Steaks with Cross-hatch marks

For years I would see pictures of steaks with beautiful and appetizing grill marks on them. Never crossed my mind how they got there. I just knew that my steaks didn't have them. After watching The Food Network repeatedly, the secret was revealed. (Thanks to Bobby Flay!) You simply turn the steak, or whatever piece of meat your grilling, so it marks in both directions. It works on an outdoor grill or on an indoor grill pan. And there you have the secret of the cross-hatch revealed! Yes, it's really that simple. Does it change the taste of the steak, chicken, pork. etc? Absolutely not. But it looks gorgeous on the plate. Now, my steaks taste delicious and look fabulous!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

The weekend

I haven't posted a lot lately, but I have been cooking. Let me tell you about the meals from the last few days...

There were the onion cheeseburgers.... Wow! These were so good! You'll notice in the recipe that I use a very lean beef. I rarely buy anything more fat than this. I like the taste better and I have more meat left after cooking. It's also a little bit healthier than the commonly used 80/20.

The recipe:
2 lbs 93/7 ground beef
one medium yellow onion (Vidalia onion if you can get it) chopped fine
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet on medium high heat. Mix ground beef and onions. Season with salt and pepper. Make thin hamburger patties (about 9). You want these to be thin so they cook through quickly.

Place the hamburgers patties in the hot skillet (no oil) and leave them. When patties are brown, turn and let the other side brown. When patties are almost done (and it doesn't take long) place a slice of cheese on top to melt. I used American cheese, but you can use any melty cheese that you like. Remove patties from skillet and place on a plate to rest. Continue until all patties are cooked.

In a separate skillet, brown hamburger buns. (I used my tortilla pan) Melt butter in the skillet/pan, butter the buns and place on the skillet. Remove when buns are toasted and lightly brown.

Slice tomatoes and tear some leaf lettuce for toppings.

Last step: Build your burger. Use whatever condiments you like and enjoy!

Another night I cooked smoked sausage with peppers and onions over rice. If you follow me on Facebook, you know that my Saturday meal was a Southern classic: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens, rolls, sweet iced tea AND peach cobbler for dessert.

I remove all of the skin and as much fat as I can before I fry the chicken. I wouldn't call it healthy frying, but I figure I'll remove as much of it as I can before I fry it. (It sounds healthy, right? lol)

I didn't take pics, but you get the picture.

Live well, eat well, enjoy... Cyn aka Fine Mama

The holiday weekend BBQ

So, today I grilled. It was a fantabulous meal! Made a buffalo chicken dip with Frank's Red Hot Sauce, a Spinach Salad with Lemon & Pepper Dressing (recipe from McCormick), baked beans, a Warm Bacon Potato Salad courtesy of Food Network, and then I grilled ribs, chicken breasts, hamburgers, shrimp, catfish, brats, and hot links. Oh, and I had fresh strawberries and watermelon, too. My dining room table was overflowing with good food and everyone here ate and enjoyed. I've posted pics of this meal. If you'd like to know how I cooked something that doesn't have a recipe hyperlink, just leave a comment. I'm happy to share.








Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

The Holiday Weekend is here!

It's the 4th of July weekend. A time when we all celebrate the nation's birthday. Fireworks, fun and food, of course! Summer holidays are my inspiration to grill. Okay, I really don't need "inspiration." I just love to grill.

Look for grilling pics and recipes this weekend. Did I mention I LOVE to grill? Oh yeah I think I did.

Happy 4th of July friends!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

P.S. The slide show on the side is pics of past culinary creations. Check them out!