No Grill? No Problem!

Every where I look these days, someone seems to be talking about grilling out. It's all over the blogs, magazines, even the tv. This would be fine and dandy, given it is summer and all, except for the fact that grilling is not so possible when you live in a high rise apartment complex. Not that this is reason enough to move out to the burbs or anything, but we all want what we don't have, and I would love nothing more than to throw some burgers on the grill on a hot Friday night. 

So what is a city dweller such as myself supposed to do (short of renting a house in the Hamptons with a huge yard and state of the art grilling station, that is)? Make this ridiculously good steak sandwich, of course! Yes, cooking a steak on the stove will probably fill your apartment with enough smoke to warrant a few red trucks, but it's totally worth it. The cooking method for the steak gives it that perfect crusty outside and medium-rare inside. And the onions and sauce and bread - oh, it's just so yummy! We paired it with a big bowl of berries and our all time favorite summer drink.

I want to send big hugs to Jamie at Life's A Feast, for honoring me with this award. She is as sweet as pie, and I'm so lucky to count her as one of my fabulous foodie friends. Thank-you so very much Jamie!

Also a big Happy Birthday to my baby brother (he might be 6'4, but he'll always be little to me), Cameron!! 

I also wanted to let ya'll know that I finally caved and joined Twitter, so please come play with me! 

Steak Sandwich

Adapted from Ina Garten

1 12-ounce 1-inch thick NY strip boneless beef top loin steak

salt and pepper

olive oil

1 large red onion

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

2 mini focaccia or ciabatta rolls

1/2 cup baby arugula

mustard mayo (recipe below)

• Season steak liberally with S&P on both sides.
• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a medium saute pan over high heat, just until smoking.
• Sear steak on both sides for 1 minute each.
• Reduce heat to low and continue cooking 7-10 minutes, flipping only once halfway.
• Set steak on a side plate and cover with aluminum foil for 10 minutes, then thinly slice.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in same pan over medium heat.
• Add onions and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until onions are caramelized.
• For sandwich assembly: spread mustard mayo on bottom half of each bun, top with a layer of steak strips, sprinkling of S&P, onions, and arugula. Press down on top bun and serve.

Mustard Mayo:

3/4 cup mayo

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

2 tablespoons sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt

• Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.

The King's Favorite

Let me start this post off with a little disclaimer - I am hurtin' today. See, my bachelorette party was this past weekend. Combine a bunch of girls who go months at a time without seeing each other, a little (or a lot) of alcohol, a crazy reason to celebrate and no sleep and you will understand why I've had trouble getting out of bed today. We had an absolutely amazing time and now we must all pay the price.

In my state I'm looking for a particular kinda something to eat - must take minimal effort to make, contain only staple items that I already have on hand and have absolutely no semblance of being "healthy." This little sandwich fits the bill. It takes no more effort than a grilled cheese and, being in this not-so-amazing state, tasted like the most delicious thing I've ever had. Peanut butter, bread, bananas, fried - 'nough said.

This fried PB & banana sandwich was apparently Elvis's favorite snack. Although I would think it would qualify more as a full on meal, I can see why he liked it so much. Paula also added her little spin on it and added a bit more sugar to the bread (leave it to Paula to make something already glutinous that much more fattening!). I don't really know much about Elvis except that he was originally from Tupelo, MS, which is the same place that one of my beloved bachelorette patrons lives. Mrs. L is the cutest thing you ever did see, and she was a major trooper this weekend. So this tasty treat is in her honor. Thanks L - enjoy! I'll be eating this in bed...

Please visit the link below for the recipe:

Paula's Fried PB & Banana Sandwich
Adapted from Paula's Home Cooking - Paula Deen

The Ultimate

I always feel like I've gotten a full body workout after watching a Tyler Florence show. That man moves a million miles an hour! He knows his food though, and his "ultimate" title sure does seem to fit. So even though he doesn't come off that beginner friendly, I decided I had to try something he's made. So what better to start off with than a grilled cheese? I mean grilled cheese is fairly straightforward and if every college kid in America can bang one out, I sure should be able to too!

This is no average grilled cheese though. This one is loaded with bacon, apples, yummy cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard and thick country white bread. No, it's definitely not the most diet friendly choice, but just try to run around the kitchen like Tyler and I think it will all even out ;)

This decadent sandwich is totally doable and a definite crowd pleaser. So pull out your non-stick fry pans and make yourself something impressively delicious and so simple that even I was able to pull it off without a hitch!

Tyler's Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Adapted from Tyler's Ultimate - Tyler Florence

8 slices thick white bread

12 ounces sliced cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

12 slices cooked bacon

1 thinly sliced green apple

Dijon mustard

• Turn heat up to medium low beneath a fry pan or griddle.
• Spread Dijon on 4 pieces of bread on one side.
• Place cheese, 3 slices of bacon, apple slices and more cheese over the Dijon.
• Top with another piece of bread and spread butter over the top of the sandwich.
• Place butter side down into pan and cook for a few minutes until the inside begins to get a bit melty and the bread develops a nice golden crust.
• Flip to other side and cook until that side is also golden brown and the cheese is melted all the way.