's Premium Smoker Wood
Baxter's Premium Smoker Wood

Baxter’s Original Premium Smoker Wood ($20) — Essential tools for basic grilling include: a limitless supply of charcoal, a good set of tongs, and a big pile of wood chunks. Since the quality of the wood you grill with really does affect the flavor of your food, Tom is particular about what he uses. Baxter’s Original sources all their wood in Georgia, where they’re based, and they’re careful to make sure that it’s free of bark and debris.

Tip from Tom: If you’ve never used smoker wood on your grill, it’s easy.  Soak the chunks in water and then add them to smoldering briquettes in a charcoal grill, or into the smoke tray of a gas grill, and they’ll flavor whatever you’re cooking with a nice, wood fired taste. A couple of chunks on a hot grill will mean a steak with just a hint of smoke, whereas a few cups of the stuff over low heat allows you to transform your grill into a smoker, capable even of turning out amazing, authentic barbecue ribs.

Konro Charcoal BBQ Grill
Konro Charcoal BBQ Grill

Konro Charcoal BBQ Grill with Bag of Charcoal ($77-$151) Konros are small Japanese tabletop grills – a cousin to the hibachi. The compact ceramic units use as their heat source binchotan charcoal, a slow-burning hardwood charcoal that’s traditional to Japan. They’re the perfect tool for cooking skewered foods like yakitori, or any other small items that you could otherwise cook on a big, free-standing grill.  They’re fun to use – especially in a dinner party setting where everyone can participate in the cooking – easy to set up and clean up, and totally portable for picnicking and tailgating.

Sweet Deliverance Chutney Duo
Sweet Deliverance Chutney Duo

Sweet Deliverance Chutney Duo ($24) – Try Kelly’s Spicy Green Tomato Chutney and Raisin Haters Apple Chili Chutney as spreads to accompany a cheese and charcuterie platter, or better yet, as a condiment to serve alongside a rich meat like lamb. It transforms a hunk of cheddar, a slice of pate, or a simple ham sandwich.

Wagyu, Boneless Ribeyes & Pork Chops from DeBragga
Wagyu, Boneless Ribeyes & Pork Chops from DeBragga

Wagyu, Boneless Ribeyes & Pork Chops From DeBragga ($61-$250) These meats are supplied in his restaurants and work perfectly on the grill:

-Two 12-ounce American Wagyu (a.k.a. “Kobe beef”) strip steaks, the richest and most decadent steak on the market, sourced from Imperial Wagyu cattle raised in Nebraska. A little of this stuff goes a long way.

-Four 12-ounce boneless ribeye steaks, sourced from naturally raised Angus cattle. These cattle are never fed any antibiotics, hormones, or animal-based protein supplements, and the meat is amazingly well marbled and tender.

-Four 14-ounce pork chops from naturally raised Duroc and Berkshires hogs, free-ranging in Iowa. The meat is nothing like the pork chops you’re used to from your local supermarket. It’s beautifully marbled, succulent, and sweet.

Check out more cool food items, cooking and grilling essentials on OpenSky.com (sponsor of this post) and have an amazing Memorial Day weekend grilling your hearts out!

A Sinfully Delicious Valentine’s Day Dinner

It’s that time of year again when love is in the air and we’re looking for a romantic dinner to make at home for Valentine’s Day. This is a sinfully delicious dinner menu that will surely impress your loved one – it’s fairly easy and quick to make too. After all, who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen when your sweetie’s in the other room?

You’ll love this savory steak recipe – sauteed and served with a cognac, cream and mustard sauce with a side of roasted garlic and roasted potatoes with garlic and herbs. The mixed greens salad is topped with a creamy shallot vinaigrette dressing and for dessert I’ve included a recipe for a sinfully delicious Chocolate Souffle with Grand Marnier, which can also be made with a splash of dark rum or raspberry Frambois liqueur. Who needs to go out in the cold when you can make a yummy dinner at home? Simply LOVE-LY.

