Hot Off the Grill: Easy Additions to Summer Food

Sometimes a little kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper is all you need to make grilled food shine... and sometimes you want something a little more complex. Here are some quick and easy sauces and condiments that elevate simple foods- image from realsimple.com

Compound Herb Butters- 
Great on grilled chicken, steaks, or veggies
3-4 tbsp salted or unsalted butter (your preference)
3-4 tbsp fresh herbs such as tarragon, basil, mint, or cilantro (you can also use a mixture)
Soften the butter slightly by letting it come to room temp on the counter or microwaving for 10 seconds. Chop the herbs finely and combine. Wrap in wax paper and return to fridge. Melt over meat or veggies.

Caper Sauce (from Real Simple Magazine)- similar to a chimichurri sauce- Zesty and delish!

• 2 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup capers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Place in the fridge 1 hour... or let sit overnight for full flavor!

Herbed Salt-
Turns freezer fries into pommes frites!
1 tbsp minced herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
1 tsp kosher salt
Stir together and sprinkle over hot fries.

Dining Alfresco: Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak

Everybody took part in preparing this fresh, flavorful meal. Our toddler helped make the marinade and salad dressing, I chopped veggies, and the hubby grilled. From this month's Cooking Light Magazine (with some modifications) it is the perfect meal for easy outdoor entertaining. 

Wine Note: I paired our steak with Marcus James Merlot. Purchased at Sprout's Farmers Market- 3 for 10 bucks! It's full bodied, balanced, and easy on the palate, as well as the wallet. 


Event: Family Dinner Alfresco
Menu: Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak, Sauteed Baby Spinach, Chopped Salad


For the Steak~
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 lb skirt steak, cut into 4 inch pieces (I would recommend sirloin or a better cut of beef, thin cut for quick grilling)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper


Combine first 4 ingredients in a ziploc or large bowl. Add steak and turn to coat. Marinate at room temperature for 25 minutes. Remove steak; discard marinade. (Prepare spinach and salad while marinading meat.)
Heat grill to high temp. (400-500 degrees) Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. Grill quickly, 3 minutes per side or to desired doneness. Remove from grill. Set aside on platter and tent with foil. Let stand 5 minutes and cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. (4 servings)


For the Sauteed Baby Spinach~
2 tsp butter
3 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
kosher salt
black pepper
1 10oz pkg fresh baby spinach


Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute one minute. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add spinach in batches, tossing frequently, until leaves just barely wilt.

For the Chopped Salad:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/4 tsp white (or red) wine vinegar
kosher salt
black pepper
2 1/2 c grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 c sweet (or Vidalia) onion, sliced paper-thin
1 large Hass avocado, cut into chunks
3 tbsp good blue cheese


Combine oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add vegetables and toss. Sprinkle with blue cheese and additional black pepper to taste.

London Broil with Grilled Zucchini and Red Onions

In most parts of the country, Fall is in full swing. Blustery winds, piles of leaves, bare branches, maybe even a few snowflakes. 

Well, in Austin Fall is like an awkward teenager trying to find itself. Eighty degrees one day and close to freezing the next. Some trees have lost all of their leaves, while others seem to think that it's April. We drag out polar fleece and mittens only to wear them with flip flops.

But the beauty of this mixed-up season is that we can make a hearty pot of chili one night, and fire up the grill for some burgers the next. 

London Broil with Grilled Zucchini and Red Onions is a reminder that, here in the Hill Country, Summer is never very far from our minds.

Event: Fall Grilling

Menu:

London Broil with Zucchini and Red Onions

Iceberg Wedge Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese Crumbles

For the London Broil and Veggies:

1.5-2 lb London Broil

3 tbsp olive oil, divided

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise, 1/4" pieces

1 red onion, peeled and sliced, 1/4" rings

2 tbsp mint or basil, chopped

1 oz parmesan curls (use a vegetable peeler)

2 tsp red wine vinegar

+more salt and pepper

Prepare the grill to HI heat (~450-500 degrees) Coat meat in 1 tbsp olive oil and minced garlic. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Toss zucchini and onions in 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place meat and vegetables on grill. Cook meat 3-5 minutes per side, to desired doneness. Grill vegetables 3-5 minutes per side, until soft and lightly charred. Remove from grill. Allow meat to rest 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, drizzle vegetables with remaining tablespoon of oil. Drizzle with red wine vinegar. Top with mint/basil and parmesan curls. Salt and pepper to taste.

For Salad (per serving):

2 slices thick bacon

1/4 head iceberg lettuce wedge

1-2 tbsp ranch dressing or vinaigrette

1/2 tomato, sliced into wedges

1 oz blue cheese crumbles

2 tbsp chopped red onion

fresh ground black pepper

Cook bacon and allow to cool before crumbling. On each plate, place lettuce wedge and top with dressing. Top with tomatoes, onions, blue cheese and bacon crumbles. Sprinkle with coarse ground black pepper. 

Ribeyes and Raviolis

No, not together, silly!  (Well, actually, that could be a tasty combination.... Hmmm...)

Sunday night's southwestern inspired steak dinner was delicious. Mark has perfected his meat-searing technique and I am reaping all the benefits.

Event I: Sunday Dinner with the Hubby and HBO
(Curbed is back! Bored to Death is funny! And we've got Mad Men and Entourage to boot! What are we going to do with all this tv? Why is everything good on Sunday night???)


Menu:
Grilled Ribeye Steaks
Black Beans
Rajas con queso asadero


Ingredients:
Ribeye Steaks
Black Pepper
Coarse Sea Salt
1 can black beans
2 tbsp sour cream
1 tbsp olive oil
3 Hatch chiles
1/2 cup monterrey jack cheese


For the Steaks:
Take meat out of refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling. Heat grill on high to about 450 degrees... or higher for a seared-medium rare or rare. Rub with fresh ground black pepper and coarse sea salt just before grilling. Grill 6 mins a side or until desired doneness. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.


For the Black Beans:
Heat canned beans on low until warm. Stir in 2 tbsp sour cream. Cover and keep warm until serving. 


For the Rajas con queso asadero:
Option 1: Cut peppers into long strips. Toss in olive oil and wrap in foil. Grill 15 minutes or until soft. Open package and sprinkle with cheese. Place back on grill for 2-3 more minutes, or until cheese is melted. 
Option 2: Cut peppers into long strips. Over medium-high, Heat oil in a small skillet (cast iron works well). Add peppers and saute until soft, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese and continue to cook until cheese is melted. 

Event II: Yummy Fall Dinner for Two


Menu:
Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts (from Real Simple Magazine)
Spinach Salad with Homemade Catalina Dressing


Ravioli Ingredients:
1 pkg store-bought ravioli, fresh or frozen
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 c walnut halves, roughly chopped
1 apple (they suggest gala or braeburn, I used honeycrisp), cut into matchsticks
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley (I realized I forgot this, so I used celery leaves instead)
2 tbsp butter (my addition... I felt it would be too dry without a little butter)
1/4 c parmesan reggiano, grated
Kosher salt
Black Pepper


Cook ravioli according to package directions.


In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add walnuts and cook 4-5 minutes, or until toasted. Add apples and parsley. Stir to combine. Add butter and stir gently until melted. Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Serve sauce on top of ravioli. Sprinkle with parmesan and more black pepper.


Spinach Salad with Homemade Catalina Dressing:
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp  whole grain mustard
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup shredded colby jack cheese or cheddar


Divide spinach and tomatoes into serving bowls. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, mustard, lime juice, vinegar, and oil. Drizzle over spinach and tomatoes; sprinkle with cheese.