Thai Steak Salad

The fresh herbs and vegetables in this Thai inspired salad give it its vibrant flavor.  The dressing is delicious on both the salad and the steak making it a perfect combination... the cool crisp greens with the tender savory steak.  It is quick and easy to make, especially if you have an herb garden and a well-stocked Chinese pantry.  I serve it with short grain brown rice to balance out the flavors and textures for my kid's developing palettes.

1 (1 1/2-pound) flank steak, trimmed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup fresh lime juice 

2 tablespoon brown sugar 

4 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoon fish sauce

4 teaspoons minced fresh garlic

2 teaspoon Sriracha

4 cups thinly sliced nappa cabbage

1 cup julienne-cut carrots

2/3 cup fresh mint leaves

2/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves

2/3 cup fresh basil leaves

Sprinkle steak evenly with pepper and salt. Grill or broil steak for 6 minutes each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove steak from grill/broiler; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices

Combine juice and next 5 ingredients (through Sriracha) in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.

Combine cabbage and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Add 2/3 C juice mixture to cabbage mixture; toss well. Toss steak in remaining 4 tablespoons juice mixture. Add steak to cabbage mixture; toss to combine.

Hominy and Bean Chili

Sometimes dinner-time can sneak up on you. Next time it does, try making this chili. All of the ingredients can be kept on-hand and it comes together REALLY quickly. Pair it with cornbread, and you can put it all together while the cornbread is in the oven! I like this chili becuase it's fast, easy and the flavor is just right. The chili powder is not too overwhelming, the tomatoes lend just enough sweetness, and the hominy are a welcomed treat. Even my non-chili-loving-husband gave it a thumbs up! Not bad for dinner on a whim.





Hominy and Bean Chili (adapted from Cooking Light)

1/2 pound extra lean hamburger (optional)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (do not use oil if adding meat)
2 large cloves of garlic, minced (or 2 tsps. bottled minced garlic)
3 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15.5-ounce) can white hominy, drained
1 (15-ounce) can red beans, drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped

Toppings:
cilantro
diced tomatos
minced white onion
monterey jack cheese
low-fat sour cream

Preparation
(If using meat in the chili: First, brown the meat, adding the garlic at the last minute. Then add the rest the ingredients as stated below.)

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in chili powder and next 5 ingredients (chili powder through stewed tomatoes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Serves 4 (1 1/4 servings)

Serve it with your favorite cornbread (or try the recipe below), and some cut up fruit or a green salad.
Buttermilk Cornbread

1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Preparation
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together egg and next 2 ingredients; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Pour batter into 8x8 pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until golden.

Grilled Sirloin Skewers with Peaches and Peppers

A perfect summer dinner. This recipe is fresh, bright, and bursting with flavor. The vinegar parsley sauce nicely complements and garnishes the rest of the dish. Serve this dish with a green vegetable that is in season and a rice side.

Grilled Sirloin Skewers with Peaches and Peppers
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light
Kebabs:
1 tbs ground cumin
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 3/4 tsp kosher salt
2 pounds boneless sirloin steak, cut into 48 (1-inch) pieces
4 peaches, each cut into 8 wedges
2 small red onions, each cut into 8 wedges
2 large red or green bell peppers, each cut into 8 (1-inch) pieces

Sauce:
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
Parsley sprigs (optional)

Preparation:
Prepare grill.

To prepare kebabs, combine first 7 ingredients; toss well. Thread 3 steak pieces, 2 peach wedges, 1 onion wedge, and 1 bell pepper piece alternately onto each of 16 (12-inch) skewers. Place kebabs on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. Place kebabs on a platter; cover loosely with foil. Let stand 5 minutes.

To prepare sauce, combine chopped parsley and next 5 ingredients (chopped parsley through garlic), stirring with a whisk. Spoon over kebabs. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.