Idaho Broil

I tried a new recipe last night for London Broil.

It was terrible.

I'm sure the recipe would have been fine if my oven wasn't completely stupid.  Most ovens I've seen have the normal temperature settings and then a broil setting.  If you were lucky it had a self cleaning or a "warm" setting.

My oven is an over achiever. 

It not only has ALL these things, it's broiler has TWO settings. HI broil and LO broil.

Recipes do not support my broiler operating system.

This is where I have to guess.  I tried HI broil first and after about 3 minutes I noticed smoke coming out of my oven.

awesome.

I opened the door to find my roasting pan warped, smoking, and utterly ruined.  We hurriedly ripped open all the doors and windows so our super sensitive smoke alarms wouldn't go off and cause my children to start screaming at the "beep beeps".

I should have stuck with my tried and true recipe for this sometimes difficult cut of meat.

Beef with Asparagus

1 lb London Broil
Dried Rosemary
4 Tbsp butter
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 bunch asparagus
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt n Peppa
Garlic Powder

MEAT: Start by making cross cuts 1/8 inch deep and 1 inch apart on both sides of the meat, creating a diamond pattern.  Next, melt the butter in the microwave with the minced garlic and rosemary.  Season meat with Salt n Peppa and rub butter mixture on both sides, making sure to get into the cuts.  In a heavy skillet (I use cast iron), heat vegetable oil over medium high heat until hot.  Add meat and cook 5-7 minutes on each side.  If you don't like how pink it is, just cook a little longer.  Remove from pan, cover with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes.  Slice against the grain into thin slices.

ASPARAGUS: Wanna see something easy?  Trim ends off asparagus (super easy, just hold it in the middle and bend. It will break where it's supposed to! MAGIC!) and place on a foil lined baking sheet. drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus).  That's it.

Serve 'em side by side with some fresh fruit salad or mashed potatoes or wild rice.

Bazinga.

♥ K8

Thanksgiving Chicken

I want Thanksgiving.  Now.  In May.  But turkey is so expensive outside that magical November-January window!  So I made do with what I had.  Chicken.  It's close right?  White poultry meat...without the coma after! 

My mom has a fantastic recipe for the best turkey ever.  Maybe it's because I grew up on it, but it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving if I'm eating a turkey NOT made with her recipe.  Like it's not really turkey...more like one of those tofu turkeys or something.

Thanksgiving Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (approx. 5 oz each)
1 stick butter
Rosemary (I only have dried on hand)
Sage
Thyme
2 cloves Garlic (powder or fresh minced)
Salt n Peppa

Preheat oven to 375.  In a microwave safe dish place butter on its side and cover the top of it with the spices (I just eyeballed it so I don't have exact measurements sorry!).  Microwave for 1 minute until butter is melted and the spices are smelling divine.  Place your chicken breasts in an ungreased 9x13 dish.  Spoon, brush, or pour butter mixture over chicken and place in the oven for 30-45 minutes depending on thickness of chicken.  Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes or so.  My house smelled like Thanksgiving.  My mouth tasted sorta like Thanksgiving, but without the crispy skin and amazing side dishes only my mom can perfectly recreate (except sweet potatoes).

This Thanksgiving we'll be somewhere and most likely unable to go home for Thanksgiving.  So I'll be calling my mom for all her recipes in an effort to recreate the cherished meal only her hand has truly mastered.  

Sorry, no picture. I ate it too fast.

♥ K8

Pinterest Popcorn

First off I would like to say...

WHAT HAPPENED TO BLOGGER IN THE LAST MONTH SINCE I POSTED?!

Second, I found an amazing recipe for popcorn on Pinterest.

A recent facebook status said something about Pinterest and I commented with

"Pinterest, the only place you can find the motivation and inspiration to work out and be fit...and the foods to destroy it."

So true.  You can find ANYTHING in this world on Pinterest.  Inspirational quotes that touch your heart when you're having a bad day.  The perfect color scheme for your imaginary wedding.  A picture of a woman with rock hard abs and buns that could cure cancer.  And this.

Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn

source: Pinterest

1 bag popcorn, popped (I used Butter Lovers for extra fat, I mean deliciousness)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (or 9-10 big marshmallows)

You put the sugar and the butter into a microwave safe container and microwave for aboot a minute and a half til the butter is all melty and the sugar is thinking "hey I like this butter guy...maybe we should mix it up".  Not a sugar psychic? That's ok, I'm sure you have other talents. Stir it all up and then add the marshmallows and microwave for another minute.  Have you ever microwaved a marshmallow?  It's insane.  They grow.  Make sure your microwave safe container is larger than a 2 cup capacity measuring cup or you WILL end up with marshmallow goo all over your microwave {not that I have experience in this}.  Stir it all together until the marshmallows are completely melted and you have something similar to the stuff you dump into rice crispies for rice crispy treats.  You remember that popcorn?  Yeah buddy.  Dump the marshmallow mixture on top.  Get one of those rubber spatulas and SCRAAAAAAAPE the sides so you get every last gooey drop in there.  Mix it all together until well coated and spread on wax paper to cool.  Or do what I did and just eat it warm.  I found it much better warm.

Pinterest, you're such a cruel mistress to those of us who are trying to be healthier.

♥ K8