Steak with Cognac Mustard Cream Sauce
Steak with Cognac Mustard Cream Sauce

Sauteed Steak with Cognac Mustard Cream 

Two 3/4 lb steaks (3/4 inch thick) – Delmonico, T-bone, Porterhouse, Sirloin, Strip
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
4 tbsp cognac
4 tbsp heavy cream
1 1/2 tbsp plus 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Cut excess fat from the steaks and make small incisions around the outside where there is gristle to prevent steaks from curling.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, and season steak on both sides with salt and pepper. When oil is hot, add the steaks and saute 2-3 minutes per side (rare) or 4 minutes per side (medium) and remove steaks to a platter, tenting with foil to keep warm.

Remove pan from the heat and discard any fat. Add the cognac, stirring with the juices and scraping brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Return the pan to high heat and reduce the pan juices and cognac by half, about 3-5 minutes. Add the cream and continue to boil sauce until reduced by half again, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the mustard and remove from the heat. Slice the steak and pour the mustard cream sauce over the steak. Serve with roasted potatoes, garlic and mixed greens salad. A hearty bold red would be delicious to sip along with it!!

Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs
Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs

8-10 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold, Fingerlings or New Potatoes)
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 tbsp chopped herbs (parsley, chervil, tarragon, chives or rosemary)
Kosher salt

Cut potatoes in quarters or eighths and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle them with chopped garlic and herbs and some kosher salt. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown about 45 minutes.

Roasted Garlic
Roasted Garlic

Roasted Garlic

1-2 heads of garlic
1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt

If you want to roast some garlic along with the steak and potatoes, simply chop up the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle some salt over them. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast until soft, about 40 minutes. Squeeze the garlic from the skin and mix in with the roasted potatoes and sauteed steak (or rub over toasted crusty French bread as a creamy garlic topping – YUM!)

Mixed Greens Salad
Mixed Greens Salad

Mixed Greens with Creamy Shallot Vinaigrette

1 egg yolk
2 tbsp wine vinegar (red, white or champagne)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp minced shallots
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
4-6 cups mixed greens (arugula, endive, escarole or chicory)

In a small bowl, beat 1 egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and minced shallot. Add olive oil in a slow and steady stream to the mixture and blend well with a whisk to emulsify into a vinaigrette. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add some fresh chopped herbs to the dressing if desired.

Note: Vinaigrette can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container. Makes 8 servings.

Chocolate Souffle
Chocolate Souffle

Chocolate Souffle

7 oz semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 tbsp Grand Marnier (can substitute Raspberry Framboise liqueur or Dark Rum)
4 egg yolks
1/4 c sugar
8 egg whites, room temp

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter 6 individual souffle molds and coat with sugar.

Bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a medium saucepan and remove from the heat. Place chocolate and liqueur in a heatproof bowl and set it on top of the saucepan. Stir occassionally to melt the chocolate evenly. When the chocolate has melted, remove the pan and cool the chocolate mixture to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, beat the yolks to break up and add 2 tablespoons of the sugar gradually, and beat until the ribbon is formed. Add to the chocolate and blend. (Reserve some of the chocolate sauce for pouring into the center before serving).

Beat the egg whites with a whisk, adding the remaining sugar by tablespoons, to the stiff peak stage. Fold into the chocolate mixture and fill the molds 2/3 of the way full.

Place the molds on a baking sheet and bake until well puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Crack the centers of the souffles and pour additional chocolate sauce into the center. Serve immediately while still warm.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipes from the Institute of Culinary Education, Techniques of Fine Cooking.

Classic Comfort Food:: Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a dish that always reminds me of home  – my mother used to make this on cold winter nights as a special treat for my Dad who is a total ‘meat and potatoes guy’ – obsessed with anything including beef, noodles and gravy. Maybe it’s a German-Polish thing? It must be, because I’m totally obsessed with meat and potatoes too. 🙂

She oftentimes prepared this dish with ground beef for a quick and easy dinner, but I’ve adapted her recipe a bit by using beef sirloin and added some wine, fresh garlic and thyme to make my own savory version. You could also add some tomato paste and dill or substitute Cognac for the red wine.

True comfort food for a chilly night, just like Mom made it.

