Archive for December, 2009
One of the most basic culinary tasks is cooking a steak. With that being said, all steaks are not created equal. This recipe will let you get a perfect sear on the steak—which will lock in the juices—then finish it slow in the oven so that it melts in your mouth. 
Ingredients
~ 1 boneless rib eye steak, 1 inch thick
~ Canola oil to coat
~ Organic meat rub
Directions
Place a 10 to 12-inch cast iron in oven and heat oven to 500 degrees. Bring steaks to room temperature.
When oven reaches temperature, remove pan and place on range over high heat. Coat steak with canola oil and season both sides with the organic meat rub. Immediately place rib eye steaks in the middle of the hot, dry pan. Cook 30 seconds without moving. Turn with tongs and cook another 30 seconds, then put the pan straight into the oven for 2 minutes. Flip steak and cook another 2 minutes. Cook longer for temperatures beyond medium rare.
Remove steaks from pan, cover loosely with foil and rest for two minutes. Serve whole or sliced thin and fanned onto a plate.
Picture Pork On Your Holiday Table
After so many years of having ham at Easter and turkey for Thanksgiving, it’s about time Americans feast on something else during the holidays. A roast pork loin, for example, is a non-traditional yet familiar enough not to scare no-nonsense diners from the table. And, if you’re not willing to change up the Easter or Thanksgiving entrees try fixing your family a pork loin roast recipe for Christmas or New Year’s dinner. Here’s an easy recipe for pork loin roast with orange glaze:
Ingredients
~4 oz thawed frozen orange juice concentrate
~2 Tbsp melted butter
~2 Tbsp steak sauce
~1 pork loin roast (4 to 5 pounds)
Preparation
Apply a liberal amount of the pork rub to the outside of the meat. Blend the first three ingredients and brush over pork; bake at 350-degrees F for 2 ½ hours or until pork is fully cooked. Baste again ten minutes before serving. Serves 4 to 6 people.
Store bought seasoning mixes are a quick and easy way to maximize the flavor in virtually any dish. These combinations eliminate the need to buy dozens of different spices and are sure to mesh perfectly with their specified meal. Although there are some great advantages to these handy shortcuts, be sure to read the packaging before you make you purchase.
Many seasoning blends contain high levels of salt, which can cause a problem with some dishes. Make sure that you buy low or no salt seasonings so that you can control the amount of sodium in your dish. This is especially important with naturally salty foods, like many types of seafood and pork.