Thursday, February 11, 2010

Steak Bombs

Steak Bombs are one of those yummy local sub shop finds that we all crave and love when they are cooked right but we know deep down that maybe it is not such a good idea when we are finished eating them.

A few years ago my husband bought me a griddle to go over my burners on my stove. Up until now we used it to make omelets, pancakes and french toast, but other than breakfast we really did not use it that much, until we found the shaved steak at the market. Shaved steak is very cheep at $2.99lb. and very good when cooked on a griddle. We thought why don't we make our own steak bombs at home.

This is what we do ...


Steak Bombs


1 lb. shaved steak
1/2 sliced bell pepper
1/2 sliced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt n pepper to season


4 soft sub rolls
4 pieces of American cheese


Slice up the onions and the peppers and toss in olive oil and salt n pepper. Put on griddle and cook until fork tender. Remove the veggies from the griddle and cook the shaved steak in the oil and seasonings left over on the pan.

Slice rolls in half and line bottom of rolls with cheese. Add the meat to rolls while still hot so the meat melts the cheese. Top with veggies.






YUM!!!

The Gluten-Free version ... instead of using bread try taco shells.

Fish Tacos

When I met my husband I knew he spent some time living on the west coast. If you have been to the west coast either on business, pleasure or just moved there for a time understands that there are foodies you can get there that are very hard to find here on the east coast. One reason for that is the Mexican influence and migration to the US for better opportunities than their country. And with them comes their culture and cooking, which when you live next door to one .... the cooking really changes you. This is what happened to my husband ... his next door neighbor in CA was Mexican and would invite him over to dinner for true Mexican cuisine.
One thing my husband fell in love with was Fish Tacos. I personally had never heard of them ... other than the trips to CA, where they are about as common as a hamburger is here. This was going to be a challenge to find a good recipe to make for my husband, one that brought back the memories of CA.
Ironically, one day while my husband was reading the newspaper he found a recipe and cut it out so one day we could make it. The article was written by the chef at Game On! Boston ... (so the next time you are at Fenway Park for a game ... check them out). This is one of the only meals that my husband helps me with ... I usually do not like too much help in the kitchen but this is one he is good at since he loves fish tacos so much.

Fish Tacos

1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless haddock
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup flour (we used rice flour)
1/2 cup corn meal
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil

taco shells or soft taco shells
shredded lettuce
salsa
sliced green scallions
shredded Mexican cheese

Prepare three dishes, one with 1/2 cup flour seasoned with salt n pepper, one with well-mixed eggs and milk, and one with 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup corn meal.
Preheat vegetable oil to 350 degrees in a large skillet. Cut the haddock into long 1/2 inch thick strips. Dip into flour mix, egg wash, then cornmeal mix. Pan fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
Make tacos like you would a chicken or beef one but use the fish as your "meat."

YUM!!!



This is also the start of my Gluten Free cooking. My husband may have Celiac Disease and this is the only way to combat the illness. I will not sacrifice taste but adjust the way I cook so my husband can still enjoy all the yummy flavors of food.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Oatmeal Raspberry-Jam Bars

When I met my husband I learned from Day I that he was not a sweet eater nor did he like chocolate, and when he eats chocolate he gets ill. Whenever we look for a dessert I need to find something without chocolate in it, so we can both eat it. This also holds true for when i am making something at home, needs to have NO CHOCOLATE in it or he will not eat any of it.
On my quest to find a dessert that he would like I came across this recipe and thought it is sweet from the berries but not too sweet. But I took the recipe and tucked it away and forgot all about it for almost 5 years. The other day I was looking for something and came across this and knew it was time to make these.
This is what I did ...
Oatmeal Raspberry Jam Bars
1 3/4 cups
flour
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 teaspoon backing soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups quick oats
2 teaspoons lemon zest (i.e. zest from one lemon)
1 cup raspberry jam
1 small package of fresh raspberries
pinch ground nutmeg
pinch ground clove
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven 350 degrees
Mix four, sugar, salt, baking soda, and butter in a bowl or food processor and pulse several times until the ingredients are combined and crumbly and a dough is starting to be formed. Ass the oats and lemon zest. Pulse quickly two tomes to combine.
Press 2/3 of the dough firmly into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread the jam evenly over the crust and even distribute the berries over the jam. Sprinkle the nutmeg, clove and cinnamon over the berries. Sprinkle the remaining dough over the jam, gently pressing down.
Bake until golden brown, approximately 40-45 minutes.
Cool completely, about 3 hours, cut into bars, store in an airtight container.

YUM!!!

These were such a success and so yummy. Perfect for with tea or a mid morning snack.