Classic Comfort Food:: Beef Stroganoff

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Ingredients

  • ½ lb. fresh white mushrooms, sliced (2 cups)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ¼ c. flour
  • 2 lbs. round steak (sliced ¼”-1/2” thick)
  • 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 c. red wine
  • 1 1/2 c beef broth
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped fine
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
  • 1 c. sour cream or creme fraiche
  • 1 package wide egg noodles

Instructions

  1. Boil a large pot of water and cook egg noodles per directions. While water is boiling, heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Saute onion, mushrooms and garlic until soft in 2 tbsp butter and remove from pan.
  3. Cut steak into strips 2 ½” long and ¾” wide. Melt remaining 2 tbsp butter in pan. Toss steak strips in flour and coat. Brown meat in butter until well browned on both sides. Add salt and pepper, worcestershire, mustard, wine and broth. Simmer on low, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender (about 1 ¼ hours).
  4. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, thyme and parsley and cook approximately 7 mins, until sauce thickens.
  5. Add sour cream or creme fraiche, stir until smooth and remove from heat.
  6. Serve over hot buttered egg noodles and garnish with more parsley. Enjoy with some crusty bread, a green salad and a glass of red wine.

Notes

To make a casserole: combine beef stroganoff mixture with cooked egg noodles with butter and spoon into a greased casserole dish. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven and then top casserole with crunchy fried onions and bake 10 mins more until onions are crunchy and golden brown.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2011/11/classic-comfort-food-beef-stroganoff/

Asian Five Spice Sesame Beef and Sugar Snap Peas

beef-sugar-snap-pea-stir-fry

 

beef-sugar-snap-pea-stir-fry

I love Chinese food. Especially when it’s raining outside and there’s nothing else to do but cozy up under the covers and watch a movie or two like I did last weekend. I was craving some stir fry that day but instead of ordering the usual from my favorite place on 3rd Avenue, I decided to whip up my own dish with some steak, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts and scallions that I had on hand. I thought I would spice it up a little bit with a 5-spice powder I found in my pantry that I have to admit, have never used.

5-spice powder has a slightly sweet and spicy flavor to it that should be used very sparingly, as it is quite potent! It’s a mixture of cinnamon, anise, fennel, ginger, clove and licorice root and the smell actually reminds me of those little German holiday cookies flavored with anise and covered in powdered sugar that my Mom is obsessed with. You really only need a sprinkle of it in the steak marinade so it doesn’t overwhelm the stir fry dish with its intense flavoring. You might even want to try 5-spice on duck, spare ribs or pork as it complements these meats quite well when prepared as an Asian Barbecued Char Siu dish.

Super easy to make and super tasty to eat.. it definitely hit the spot for my lazy, rainy Sunday when I would have rather ordered an egg roll and some Won Ton soup and analyzed my fortune or learned a new word in Chinese. And yes, the leftovers tasted even better the next day.

Ingredients

1 lb. Angus Steak, sliced thin
1/4 c. Soy Sauce
1 1/2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Cornstarch
1/2 tbsp Sesame Seeds
1/2 tsp Five Spice Powder
1 can of water chestnuts, diced
4-6 oz. Sugar Snap Peas, Ends Trimmed
3 Scallions, sliced
1 1/2 tbsp Sesame Oil
Crushed Red Pepper
Brown or White Rice, cooked

Preparation

Mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, sesame seeds and five spice powder in a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced steak and let marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes up to an hour.

Heat one tablespoon of oil in a heavy cast iron or nonstick skillet or wok over high heat. Add sugar snap peas and cook, stirring often for about 1 minute. Remove peas and set aside. Add water chestnuts and cook for another few minutes and remove from pan, adding to reserved sugar snap peas.

Add the additional 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the pan and allow pan to heat up again to high. Add half of the steak and scallions, reserving marinade in bowl, and cook for about 1 minute (don’t stir to allow a nice golden browning of the steak). Turn the meat over and cook for about another 30 seconds (don’t overcook as you don’t want the steak to get tough). Remove steak and scallions from the pan and reserve on a plate to the side.

Let the pan heat to high again, and then add the rest of the uncooked steak and scallions. Cook for another minute and turn steak over, adding the first batch of steak and scallions, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, and reserved marinade to the pan. Stir everything together over high heat for about 30 seconds, then turn off the heat. Let sit in the pan for another minute so the sauce has a chance to thicken a little.

Serve the stir fry mixture over the rice, sprinkling some crushed red pepper and additional sesame seeds for garnish.

Serves 4.

Other Stir Fry recipes you may enjoy:
Spicy Beef Stir Fry
Stir-fried Beef with Broccoli and Ginger
Ginger Beef Stir Fry