Steak Dinner

Thank you everyone who entered the "Cutie-Pie
Apron" Giveaway! I wish I could give all of you an apron.

They are so much fun...I love to make them! They
will be for sale & featured on the blog & in my new
"ETSY Store" in a few weeks.

Congratulations!!
The Winner is...Zion and Missy who said...
"I have been looking around for a cute apron.
I love these. I love the black and white dot one
the best."

Thanks so much! Please email me @
santasgiftshoppe@gmail.com (with your
address) & I will send the Cutie-Pie Black
& White polka dot apron & "Kiss the Cook"
Vinyl Lettering Plate right out to you.

I know Valentine's Day has past but I couldn't
pass up the opportunity of sharing something
Fast/Easy & sensational tasting....."How to
cook a beautiful New York Strip Steak to
perfection."

First...How often do you get to eat steak
in this economy?? Probably not very often.
We hardly have had it in a long time..It's way too
expensive..so this last week when Savemart
had a great sale on these I decided I wanted
to surprise my husband with a "Special"
dinner for Valentine's Day. (You could also cut
it in half to feed 2 people) I think they were
about $3-$3.50 ea. (which is still higher than I
normally would pay for meat..but considering the
size & the cut they were better than about 1/2 price)

Second..I saw the length (abt. 8") & height
(1 1/2" thick) of these beauties & I thought I
would hate to mess them up by not cooking
them right..so I found on Google an easy/fast
way of doing them & I will rely on this method
forever...The results were out of this world!!

Ya know the cute movie "Julia and Julie"?
Well I love to bake/cook, too... so seeing that
movie I felt I was living vicariously thru Julie...
making all these great dishes that Julia Child had
made & feeling like I could maybe do it in real life...
Ha!Ha!!!

***Cooking these beautiful New York Strip
Steaks & having them taste as good as dining
in one of the best restaurants made me feel
closer than ever to being that kind of cook I
would like to be someday. Anyway try this for
yourself..I think you will be pleasantly surprised as
I was with ours.

RECIPE
2 New York Strip Steaks
1 Tbsp. olive/canola oil
garlic powder (I added this)
Salt/Pepper

Directions:
1) Your steaks should be at room temperature
before cooking. Preheat oven @ 325F.

2) Pour a little oil into a frying pan. Use a paper
towel to coat the entire inside of the pan w/oil.
A good Hot pan is the key to a good seared steak
Heat the pan on Med. High for a min. or 2 until
you can throw a piece of butter in & the fat starts to
sizzle right away. SEE the (2) PHOTOS BELOW:

2) Season steaks w/garlic powder/salt/pepper on both

sides. SEE BELOW:

3) For the perfect medium-rare steak..(1-1 1/2" thick)

cook 6 minutes on one side (leave alone & don't

turn) then flip the steak w/tongs or turner (don't

puncture, that will let juices escape) & cook 6 minutes

on the other side.

4) The meat should be nicely browned on each side with

a crust. LET REST FOR 10-15 minutes before cutting

into it. It will "sweat" and glisten as some of the juices rise

to the surface, but mostly (by resting) it will make the

meat so much juicier & have tons of flavor (from the

caramelizing) as shown. You can put it in the oven to

keep warm so it can "rest" while you finish with making

the meal. After that when you cut into it...the juices will

flow and you will taste one tender, succulent, delicious

steak!!!! What a Treat.....Enjoy!!!

FREE GIVEAWAY...Cutie-Pie Apron & Vinyl Lettering "Kiss the Cook" plate

Black & White Polka-dot Cutie-Pie Apron
& "Kiss the Cook" Plate

Red & White polka-dot Cutie-Pie Apron

& "Kiss the Cook" Plate

In honor of Valentine's Day we would like

to Giveaway 1 of these Cutie-Pie Aprons

& "Kiss the Cook" Plates.. (The plate has

Vinyl Lettering on it so you would not want to

put food on it) It is a high quality plastic but

looks ceramic....Black & White Polka-dot apron

has black ruffle on pocket (looks like a band in

photo) Red apron has tiny pin point white dots

on it that (in photo) can't be seen that well.

