twisted tastebuds

brown sugar & coffee steak, rosemary mashed potatoes with carmelized onions & asparagus

Happy Valentine’s Day! This year we decided to stay in and fix a delicious meal ourselves. I rushed to whole foods to see what they had left. I grabbed some asparagus, red potatoes, & a top sirloin steak (one of the last steaks left).

I did a little research on steak rubs and found a very interesting alternative to my usual: a cowboy rub.  I don’t usually eat asparagus, but I am trying to expand my horizons. And who doesn’t love potatoes?

to start off make the rub for the steak. try to put it on the night before or at room temperature the day of.  This will make enough for a few rubs.

• 1 tablespoon Ground coffee
• 2 tablespoons Kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons Dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon Coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Hot red pepper flakes

Start the potatoes boiling in a large pot. 

Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.  Add 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 sugar and a medium sliced, onion.  Let cook for 30-40 minutes until a brown, stirring frequently.

With about 15 minutes left to the onions start the asparagus & steak.

I used just 6 asparagus with a little old bay and minced garlic. I pan seared them for 10 minutes over medium heat. Perfect!

Pan sear the steak over medium heat for 3-4 minutes then turn over cooking until your own preference.

When the potatoes are done (when you stick a fork in and they are soft) drain the water.  Turn off the stove add a 1/4 c milk and mash the potatoes until a consistency you like.  I like mine a little chunky. 

• Add 1/2 c sour cream,
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 c cheese of your choosing goat cheese is good, cheddar of course or maybe gruyere

Plate and you’re done!

tuna steak & arugula salad

I just got back from charleston, sc for the long weekend. I did not take too many pictures of the wonderful food i got there. I was too busy devouring it. but i did want to link to some of the greatness i did have there.

I had a french toast cupcake from Cupcake on King St. I do not think i can even describe how good it is. The icing tasted just like maple syrup. I could not have scarfed it down fast enough.

Another highlight of the trip was our trip to the farmer’s market saturday morning. My friends took us immediately to Charleston Crepe Company’s booth. WOW! There were all sorts of choices, savory or sweet - including strawberries & nutella and my choice of egg, black beans and salsa. There are some recipes on their site that i will definitely have to try. One recipe not on the website is their crepe cake; layers of crepes topped with a chocolate ganache create this exciting treat. Prepare to see this come soon to twisted tastebuds.

If you ever have a chance to get to Charleston, SC they have so many delicious restaurants and exciting activities for everyone.

Alright, down to the good stuff. I walked into Whole Foods today ready just to get a slice of pizza, but tuna was on sale and i could not pass up the chance of eating my favorite fish.

Normally I marinate it for about an hour in the fridge and fix just a salad on the side because tuna does not need much to compliment it.

Ingredients for 2 servings

1 large tuna steak or 2 small

1/4 c tamari sauce (can substitute soy sauce)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 tsp minced garlic

For the salad you can choose what you like. But, i used:

2 handfuls of Arugula

5 strawberries

2 Tbsp pecans

Few slices of mozarella

First of all, I mixed the lemon juice and tamari sauce on a plate and set the tuna on for about an hour, flipping half way through. I added the salt, pepper and garlic. I am a garlic freak so i added a lot. More is more.

At this point i would get your salad ready because tuna cooks quickly, especially if you like it slightly raw like me.

Heat the a pan at medium heat. Set the tuna on the pan and cook about 3 minutes each side. More if you would like it more well done.

I usually like to melt the mozzarella in the pan’s juices before plating it. It just soaks up the garlic to make it divine.

You are done! Wasn’t that easy?

~whitney

huevos rancheros

yum. i just finished making the most delicious dinner.

last weekend i ate at my favorite restaurant in town for brunch and had huevos rancheros. so good, but i knew i could recreate this at home. what is even better is that it was super easy.

i did not take pictures during the process because i was starving and did not think it would turn out so well. I will make it again for sure-if you make it post your pics.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 5 minutes  |  Cook Time: 30 minutes |  Servings: 2

• 5 eggs
• 1/2 c sour cream
• 1/4 c cheese
• 1 small red onion
• 1 can black beans
• 1/4 c salsa
• tortillas
• salt and pepper to taste

First of all i put the beans in a small saucepan on low heat, add salt and pepper. I also added a little cayenne, it was too spicy for me.

Grill onions for about 2 minutes, or until soft. place in beans and mix together. while that was cooking i made bacon-that is optional of course. i just love bacon.

I whisked the eggs. I normally add salt and pepper, but did not because of the flavor coming elsewhere. I scrambled the eggs and added cheese on top.

While the eggs are cooking, place tortillas on skillet and brown lightly.

Add eggs on top of tortillas. Then come the beans, then add a little more they are so good. Top it off with salsa and sour cream.

Eat. Enjoy.

~whitney

chicken parmigiana

I do not normally eat chicken, but a friend left some behind from a visit and I could not let it go to waste. My favorite chicken dish chicken parmigiana, and it is so easy to make.

I have tried a couple of different recipes, but the best I have tried is by The Pioneer Woman. Her pictures are beautiful and make my mouth water.  I found though while making my dinner, I have to get better light! I had a difficult time getting the picture to look delicious because of it.

Ingredients

Prep Time: 15 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 45 Minutes |  Servings: 6

• 4 whole (up To 6) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Trimmed And Pounded Flat
• ½ cups All-purpose Flour
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• ½ cups Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• ¾ cups Wine (white Or Red Is Fine)
• 3 cans (14.5 Oz.) Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• ¼ cubes Chopped Fresh Parsley (i used basil from my herbs)
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 pound Thin Linguine

Start your water on the stove to cook the linguine.

Start heating your pan up on the stove at medium heat. Add olive oil. I did not use butter here. It is your preference.

While that is heating up mix flour, salt, and pepper together on a plate.
Dredge flattened chicken breasts in flour mixture.

When the oil is hot enough fry chicken breasts until nice and golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not cook them too long, like I did, they got a little too dry. Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and keep warm.

Do not clean the skillet and add the garlic and onions for about 2 minutes. Pour in wine and scrape the bottom of the pan, getting all the flavorful bits off the bottom. Allow wine to cook until reduced by half, another 2 minutes.

Toss in tomatoes and stir to combine. Add sugar and more salt and pepper to taste. I did not put in enough for me. I eyed it though. Allow to sit for 30 minutes. Toward the end of cooking time, add chopped basil and give sauce a final stir.

Carefully lay chicken on top of the sauce and completely cover them in grated Parmesan. Place lid on skillet and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer until cheese is melted and chicken is thoroughly heated. Add more cheese to taste.

Place cooked noodles on a plate and cover with sauce. Place chicken breast on top and sprinkle with more parsley. Serve immediately.

It was delicious and made SO much food. Enough for lunch the rest of the week.

~whitney