Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

While trying to use up ground beef in my freezer I came across this recipe I had in my Recipe Box on Food Network. Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy featured on Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee.

My extensive liquor cabinet (holds 4-5 bottles) didn’t have cognac so I switched it out with sweet vermouth (which I use in various steak recipes)! It is mainly used to sauté the mushrooms so the flavor isn’t that crucial to the overall recipe.

Served it with long grain wild rice and a side salad… made a simple perfect meal. I was drawn to the recipe since most of the ingredients I already had in the pantry.

I know what you’re thinking…WHAT does Salisbury steak have to do with the month of March and anything green??? Think hard..there’s an answer!


The answer: Absolutely NOTHING! That is why I was FORCED to make myself an after dinner cocktail… A GRASSHOPPER!!




· 1 shot green crème de menthe
· 1 shot white crème de cacao
· 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Place crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and ice cream into a blender. Blend until thick and creamy…YUMMMMMMM

My sweet St Patty’s Annalee doll is hanging on tight!




May your neighbors respect you,
Troubles neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And Heaven accept you.

KEY LIME CHEESECAKE

Foodie Friday is hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum. Check out her blog to see links to other blogs participating in Foodie Friday.

This month anything green is a go for me!! So what’s more green than something LIME…. Key Lime Cheesecake to be exact. You have to remember I live in the Midwest so we don’t have access year round to certain “fancy” ingredients. So, instead of using ‘key limes’, I used just regular limes. Also, I decided to make individual cheesecakes and used the pre-made individual graham crust shells, which come 6 to a package. You will need a minimum of 12 shells and depending on how you fill them, you made need a few more!

But most importantly, these taste GREAT!! The zest makes them a little tart, but that suits my taste buds. I made up a little raspberry puree to use as garnish, complimenting the lime taste perfectly. My oldest son decided to use some Hershey’s syrup on his, which suited him fine!



The recipe is from Allrecipes titled Key Lime Cheesecake 1
Top your cheesecake anyway you like; there are many flavors that meld well with lime. When in doubt, follow Marsha & Debbie’s outlook on life… CHOCOLATE ON EVERYTHING!!



As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Chocolate Pots with Irish Crème Liqueur

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Around Valentines Day one of my favorite bloggers, Susan from Savoring Time in the Kitchen made delectable Chocolate Pots de Crème.

We both had purchased these cute 2 oz red lions head pots from Sur La Table and I figured it was time to put them to use. Since it is getting close to St. Patrick’s Day I decided to make Chocolate Pots with Irish Crème Liqueur.




Simple, simple recipe:

Chocolate Pots with Irish Crème Liqueur

5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1 Cup heavy cream
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Irish Crème Liqueur

Break up the chocolate and place it in a food processor. Over medium heat, heat cream to almost boiling. Combine cream with chocolate and blend until chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
Add the egg and Irish Cream liqueur and blend again until smooth. Pour into six ramekins and chill for at least 24 hours. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Serves 6.



Needless to say, these are very rich tasting and should be served with a cookie of choice… one recommendation would be Irish Oatmeal Cookies!


Irish Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups McCann’s Quick Cooking Irish Oatmeal

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and oatmeal. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared sheet, leaving space between. Bake 7 to 8 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool.

YIELD: 2 Dozen



IRISH SAYING ...
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends