Saturday, May 30, 2009

What to do with a tough steak?

Recently our supermarket had a sale on Cross rib steak. So of course I had to try it. Some of it was pretty good, but one package was TOUGH.

Since we had eaten only part of the package, I debated about what to do with the rest. Finally, I decided to cut it into pieces about 2" across and put it in the crock pot with a can of tomatoes and some chopped onions.

I left it on low for most of the day, and dinner was a huge success!

That tough meat was SO tender that you'd have thought it was the most expensive cut on the counter.

Served with green beans and some salad, this is a meal that could even be fit for company...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Perfect Barbecued Chicken

Barbecue season is fast approaching!

I love cooking on the barbecue in summer - to be outside, and to avoid making such a big mess in the kitchen. But chicken has always been a problem. It seems like by the time it's cooked on the inside, it's burned on the outside.

Well, I found the solution!

This involves being in the kitchen a little bit, but the mess is minimal.

Simply get out a big baking sheet - one with a rim - and cover it with aluminum foil. Then lay out your chicken pieces in a single layer. Salt and pepper them to suit your taste.

Now, while you're getting things ready and the barbecue is heating, put them in the oven at 375 degrees for a half hour. This will par-cook the chicken so it doesn't need to stay so long on the grill in order to get done.

When you take it out of the oven, apply your favorite barbecue sauce and finish cooking it on the grill.