Asian Beef Bundles

These turned out really good. Next time I need to up the amount of sauce for drizzling though.

Asian Beef Bundles
-flank steak, cut into pieces and pounded thin
-green onions
-asparagus spears
-salt and pepper

Sprinkle steak pieces with salt and pepper. Place an onion and an asparagus spear in the center of each and roll up securing with toothpicks. Set aside in a dish.

Marinade
-6 tablespoons of soy sauce
-6 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
-2 teaspoons of sugar
-2 teaspoons of sesame oil
-1 teaspoon of chili oil
Whisk all together and pour over bundles. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or longer.

Remove from marinade and broil for 5-7 minutes depending on your desired preference.
While broiling heat remaining marinade in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer until syrupy. Drizzle over bundles before serving.

Steakhouse Mushrooms

I make these all the time and they never get old to me.

Steakhouse Mushrooms
-button mushrooms
-butter
-worcestershire sauce
-steak seasoning
-parsley

Melt butter in skillet. Toss in mushrooms. Whole or sliced both work. Saute 2-3 minutes. Add 2-3 tablespoons of worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle with a pinch each of steak seasoning and parsley and saute another 3-4 minutes until tender.

Get Your Greek On!

As in a Greek pita that is....
This was my version of a quick gyro. The cucumber dill sauce, also known as Tzatziki sauce, is what makes it so good.

-cube steak
-dry ranch seasoning
-greek yogurt
-lemon juice
-fresh dill
-kosher salt
-fresh ground black pepper
-cucumbers
-black olives
-feta cheese
-pita bread

First I made the sauce. I mixed together the yogurt, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper. Then I peeled and grated in some fresh cucumber. I just did this to taste so I don't have any exact measurements on the ingredients. Then chill in fridge until ready to serve.


Second, I sprinkled the cube steaks with dry ranch seasoning on both sides and then broiled for about 10 minutes or until cooked through.



Then stuff your pita with the meat, sauce, cucumbers, black olives and feta. I generally prefer chopped tomatoes on my gyro too, but we were already having a side salad with tomatoes in it, so I didn't want to overdo it.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

I had this tasty salad at my good friend Maria's house. I'm not sure if I made it exactly like hers, but you get the idea.

-fresh spinach
-sliced strawberries
-almonds I used some roasted garlic flavored ones
-sliced onions
-feta cheese
-raspberry dressing

This one is hard to mess up folks.

Hail Caesar!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'm a mom and sometimes I just need something quick and healthy to throw together because I don't have time to devote to the kitchen even if I want to or not. This slaw is so easy to throw together and tastes quite good. Picnic perfect!

Caesar Coleslaw

1 bag of coleslaw mix( I used the broccoli kind)
1 cup of grape tomatoes, cut in halves
1 cup of lite Caesar dressing
a dash or two of cracked black pepper
Mix all well and chill until serving.

The Salt & Pepper Diva: Now on Facebook....

The Salt & Pepper Diva: Now on Facebook....

Now on Facebook....

Okay, since I'm ALWAYS on facebook....yes its a sick addiction. lol I thought I might as well start a page there and maybe, just maybe, that will keep me more current on my posts.

Bloody Mary with Oyster Shooters

I probably gross most people out eating oysters, but I can't help it. I love them, they are good for you, low fat and a natural aphrodisiac to boot. :)

Anyway, my favorite way to eat them lately is to wrap in bacon, squirt with some fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt and cracked black pepper.

Serve up with the spiciest of bloody marys and blue cheese stuffed olives.

Grab your chopsticks!!

My first attempt at making my own sushi went relatively well. My rolls were far from perfectly shaped, but they weren't too bad. I went with two simple rolls. Yum Yum roll which is a spicy crab mixture and nori(pictured). And I made a version of a California roll, but instead of imitation crab I used cooked shrimp...sooo much better! I somehow missed getting a picture of that one though.

Salad with Ginger Dressing



Yum Yum Roll

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

I'm finally getting ready to start scrapbooking this past years Christmas pictures, which my son's 4th birthday closely follows. This year he had a custom mommy made SpongeBob cake complete with Pineapple Punch.



