Dylan & Erica’s Place…

Dylan and I had our first BBQ at our house a couple of weeks ago.  It was fun.  I have some awesome co-worker’s that I invited over who were in town.  Luckily I was able to catch Kelly (A coworker who I like to hang around with because we understand each other.  She is planning her wedding and I just got married and we can bond over the ups and down of wedding planning.  Ahhhh how thankful I am that is over with) and her fiancee’ in town.  Kelly’s fiancee’ Bill lives in Kentucky so I wanted to make sure he was able to join in on the fun. They are super awesome people to hang around with and Dylan and I really need some more “married” friends (Techinally.. they aren’t but SOON TO BE!)

 I would have invited more people but I live so far out.. people just don’t like coming over.  Luckily Kelly’s apartment is on my side a town along with my … work spouse Marsh.  I can’t LEAVE out my workspouse! He will get invited to every BBQ no matter what!!

What is a work spouse you ask?

A work spouse is a co-worker (usually of the opposite sex with whom one shares a special relationship, having bonds similar to those of a marriage; such as, special confidences, loyalties, shared jokes and experiences, and an unusual degree of honesty or openness. The work spouse is a potentially key relationship when one’s actual spouse or boy/girlfriend is not able to understand the nuances of the workplace. (Wikipedia, 2008).

 Well Dylan and I needed a good excuse to buy a new BBQ so what is better than, “Dylan sweetie we are having BBQ tomorrow so we need a new pit” Score! We got one and decicded to make some ribs, steaks, and kabobs! I LOVED LOVED the Kabobs they are so yummy and fantastic! Mmmmm.  Dylan did all the grilling but I was able to make the sides! Enjoy the photos taken by Marsh Wong.  Oh and also check out his website and some other photos located here and here.

Super Steak Kabobs 

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar 
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons canola oil  
16 large mushrooms, cut in half 
2 green onions, minced   
4 medium onions, cut into quarters
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
2 pounds of beef sirloin steak, cut 1-inch thick
salt and pepper
skewers
Combine the soy sauce, cider vinegar, honey, canola oil, green onions, salt and peper in bowl.

Cut steak into 1-inch cubes, marinate with vegetables, for 2-4 hours, refrigerated.   Soak 16 small bamboo skewers in water for 1/2 hour before threading with meat and vegetables.

Alternate with mushroom halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms. Lightly oil the grill grate.  Grill kabobs, uncovered, over medium coals (or broil 3 inches from heat) for 12-14 minutes or until meat is done, turning kabobs once.

Erica’s Version of Twice Baked Potatoes

5 large russet baking potatoes
1 green onion package
3 strips of turkey bacon
10 oz light sour cream
1 package of reduced fat shredded cheese
salt and pepper ***

Boil potatoes in pot until potatoes are soft with a fork.  Takes approximately 40-50 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350.

Peel and grate potatoes with grater into large bowl.  Microwave or fr 3 strips of bacon and chop into small bits.  Chop up green onions and sautee in small pan.  Add the bacon, green onions,sour cream, cheese (save about 3 oz for top of potatoes) in the grated potatoes.  Add salt and pepper
for taste.

Place the potato mixture into a cassarole dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top of poatoes.

Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese on top is melted.

*** You can use regular ingredients for a more profound taste but it adds extra calories.  It is super yummy no matter what you use however!

This Friday at work we had a bakeoff. First was the breakfast entry. It had to be something unique something yummy and something that plated well. I decided to go Paula Deen style, “Ya’ll”. It came out VERY well. However I guess alot of people didn’t think it was unique enough. Hmmmm my husband did. His response to what I was making, “Who eats chicken fried steak for breakfast?” My answer, “People in the South and Paula Deen”. Overall my item came in third in taste. That’s all that matters right? Just how it tastes? For the chicken fried steak I used the typical batter recipe. I used my father’s. He taught me everything to know about chicken fried steak. Gosh I love his steaks!! Hmmm I’m hungry now.

Daddy Kaspar’s Chicken Fried Steak

• 2 cups of flour (seasoned with 1 tablespoon of fresh ground pepper)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 tenderized beef round steak (about 2 lbs)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of Tony’s
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 black pepper
• oil for frying

Preheat oil in Fry Daddy (or fryer as seen here). Heat oil up to 350-400. Combine the garlic powder, salt , Tony’s black pepper in small bowl. Season the steak with seasoning just made on both sides of meat. Dip the steaks in the buttermilk. Transfer the milk coated steaks to the flour and coat until nice and white.

Add 2 -3 of the battered steaks to the hot oil (fryer) and fry until browned, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Paula Deen’s Basic Biscuits

• 1 package yeast
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 3/4 cup Crisco shortening
• 2 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dissolve yeast in warm water; set aside. Mix dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening. Add yeast and buttermilk and mix well. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll out to desired thickness. Cut with small biscuit cutter and place on greased baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Split biscuits in half and top with country fried steak and drizzle with gravy.

Yield 3 dozen, Adapted from Mrs. Paula Deen