Hot Turkey Sandwich

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
skinned turkey breast slices (about 1/4 in. thick)
Salt and pepper
About 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon oil

1 1/4 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 teaspoons cornstarch

2 slices (about 2 oz. total) white bread
3 to 4 tablespoons canned cranberry sauce

Rub thyme over turkey slices and lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, then coat with flour, shaking off excess.

Place a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat. When pan is hot, add oil and tilt to coat bottom. Add turkey, without crowding, and brown lightly, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Meat should be white in center (cut to test). Transfer turkey to a platter as cooked and keep warm.

Mix broth, sherry, soy sauce, and cornstarch; add to frying pan. Stir over high heat until boiling, about 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare Mashed potatoes.

Place a slice of bread on each plate and top each slice with half the turkey. Mound potatoes equally on meat, pour gravy over the sandwich, and accompany with a dollop of the cranberry sauce.

Chicken Sausage on Quinoa with Peppers

 

For this month's Color Me Badd Diva theme, I randomly ended up with yellow. Several of the Divas are not curry fans (and it definitely smells up your house) so I went with a dish that used yellow peppers (and the Quinoa is "yellowy" I guess.)

Chicken Sausage on Quinoa with Peppers
1 Tbsp butter
¼ onion, diced
sea salt to taste
1 cup quinoa
2 Cups Chicken Broth

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Chicken sausage links
½ onion, cut into thin strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tsp Spanish paprika
½ Tsp ground cumin
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup chicken stock
sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the diced onion and sea salt to taste; cook and stir until the onion has caramelized to a deep brown, about 15 minutes. Once caramelized, pour in 2 cups of chicken stock and the quinoa; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20ish minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausages. Remove to drain on a paper towel lined plate, and keep warm.
3. Reduce the heat to medium, and stir the sliced onion into the remaining oil in the skillet (add a bit more if necessary.) Cook until the edges of the onions begin to turn a golden color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Season with the paprika and cumin, then stir in the red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, and 1/2 cup of chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook until the peppers soften, and the mixture reduces and thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. Return the sausage to the skillet, season to taste with salt and pepper, and continue cooking until the sausage is hot. Serve over a bed of quinoa.

Broccoli Grape Harvest Salad by The Big Cheese

April sort of snuck by the Divas this month. We are actually meeting on May 1st to complete April's "Color-Me-Diva" month. Each diva was given a color, and our meal has to (I guess) have that color in it? Either way, The Big Cheese was given PURPLE...I mean, come on...I thought about eggplant? A purple colored wine? However, I kept coming back to grapes. I love them, my family loves them, who doesn't love grapes? The only problem with grapes is the recipe probably can't be frozen. My bad fellow divas, my bad. You'll just have to enjoy this meal ASAP! We divas know how to NOT waste a good meal. So, I'll stop rambling and give you this fresh recipe that I found (via Pintrest) at Eat Yourself Skinny blog. Who doesn't want to EAT themselves SKINNY? For real.



Here are your ingredients:

1/2 (16 oz) box whole wheat farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
1 lb. fresh broccoli
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups seedless red grapes
6 cooked turkey bacon slices, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan for about 6 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Then prepare pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems and separate into small pieces using a paring knife. In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, yogurt, sugar, red onion, vinegar and salt and toss with broccoli, hot cooked pasta and grapes. Stir to coat. Cover and chill for up to 3 hours. Stir in bacon and toasted pecans just before serving, enjoy!

Mini Cheesecakes

Well, since the theme for this month's Supper Club was based on our Diva name, I got to bring dessert! I turned to Pinterest, of course, and found these delicious little cheesecakes that were a cinch to make and perfect for sharing. Also, did I mention that they aren't too terribly bad for you either?!? You can't beat that!

Ingredients
3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (or Oreos, I suppose!)
2 tbsp. butter, melted
2/3 cup low fat cream cheese
6 tbsp. fat free cream cheese
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 large egg whites
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup light fruit pie filling, any flavor you want

Directions
Place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Spoon 1 tbsp. of mixture into bottom of each cupcake liner and press down gently; refrigerate until ready to use.

In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat both types of cream cheese until fluffy. Add in lemon juice, egg whites, vanilla and sugar; beat until smooth.

Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly into cupcake liners; bake until set, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

DO NOT BE LIKE MR. DESSERT DIVA AND BEGIN EATING THE CHEESECAKES NOW. THEY ARE WARM AND DO NOT HAVE THE FRUIT ON TOP. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE VERY GOOD. ALSO, DO NOT ASK DESSERT DIVA WHY HER CHEESECAKES AREN'T VERY GOOD, AT THIS POINT. THAT WILL NOT SCORE YOU ANY POINTS.

OK, I'm glad I got that off my chest. :)

Top each cheesecake with 1 tbsp. of pie filling. I used cherry and blueberry, but use whatever makes you happy here. They will be delicious...I promise! Enjoy!

Source: www.recipe-diaries.com

Chimichurri Sauce

What do you get when you combine cheese, wine, sauce, dessert, gourmet fanciness, and down home goodness? You get a group of awesome ladies going into their 4th year of monthly gatherings of meals, wine, and laughter. I can't imagine life without these girls!

Our theme this month is a meal inspired by our diva name. Since I am Saucy Diva, I am sharing a recipe for homemade chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri sauce is great because it can go on pretty much anything! I will be serving on top of grilled steaks, but you can also use it on chicken, salmon, in salads, on tacos, or just dip your chips in it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves (about 1 cup before chopping)
1/2 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves (about 1 cup before chopping)
2 T minced garlic
3 T fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. cayenne pepper (or less, if you're a wimp like me)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 cup olive oil

Preparation:
1. Finely chop the cilantro, parsley, and garlic, either by hand or in a food processor with steel blade. I HIGHLY recommend the food processor. It is a lot of chopping, especially if you're making a big batch. Which you should. Because this stuff is awesome!

2. Put ingredients into a bowl and add lemon juice, red wine vinegar, cayenne pepper and cumin and stir to combine. Then stir in olive oil until mixture is well blended.

3. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes before serving. Store left over sauce in the fridge.

Cheesy Chicken & Stuffing By: The BIG Cheese

Here I, The Big Cheese, sit at a local library...trying not to think of cheese. What's the use?!

Searching around for the healthiest/cheesiest recipe I could find. I found this recipe at http://www.emilybites.com/2012/03/cheesy-chicken-stuffing.html



* I cut her recipe in half, just FYI *

Ingredients:
4 thin boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets
3 slices 2% reduced fat Swiss cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 can of Campbell’s cream of chicken soup
1/2 box of chicken flavored stuffing mix (such as Stove Top)
1/4 stick of butter, melted

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist your baking dish.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer across the bottom of the baking dish. Tear the cheese slices into pieces and use them to cover the breasts.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the milk and cream of chicken soup until combined. Pour over the tops of the chicken.
4. In a large bowl, stir together the stuffing mix and melted butter until stuffing is coated. Sprinkle the stuffing mix over the tops of the chicken.
5. Place in the oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes.

YummmmmmmmmmmmmmmO!

Garlic Chicken with White Wine Sauce

Recipe adapted from www.simplyrecipes.com

Ingredients
• 2 chicken breasts & 2 drumsticks (or whatever chicken pieces you prefer)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 whole head of garlic, cloves separated but not peeled
• Olive oil
• About 1 cup white wine,
• Tarragon
• Thyme

Lightly smash the garlic cloves with the side of a heavy chef's knife, just enough to break the cloves. Leave peel on.**

Pat the chicken pieces dry and sprinkle pieces generously with salt and pepper.

Heat 3 Tbsp. olive oil in a Dutch oven (or a large thick-bottom pan with a tight fitting cover) on medium high. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Lay the chicken pieces on the hot oil, do not move until browned, then turn over to other side using tongs. Remove from pan when browned.

Add a little more olive oil to the pan if necessary. Add the garlic and sauté until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and the herbs. Bring to a boil. Add the chicken pieces. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pan and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Move the chicken pieces from top to bottom every 5 minutes for about 20 minutes. Chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part reads 180°F for thighs and 170°F for breasts.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken pieces to a platter; spoon garlic sauce over the chicken.

Serve alone or with rice, noodles, baked or mashed potatoes.

**Leaving the peels on the garlic is traditional in Mexican cooking. The peels do have flavor, much like the shells of shrimp. You don’t eat them, but when the dish is done, the garlic just slips out of them.