Pineapple Punch
1 46oz can of pineapple juice
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 2liter of lemon lime soda

Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread

Forget the sweet alternative...the savory is so much better.

Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread
* 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
* 3 tablespoons parsley
* 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 5 tablespoons butter, melted
* 2 eggs
* 2 (1 pound) loaves frozen bread dough, thawed
* 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1. Grease a 10 inch Bundt pan or tube pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the green onion, parsley, garlic powder, salt, butter and eggs until well blended. Break the bread dough off in walnut-sized pieces, and dip each piece into the egg mixture.
3. Place coated dough balls into the prepared pan. Once there is a layer of balls covering the bottom of the pan, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Repeat, sprinkling each layer with cheese until everything is in the pan. Cover loosely, and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Chicken from "that steakhouse"

I rarely eat at chains...way too many good locally owned places to eat at and support where I live, but I still occasionally find something I like from a chain so instead of supporting them I generally just try and recreate it at home and save my "going out" money for something more original. Anyway, here's one that I do like from "that steakhouse". You know the one. You have to go out back to get there and the dish is named after a girl named Alice.



Move Over Alice, It's Amy's Chicken

-boneless skinless chicken breast
-fresh sliced mushrooms
-cooked bacon slices
-sharp cheddar cheese
-honey
-dijon mustard
-parsley

Season chicken with salt and pepper and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Remove and cover with mushrooms, bacon. Mix together dijon and honey and pour on top. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley and bake another 20 minutes.

Soooo behind....

Time for some catching up!

My first blog award!!

Thanks Dianna!!! You are so sweet!!

My 'acceptance speech' consists of 35 quickly answered questions ... meaning concise answers, and not my usual rambling ones.

1. Where is your cell phone? in my purse
2. Your hair? ponytail right now
3. Your mother? in heaven
4. Your father? probably at home
5. Your favorite food? seafood, especially sushi or shrimp
6. Your dream last night? none that I remember
7. Your favorite drink? diet wild cherry pepsi or champagne if we are venturing to the drunken side. :)
8. Your dream/goal? to finish nursing school
9. What room are you in? playroom/computer room
10. Your hobby? cooking, reading, scrapbooking
11. Your fear? losing another loved one
12. Where do you want to be in six years? a nurse
13. Where were you last night? at home doing school work
14. Something you aren’t? co-dependent
15. Muffins? take em or leave em
16. Wish list item? new bedroom furniture
17. Where did you grow up? the ville
18. Last thing you did? discussion boards for Nutrition class
19. What are you wearing? sweatpants and a t-shirt
20. TV? foodie shows, medical dramas and too much reality tv
21. Your pets? Daisy & Slyvester, my fur kitties
22. Your friends? totally fab of course!
23. Your life? crazy beautiful
24. Your mood? happy
25. Missing someone? my mom
26. Vehicle? Chevy Blazeer
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? World Market
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. When was the last time you cried? last week
32. Your best friend? so many for so many different reasons
33. One place that you go over and over? Wal-mart
34. One person who e-mails me regularly? Jenny
35. Favorite place to eat? seriously depends on my mood, but generally I can always go with Ramsi's

I get to bestow this award on 6 others .... be sure and check out these wonderful women.

Deanna- because she is definitely a fun mama!


Smitten Kitchen


The Denia Interlude


Chasing Cheerios

What do you want for Christmas?

So, I'm making my list and checking it twice....

Okay, so not a year goes by that I don't put some kitchen/foodie stuff on my list for Christmas. Anyone else? What are you asking for for Christmas for the kitchen or otherwise?

My foodie Christmas wish list...
- a new wok(mine has a dent and I can't take it anymore...I'm throwing it out!)

-saffron(most expensive spice ever but so darn good...I can't wait to get creative with it)

-Barefoot Contessa, Back to the Basics cookbook (sometimes her personality gets on my nerves, but I love her recipes! I love her use of fresh ingredients!

-And for the stocking...silicon muffin cups and some chocolate. I specifically requested the chocolate bars from World Market this year...chocolates infused with chili peppers, green tea and honey and sea salt...yum yum!