Sunday, April 10, 2011

Spanish Beef & Rice

Tonight's meal was a "throw together" type meal, but it sure turned out great and the family loved it!

Spanish Beef & Rice
  • 2 lb. steak, cut into strips (I used sirloin)
  • 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes with chilies
  • 8 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • vegetable or canola oil
  • hot cooked rice
Place strips in a plastic bag or bowl; add enough salt and pepper to taste and mix very well. In heavy skillet (I used my electric skillet) brown the seasoned steak strips in hot vegetable oil; saute onions with the beef strips. Add tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes with chilies, and tomato sauce. Cover and cook on medium low heat (about 275°) until done. Serve over hot rice.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Friday night fish dinner!

My family's not crazy about fish, but in an effort to eat healthier I am trying to include fish in our meal rotation. Thus, Friday night fish. Tonight's meal was a HUGE success! Here's what we had:



Flounder in Lemon Dill Sauce (from www.cdkitchen.com)

  • 2 lb. flounder fillets
  • 6 Tbsp. margarine or butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dill weed
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 good sized onion, thinly sliced

Over medium heat, heat all but the fish in skillet until butter is melted and onions are tender. Add the flounder; cover and cook 8 - 10 minutes until flounder flakes easily; baste occasionally.



Tropical Fruit Slaw
  • 3 to 4 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 20 oz. can pineapple, crushed or tidbits, drained (save juice)
  • 1 c. miniature marshmallows
  • 1 large firm banana, sliced
  • 1 mango, peeled, pitted, and chopped
  • 1 c. diced apple (no need to peel)
  • 1 seedless orange, peeled, sectioned, and chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 c. - 2/3 c. vanilla yogurt
  • 1/4 c. pineapple juice (from reserved juice)

Whisk together the yogurt and pineapple juice and pour over the cabbage, marshmallows, lemon juice, and fruits. Fold in the yogurt dressing until well mixed. Chill briefly before serving.



Peas & carrots (no recipe, just on the menu)



Lemon Tiramisu Dessert (sort of low carb, can sub Splenda for the sugar if you want)
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/3 c. sugar or Splenda
  • 6 Tbsp. flour
  • 1/2 to 2/3 c. ricotta cheese
  • 4 to 6 Tbsp. lemon curd (I used homemade, recipe below)
  • 1 c. whipped topping
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
In large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in flour in lowest speed, a tablespoon at a time, until completely mixed in. Spread the batter in the baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
Mix ricotta cheese with 1/2 the lemon curd. Add 1/2 c. whipped topping and mix until smooth. Spread over the cooled sponge base. Gently spread the rest of the lemon curd on top of the cheese mixture, then do the same with the remaining whipped topping.



Lemon Curd
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1/4 c. lemon juice
  • 6 Tbsp. sugar or Splenda
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 c. butter or margarine
Whisk together zest, juice, sugar and egg in top of a double boiler or a metal mixing bowl. Cut butter into 4 pieces and add to mixture. Set pan/bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook mixture, whisking occasionally, until thickened and smooth, about 20 minutes. Chill.
Can store in refrigerator in covered container for up to 3 days.