Italian Beef "Sammiches"

 I love that I grew up just outside of Chicago, although I don't think I really appreciated it until I moved to Indianapolis. Indy is great, and I don't foresee myself leaving anytime soon, but there are things I miss. The food one of those things.  There was rarely a family gathering, a sports banquet, or a weekend take out meal where Italian Beef Sandwiches ("Sammiches" if you're from the Chi) weren't served. I'm especially proud of this Chicago staple because they were "invented" on my side of town, the sout side (the h isn't pronounced).  My meal this month is an easy way to make that Windy City delicacy.  When you order one in the city, you're asked if you'd like it wet or dry.  Dry is just as it sounds...just the meat on the bread with the toppings.  If you'd like to try it wet, dip the assembled sandwich in the broth.  Both ways are delish although I prefer them wet!
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:
 1 - 1 1/2 lbs roast beef (from the deli)
1 envelope of dry Italian dressing
1 can of low sodium beef broth (I use about triple the amount of broth.  The wetter the better!)
 4  French bread rolls - I know...WHAT?  Italian beef on french bread?  Yes!  It is all in the bread people.  French bread is soft and crusty, but firm enough to stand up to the "juice". 
Optional traditional toppings:
mozzerella cheese
banana peppers
hot peppers

Preparation:
-  In a large pot, mix the broth and the Italian dressing
-  Submerge the beef in the broth
-  Simmer on LOW for an hour
-  Assemble sandwich
- To dip or not to dip?  That is the question. Seriously, dip it.  You will not be sorry. 

There is an official beef sammich eating stance too!  Hold the sammy with both hands and rest elbows on the table.  Lean away from the sammich so you don't dribble on your shirt.  You're welcome.

Da Bears.

Nancy Smith's Chicken - By The Big Cheese

Talking a little stroll down memory lane with this one, folks. My absolute favorite meal growing up with Momma Big Cheese was her little number called "Nancy Smith's Chicken". Even though her maiden name is Smith, we don't have any Nancy's (that I'm aware of!). Either way, This meal is comforting to my soul and belly. I hope you enjoy it as much as I always have.

Warning - it's WAAAAAAAAY better when Momma Big Cheese makes it! No doubt about that one. Love you, Patti!


* Thank you google images for the pic *

What you'll need:
1 bag (10 oz) of frozen peas
4 C cooked chicken, cut up
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C miracle whip
1/2 t curry powder
1 C shredded cheddar cheese

What you'll do:
1. Spread peas into dish
2. Put chicken on top
3. In separate bowl, mix soup, mayo and curry powder. Pour over chicken.
4. Cover with cheese
5. Let stand in fridge overnight
6. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, uncovered

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

It's here! The 4th annual Diva "Ball" theme! We love us some spherical food. For this month's meal, I am making Hawaiian Meatballs that you can conveniently make in your slow cooker.





Ingredients:

32 oz. package of precooked, frozen meatballs
13.5 oz can of unsweetened pineapple chunks (put juice aside)
1 large green pepper, diced
1 cup of brown sugar
2 Tbl. cornstarch
2/3 cup of white vinegar
2 Tbl. Soy sauce
Rice

Preparation:
Place meatballs in crock pot and top with green pepper and drained pineapple chunks. In a separate bowl, mix reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and soy sauce. Pour sauce over meatballs, pineapple and green peppers. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through.

Prepare the rice and serve with the meatballs on top.

Does it get any easier??

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Happy Crock-tober! My meal for our October theme was found on Pinterest. I must have really thought it looked good, because I pinned it three separate times. The best part about it is the chicken goes in frozen, so you don't even have to remember to thaw first.

I served over rice.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, still frozen
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can corn kernels, do not drain
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 T cumin
1 t chili powder
1 t onion powder
1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese

Preparation:
Put the chicken in the crock pot.
Top with the tomatoes, corn,
the drained and rinsed beans,
ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders,
stir to combine then top with the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring one or twice
to blend in the cheese. (I didn't do this, and it was fine)
Shred the chicken into large pieces

Baked Potato Soup - Slow Cooker Style by The Big Cheese

Happy Crock-tober!

I turned to one "go to" food blogs to see what she had to offer for a classic crock pot recipe. The Cheese household enjoyed this pot of creamy deliciousness this weekend. Bless you, crock pots.

p.s. I feel like I've posted something like this before...oh wait, I have!

