Gonna eat a lot of peaches… (Presidents of the U.S.A. anyone?? Am I just that old?)
Tonight’s dinner was a direct result of watching far foo much Food Network again. Adam and I caught an episode of Good Eats the other day where Alton Brown discussed the type of steak known as “cube steak”. We watched him make multiple varieties of similar dishes, all of which involved dredging said cube steak in flour, cooking it in a small amount of oil, making a gravy using a variety of ingredients, and then serving with some sort of starch.
Adam requested soon after seeing that episode that I make something similar. Being the health-conscious cook that I am, I couldn’t bring myself to make the country fried steak with cream-pepper gravy, but I could easily make a less oil-heavy dish. I found a recipe on Allrecipes.com and decided to give it a try.
Not too pretty, but SO GOOD
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound cube steak, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 cup all-purpose flour for coating
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
2 cups water, or as needed
salt and pepper to taste
garlic salt to taste
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat cube steak pieces with flour, and shake off the excess. Fry steak pieces in the hot oil just until browned on each side and there are some juices in the pan. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Stir together the onion soup mix and 1 tablespoon of flour; sprinkle into the skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat until it starts to brown. Gradually mix in the water to make a gravy. Return the cube steak to the pan, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Cover, and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour.
I was still in the kitchen making up my plate and taking pictures when Adam took his first bite. It’s one of the first times in a long time where he said “Whoa!” when he took the first bite, and proudly exclaimed “You don’t need to bring in a knife for yourself!” The meat was just THAT tender after cooking for an hour.
Oh, and that stuff you see on the side? You thought it was mashed potatoes, didn’t you. It’s ok, that was the point! It was mashed cauliflower!!! I steamed a head of cauliflower until it was super soft, then pureed it with my stick blender. I stirred in 1 Tbsp. light sour cream and 1 tsp. Smart Balance. It didn’t taste like mashed potatoes, but it certainly made an excellent side dish!
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!
What big day? Meghann’s Blogger Bake Sale! I’ve donated 4 loaves of my delicious challah to the bake sale, and each of them will go to the highest bidder!! You even get to choose your seed topping (though traditional is poppy seed, sesame seed, or plain) or an add-in (like dried cranberries or raisins). All the proceeds go towards Meghann’s Team in Training mission to eliminate Leukemia and Lymphoma. BID TOMORROW!!!!
In other blogger news, my good friend Bobby has a relatively new running blog, and he’s prepping to run the Illinois Marathon! Check him out and show him your support!
We have a super-busy week this week, with Adam’s birthday on Wednesday and a dinner at Wildfire to celebrate (Jealous Bender????) Then, we have our family’s Passover seder Thursday night, complete with tons of traditional Jewish foodie favorites, and, for the first time, I’m bringing someone to seder who has NEVER been to one! Usually, I bring people who have been to dozens. I’m so excited! Friday brings my much-anticipated foodie date with the amazing EatingBender, which will include trips to Whole Foods, Fresh Market, a tour of the ginormous Chicagoland mansions, and sushi! I’m so excited for that too! PHEW!
Since tonight is simply a relaxing night, I’m off to do just that: coconut milk ice cream, Shrek, and chillin’. PLEASE bid on my challah tomorrow! You won’t regret it! Just ask Hallie! Goodnight!
HOORAY FOR COMFORT FOOD!! And for Food Network
What a fun week ahead of you!! Enjoy the seder, “date” with Miss Eating Bender, dinner outing… EVERYTHING!!
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..Episode 10 of VeggieGirl TV: Q&A Session #2 (And More!!)
you are freakin amazing with your ability to do these fab posts day after day after day.
seriously.
and I loved that song.
husband and I still sing it
MizFit´s last blog post..Sunday Update of Sorts…
oh wow, that looks so delicious!
jessie´s last blog post..sunday bloody sunday
Hi Mara!!
THank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement on my last post. It’s so hard being a stress eater, but having your understanding and your NON-disgust at my eating ways makes me feel THAT much better. Thank you Mara!!
I DID get your email, but I haven’t had a chance to respond because of this hectic week. I just re-looked at the banner and think it’s SUPER cute!! The one I have up is a creation from the bf not too long ago, so he might a little offended if I take it down now, but the next time I put up a new banner, it’ll be the one you made!! THANK YOU!!! you’re too awesome! Did you do it in photoshop?!?!
Michelle´s last blog post..Serious Stress-fest
Looks tasty!
Matt´s last blog post..Fuel For Running: Salmon and Brown Rice with Teriyaki Vegetables
You are not that old – I would sing that song in my car at the top of my lungs driving to and from high school
Your week does sound jam-packed – have fun!
Andrea of Care to Eat´s last blog post..Andrea: I can see clearly now…
Ok, phew! LOVE that song, and my best friend and i would drive around singing it super loud too!!
i’ve been watching too much food network, too! we weren’t getting it for a long time, but it just reappeared. i can’t get enough!
you have SUCH an amazing week coming up, esp the seder, my favorite event of the entire year
. i’m going home next weekend for ours — i can’t wait!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog post..Winnerzzzzz
Our seder is on Easter Sunday…gotta love the irony in that.
That steak looks delicious! I’ve never had cube steak before (I don’t think?).
And yes…Mara’s Challah is freaking AWESOME and people should bid a LOT of money to get one…it’s worth it! Mmm…the memories
man! i want some Mara challah to take home!
delicious dinner! your tatoes are picture perfect!
glidingcalm´s last blog post..Not a Fan of Scrambled Eggs- but Tofu Scramble? (2 Reviews)
I remember it
Becca A´s last blog post..Taste of Spring
Mashed cauliflower – sneaky sneaky!
Coconut Milk Ice Cream?? Sounds really good to me!! Enjoy relaxing!!
Melissa´s last blog post..Weekend Wrap-up!
mmm mara
Pearl´s last blog post..The Fatal Fruit
It happens to me too often that after I read recipe book or shows I want to cook a big fancy meal!!
yours looks fantastic!
coco´s last blog post..Not as planned!!~~
I think your Challah will go pretty fast! It look amazing!
Krista´s last blog post..My Wallet is Calling S.O.S!!!
I’m pretty sure I’m going to bid on your bread
It looked so amazing.
Rose´s last blog post..Sunstruck Oatmeal
I remember that song well. LOL!!
I also have lots of memories of cube steak and gravy concoctions. It was an economical cut, and I ate it a lot as a kid. One of my favorite ways to have it was in an onion and tomato saucy gravy cooked in the slow cooker. It has been ages! Thanks for reminding me!
Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog post..Cookies and Blooms
You’re not too old, don’t worry
Love your delicious-looking home-cookin’.
Lara´s last blog post..Trend-Follower (04/04/09 & 04/05/09)
Tried your Country Style Steak Recipe last night – absolute hit with the family – thanks for your great blog!!
Maddie´s last blog post..Arthritis Holistic Medicines
Um, jealous does not even begin to describe. More like GREEN WITH ENVY!! It’s been almost two months since I’ve graced Wildfire with my presence. I think it misses me!
I am so excited for our date, you have no idea! I keep thinking, “let it be Friday!”
Ooh, and I love the country-style steak, too
eatingbender´s last blog post..Bake Sales + Birthdays
“Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man, in a factory down-towwwwwwwn. If I had my little way, I’d eat peaches every day, sun-soakin’ bulges in the shade.”
I may love that song. And the video, with the ninjas. I have the cd. But I’m sure you already knew that.
Marianne´s last blog post..Pull Up A Chair