Beef Poivre

To all who celebrate, happy Bastille Day!

This is perfect for Bastille Day or anytime. 

2 - 3 lb. beef roast

1/2 - 1 tsp. salt

1 T.  black pepper

2 - 3 T. olive oil

1 tsp. each: granulated garlic, lemon juice. 

3 oz. brandy or cognac

4 shallots chopped

2 oz. sour cream

1/2 c. heavy cream

Preheat slow cooker to 350' F.

Add oil to bottom of pan.

Add beef to pan.

Increase heat to 375' F to sear on both sides for 5  minutes.

Return heat to 350 F.

Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic over both sides of roast. 

Squeeze lemon juice over both sides of roast.

Cover roast with lid and cook until roast is done to desired doneness.

After roast's cooked, remove lid from slow cooker and place cooked roast on a clean dish to rest. 

Reduce heat to 250 F. add shallots and cook for a few minutes. 

Add cognac, cream, sour cream to cook for a few minutes more or until sauce's reduced.

Drizzle sauce with a clean spoon over roast beef.

Serves 4.

Recipe To Help Central Texas

Prayers, thoughts for Kerville and Central Texas.

Record rain had fallen and caused flooding in parts of Central Texas. 

The flood had devastated many families, communities.

There are links on this site to some organizations that are helping with relief efforts.

Whatever you can donate, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for caring.

Firecracker Salsa

 This is perfect for your 4th of July get together or anytime.

I used jalapeño and poblano pepper but you can use a mild pepper like cubanelle instead.

I also broasted the pepper in the oven but you can grill them on the outdoor grill for a few minutes too. 

Nonstick cooking spray

2 Roma tomatoes (chopped) 
1 poblano or jalepeno pepper (chopped)
1/3 - 1/2 c.  onions (chopped)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp. each: lime juice (to taste) fresh cilantro (chopped)


Preheat oven to medium high heat.

Spray baking sheet with non stick spray. 

Rinse, seed, cut membranes from and cut peppers in half. 

Arrange peppers on baking sheet and place in oven to cook for 5 - 7 minutes. 

Keep an eye on them so they don't burn. 

Peel, rinse, chop onion. 

Rinse, chop tomatoes.

Rinse, chop cilantro. 

Remove peppers from oven very carefully.

Let peppers cool for a few minutes, before chopping.

Chop peppers and place into a clean bowl. Combine remaining ingredients the bowl with the peppers.

Squeeze some lime into salsa, mix well.

 Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 4 - 6 servings (2 T)

Get Together Pasta Salad

 Summer's the time of graduation parties, backyard barbecues, holiday get togethers, pool parties. 

This is perfect for any occasion.

Enjoy!

1 package macaroni shells (16 oz)

3/4 - 1 c. mayo (to taste) 

1/2 c. each: chopped onions, chopped celery

1/4 c. chopped green cocktail olives

1/4 tsp. each: pepper, salt, granulated garlic


Cook pasta according to directions on package.

While pasta is cooking, rinse, cut ends from, chop celery.

Peel, rinse chop onion. 

Remove olives from jar, chop

In a clean serving bowl combine: drained pasta, remaining ingredients, and some of the mayo.

Toss well to coat. Add remaining mayo if needed.

Serves 4 - 6. 

Steak Quesadillas

Happy Summer all!

This is perfect for summer or anytime 

8 flour tortillas

1 - 1 1/2 c. each: chopped cooked steak, shredded cheese

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic

1/3 - 1/2 c. chopped peppers

1/2 - 1 tsp. fresh lime juice

nonstick cooking spray 

In a clean cutting board, chop steak.

In a bowl add steak. 

Sprinkle salt, pepper, granulated garlic over steak. 

Squeeze lime juice over steak, cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for a few minutes to marinate.

Seed, rinse and chop peppers.

To assemble: 

Preheat skillet to medium high heat, lower heat to and spray non stick spray.

Place a tortilla on skillet.

Arrange steak on tortillas. 

Sprinkle 1 - 2 oz. of cheese over steak and veggies. 

Place another tortilla over tortilla.

Cook quesadilla on 1 side for 3 min. 

Flip quesadilla on other side and cook for 3 min. more or until done. 

Repeat cooking process with remaining tortillas.

Serves 4.

Cajun Spice, Very Nice

Grilling season's not just near, it's here!

This is perfect for grilling or anytime.

You can adjust the amount of spices used according to taste.

1/ 2 - 1 tsp. each: granulated garlic, onion powder

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each: paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper, white pepper

Into a clean spice jar spoon ingredients.

 Screw lid on jar and shake for a few seconds to mix. 

Serves 4 - 6.

Lavender Fest Ice Cream

This weekend is the Michigan Lavender Festival.

This is perfect whether you're celebrating the festival or anytime. 

I've used premade lavender syrup, you can find it online.

2 - 3 c. heavy cream

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 - 1/4 c. honey

1/2 - 2 tsp. vanilla

1 - 3 T. lavender 

In 4 clean jars combine: cream, salt, honey, vanilla, lavender syrup.

You can adjust amounts of honey, lavender, vanilla to taste. 

Screw lid on jars and shake jar for 5 min. ,  place jar in freezer to chill for a few hrs. 

Serves 4.