"Go To" food blog: http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2009/06/baked-potato-soup-slow-cooker-style.html

Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup Ingredients:

5 pounds russet potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
1 medium/large yellow onion, diced
10 cloves of garlic, minced (if you use jarred, it's a 5 teaspoon equivalent)
64 ounces (8 cups) chicken stock or broth
16 oz cream cheese, softened (I use low fat)
1 tablespoon seasoned salt (I use Aunt Cora's Soulful Seasoning)
optional garnishes: crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, green onions

Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup Directions:

Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning, and chicken stock to slow cooker.
Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.
Add the softened cream cheese and puree soup with an immersion blender until the cheese is incorporated and about half the soup is blended. (Alternately you could remove half the soup and the cream cheese to an upright blender, then re-incorporate).
Stir well, top with your choice of garnishes & enjoy!

Yields about 10-12 servings.

Slow-Cooker Jambalaya

Happy Crock-tober!!



For this month's slower cooker theme, I did Slow Cooker Jambalaya. I was really pleased with how easy it was to put together. (I cheat and buy pre-chopped onions.) Also, the recipe I'm posting serves 8 people. I just halved it for Divas so it should (hopefully) serve "4."

Hope you enjoy!

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 pound (turkey) smoked sausage, cut into 2-inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole spice mix
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound extralarge shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 3/4 cups long-grain rice
Parsley, optional


Directions

Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme and oregano in a large (5-quart) slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours.

Add shrimp and rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.

Meatloaf Braciole

This is my favorite meatloaf recipe ever, and so far it's won over some non-meatloaf people! It's based on a Rachel Ray recipe (I made a few of my own modifications) and the "braciole" part just means it's rolled up. I would recommend not just using ground beef, because then it basically tastes like a fancy hamburger. I try to use at least two different types of ground meat.

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, pork and/or veal mixture
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 small white onion, grated
3 tablespoons grated cheese, Parmigiano or Romano
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 cup baby spinach
6 slices prosciutto di Parma (the thinner sliced, the better)
6 slices deli sliced provolone
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Mix meat and next 7 ingredients (thru parsley) as if you were making meatloaf. Flatten meat out on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet into a thin layer: 1/2-inch thick, 12 inches long by 6 to 8 inches wide. Cover meat with spinach, prosciutto and cheese then roll the meat, using the waxed paper to help roll up into a large log, working across the 6 to 8-inch side, resulting in a 12-inch long log. Drizzle the log with extra-virgin olive oil to coat lightly.

Roast meatroll 20 minutes. Cut into 1-inch slices, 3 pieces per portion, and serve. Make pasta while meat is in the oven.

*Another note, I had to roast mine longer than 20 minutes. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 160 before eating. (I like to cook mine until about 155 and then let is rest a bit before slicing.)

Cabernet Onions

I couldn't pass up a music theme without doing a Cheeseburger in Paradise. The great thing about burgers is you can get creative! For DTD this month I have prepared a "fancy" burger topped with a thick slice of white american cheese, cabernet onions, and dijon mustard. It is served on a whole wheat bun.

Here is the recipe for the cabernet onions...

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 cups sliced onions (about 2)
3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine


Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium- high heat. Add onions, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until tender and golden brown, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and continue to sauté until very tender and well browned, about 15 minutes longer. Add wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill.

SPAGHETTI AGLIO, OLIO, E PEPERONCINO - by the big cheese!

How do you come up with a recipe inspired by music? One of my favorite bands is Red Hot Chili Peppers. So - why not use chili peppers in a recipe?!?!? Here's what The Big Cheese is brining to you this month.

Ingredients

7 ounces of spaghetti
2 large or 3 small garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons of chili pepper flakes
1/4 to 1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Directions

The measurements in this recipe can be shifted depending on your taste preferences.

Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package, until it is al dente.

Strain spaghetti and place in a large serving dish.

Add minced garlic, chili pepper flakes, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix together well.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

*I am also going to serve this with chicken, cooked on the stove in olive oil - with a dash of Salt 'n Peppa

Beer-Braised Sausage and Red Peppers (from Dessert Diva)

My contribution this month is a delicious Beer-Braised Sausage and Red Peppers that I have slightly adapted from my favorite food blogger, Annie's Eats. We have had this no less than 3 times in the past month...that's how much we love it!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 lb. cooked kielbasa sausages, sliced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 large red bell peppers, sliced
2 tbsp. flour
1 bottle of beer
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

Directions
In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sausages and cook, stirring often, until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Add the onion and bell pepper to the pot, reduce the heat to medium and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1-2 minutes.

