Food Porn

I haven't posted in awhile because I've been out of the country on the Simple Man Cruise with my boyfriend Shawn & his band, Son of a Bad Man. It was a BLAST. Shawn & I stayed in South Beach for Halloween, so, very soon, I will be back into the swing of things. I figured I'd post a beautiful photo that I took (with my iPhone 4) at Les Halles (Anthony Bourdain's restaurant in NYC) of beef tartare. I recently printed this on a large canvas for my kitchen. Enjoy. ;)

Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nuea)

Serves 4-5

My family has been frequenting a certain local Jacksonville Thai restaurant for about 17 years now. Pattaya Thai Grille was once owned and operated by our friend Lek, who's son, Russell, now owns and it and is the main chef. 

Shawn & I were invited to a dinner with new friends recently where we were to bring a dish made with flank steak, and then all of the dishes were to be voted on. I told Lek about this food contest, and she verbally gave me the recipe for her version of Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nuea). I put my own style into it, and it was quite a hit at the dinner!

The measurements below are guesstimates, since I make this by taste. If you like your food very spicy, add another chili pepper... If you're not into spice, SHAME ON YOU! Just kidding. ;) Just use 1 chili pepper. If you cannot find thin soy, use Tamari or regular soy sauce, but taste the mixture before pouring it all over your steak. You may want to add a little more lime juice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. flank steak 
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 
• 3 tbsp. thin soy sauce 
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar 
• 4 cloves garlic 
• 2 chili peppers 
• 1 med. white onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 green onion, sliced 
• 3 cups fresh cilantro, chopped 
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish 
• 3 medium tomatoes, sliced for garnish 
• Jasmine rice

Directions:

Take your steaks out of the refrigerator to let them warm to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Turn your grill on (I have an electric grill since I live in a condo & am not allowed to have gas or charcoal). Let it get to high heat (about 15 minutes).

Prep your onion, green onion, cilantro, tomatoes and set aside.

In a food processor or blender, finely chop the garlic and chili pepper. Set the mixture aside.

Grill the flank steaks for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they're done to your liking. Let the cooked steaks rest on the counter.

Arrange sliced tomatoes on your nicest platter or large plate. In a bowl, mix together the garlic/chili pepper, lime juice, thin soy, and sugar. This is your sauce... and wow, it's good.

Cut flank steaks into quarter-inch slices - cut against the grain, or your meat will be chewy. Cut the slices in half, and then arrange half of the meat on the serving platter. Stack your meat high to make it look like there's a lot of it. Arrange half of the sliced onions on top of the meat. Pour half of the sauce over the meat & onions. Generously sprinkle some of the fresh cilantro on top. Repeat with the rest of the meat, then the onion, the rest of the sauce, more cilantro, and then top with the sliced green onion and fresh mint.

Serve with jasmine rice, and make sure to spoon that delicious sauce over the rice. Bon appetit! 

Easy, Healthier Fajitas

My best friend, Amy, told me how to make these simple, and more-healthy-than-your-typical fajitas. The veggies & meat are broiled instead of pan-seared in oil. I love making them because they are so easy, but you can give them some pizzazz & they'll impress your guests! 

Ingredients:

• 1 Red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 Green bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 Medium red onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• Whole baby portabello mushrooms, cut in half
• 4 Cloves of garlic (small bulb)
• 1/2 lb. Chicken breast tenders, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 lb. Beef, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (or just do 1 lb. chicken)
• 1 Lime
• Small sour cream
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Small flour tortillas
• Badia fajita seasoning
• Olive oil

Directions:

Arrange veggies on a foil-lined broiler pan or cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with fajita seasoning & drizzle with olive oil.  Broil on high for 6-8 minutes (about 4 inches under heat).

Arrange meat on a foil-lined broiler pan.  Sprinkle generously with fajita seasoning.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Broil on high for 5-7 minutes (about 4 inches under heat).

Serve with warm flour tortillas, lime wedges, and sour cream**. Make it look fancy by sprinkling some chopped fresh cilantro onto the cooked meat. :)

**I like to make a simple cilantro sour cream by mixing chopped fresh cilantro into sour cream.

Enjoy! ♥