Whisk in the beer until smooth and bubbly. Add the chicken broth and thyme, whisking to blend. Bring to a simmer. Return the sausages to the pot. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until flavors are blended, about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Serves 4-6

Yats Chili Cheese Etouffee

For this month's copy cat meal I made Yats Chili Cheese Etouffee, which I love to eat and say :) I am including the recipe below. The next time I make it, I will change a few things: I think i will saute the chopped veggies in a different pan and then add them to the roux, or maybe just cook it longer? They didn't soften up how I wanted. Also, I didn't put any onions in, to appease Mr. Gourmet Diva. :-) I thought it was pretty tasty and hope others do to!

1 stick butter
½ c. flour
1 c. chopped green onions
1 c. diced celery
1 c. diced bell peppers
1 c. diced onions
2 t. minced garlic
1 c. Rotel Original diced tomatoes
½ t. dried thyme
1 T. tomato paste
1 t. dried basil
¼ t. black pepper
¼ t. white pepper
¼ t. cayenne pepper
3 c. chicken stock
3 c. shredded aged cheddar
8 oz. half and half or heavy cream
1 t. chili powder
pinch ground coriander
pinch ground cumin
pinch ground cloves
dash Leas and Perrins Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco sauce
1 lb cooked crawfish, shrimp and/or chicken
Cooked white rice

Make a roux by heating the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat then blending in the flour, sonsistently stirring and scraping the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the roux is golden color

Add the green onions, celery, bell peppers, onions, garlic and tomatoes and cook until the onions have browned

Add the thyme, tomato paste, basil and peppers (black, white, and cayenne)

Add the stock, bring to a boil and simmer until the mixture becomes thick

Add the cheese, half and half, chili powder, coriander, cumin, cloves, Lea and Perrins and Tabasco and stir until the cheese and half and half are blended in well

Gently stir in the crawfish, shrimp and/or chicken and serve with white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and drizzle with some dry sherry.

Serves 6-8

PF Chang's Mongolian Beef


PF Chang's takes me straight back to my early 20's. It was always a popular place for girl's nights and first dates. Besides the lettuce wraps, I almost always ordered the Mongolian Beef. It's great served over rice or rice noodles!

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 cup)
1 lb flank steak
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 large green onions, sliced on the diagonal into one-inch lengths

Preparation:
1. Make the sauce by heating 2 tsp of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over med/low heat.
2. Don't get the oil too hot.
3. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches.
4. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
5. Remove it from the heat.
6. Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4" thick bite-size slices (Tilt the blade of your knife at about a forty five degree angle to the top of the steak so that you get wider cuts).
7. Dip the steak pieces into the cornstarch to apply a very thin dusting to both sides of each piece of beef.
8. Let the beef sit for about 10 minutes so that the cornstarch sticks.
9. As the beef sits, heat up one cup of oil in a wok (you may also use a skillet for this step as long as the beef will be mostly covered with oil).
10. Heat the oil over medium heat until it's nice and hot, but not smoking.
11. Add the beef to the oil and sauté for just two minutes, or until the beef just begins to darken on the edges.
12. You don't need a thorough cooking here since the beef is going to go back on the heat later.
13. Stir the meat around a little so that it cooks evenly.
14. After a couple minutes, use a large slotted spoon to take the meat out and onto paper towels, then pour the oil out of the wok or skillet.
15. Put the pan back over the heat, dump the meat back into it and simmer for one minute.
16. Add the sauce, cook for one minute while stirring, then add all the green onions.
17. Cook for one more minute, then remove the beef and onions with tongs or a slotted spoon to a serving plate.
18. Leave the excess sauce behind in the pan.

Rotini with Sausage and Asparagus (By The Big Cheese)

Oh Olive Garden...how I love thee! There's not a ton of my favorite ingredient (cheese!), but this still rocks my world. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/2 lb Italian sausage, sweet or hot, casing removed

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 lb asparagus, fresh

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 lb rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions

2 Tbsp butter

Parmesan cheese, grated

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedures
HEAT oil in non-stick sauté pan. Add sausage. While sausage is cooking, break up with spoon. When sausage is completely cooked, drain fat.

CUT bottom 2” off asparagus stems (the inedible part), then cut remaining stem into 1” pieces. Boil asparagus until tender in a separate pan. Drain and allow to cool. Remove tips from asparagus and set tips aside.

COMBINE asparagus and heavy cream. Simmer 10-12 minutes over medium heat.
ADD hot, drained pasta to asparagus cream sauce. Add parmesan and butter. Add cooked sausage and sauté until simmering. Salt and pepper to taste.

TRANSFER to large platter. Garnish with asparagus tips and serve.