*****HOW TO ENTER******

1) Leave a comment along with your

email telling us which one you want if you

won...that gives you 1 chance

2) Post about this Giveaway on

your blog or Facebook and leave me

another comment WITH A LINK

back to this blog...Link will be verified...

that gives you 2 chances

3) Follow this blog...(Go to the sidebar

then click on"Followers" and follow the

prompts)...that gives you 2 chances

4) Add us to your blog list....that gives you 1 chance

5) Grab our "Button" & Code and put on your blog...

that gives you 1 chance

6)Subscribe to our email (at top of blog)

(will be verified) ....that gives you 1 chance

Note: You do not need to have a blog to enter but you

do need to leave an email address.

Good Luck to everyone!

Giveaway closes Wed. Feb.17th 11:59pm PST

(Open to U.S. 48 contiguous states)

Valentine's Dessert (Brownie a la mode w/chocolate sauce & chocolate heart)

Here is another FAST/EASY Dessert for the ones you
love... It's just a Chocolate brownie cut out with a
heart shaped cookie cutter...topped with a scoop
of vanilla ice cream, Chocolate sauce dipping
down the sides..& a Chocolate heart place on top!!!
It looks harder than it is..I promise...

RECIPE
1 box of Brownie mix (any kind)
ingredients for brownies (eggs, oil, & water usually)
vanilla ice cream

For Chocolate Hearts on Top:
1 bag chocolate melts (like in previous post..from
Walmart or Michael's)

For Chocolate Sauce:
3/4 c. heavy cream
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
1) Make brownies as directed on back of pkg.
(cool & set aside)

2) To make Chocolate Hearts
Take 1/2 a bag of chocolate melts and microwave
for 1 min. on 50% power...then continue at 30 sec.
intervals at 50% power stirring after each one
(until smooth & shiny)

(Line a baking sheet with wax paper for the hearts
to be placed on & to dry)

Take melted chocolate & put into baggie (that
is not pleated) or small Ziplock bag with spoon.
Grab & twist bag tightly at top so chocolate doesn't
come out & cut a tiny bit off the corner so you have
a small hole that you "write" a heart on the prepared
baking sheet. Make as many hearts as the baggie will
hold or that you need. Let cool (I put them in the
refrigerator to speed up the process.) Set them aside

For Chocolate Sauce:
Melt chocolate chips in microwave @ 50% power
for 1 min & then 30 sec. intervals until melted
(Stirring after each interval) stir in cream slowly
to blend & is smooth & shiny

Putting it all together:
1) Cut brownies with heart shaped cookie cutter
2) With ice cream scoop put 1 scoop of vanilla ice
cream on top of brownie
3) Make sure the Chocolate sauce is warm & with
teaspoon drip some sauce on top of ice cream.
4) Place a Chocolate Heart on top of ice cream &
Chocolate sauce....What a Masterpiece!!! Just take
Bows!!!

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Would you like to give a FAST & EASY "Special
Treat" to someone you love on Mother's Day?
Here it is...It could not be any easier than this. Can
you believe that there are only 2 ingredients???

1 pkg. Candy Melts (found @ Walmart, Michaels)
1 c. Planters Roasted Peanuts (salted, or lightly salted)
**(You will need wax paper & a baking sheet, too)

Directions:
1) Take a full pkg. of candy melts and microwave on

50% power for 1 min. Continue to do this every 30

sec. until completely melted (stirring at each interval)

2) Stir peanuts into melted chocolate..

SEE BELOW:

3) With a teaspoon.. scoop some melted Chocolate
& Peanut mixture on to a baking sheet lined with

wax paper.
SEE BELOW:

4) Let Cool..(I put them in the refrigerator to speed

up the process) To plate the finished candy....put on

a heart plate with a white heart doily.

Like the plate??? I got mine at Walmart (they have

Red & Pink...) HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Enjoy...These are Yummmmmmmmmy!!!!!!

How to make Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mother's Day is coming so what a wonderful surprise it
would be to give her some wonderful, delectable,
mouth watering Chocolate Covered Strawberries.

Friends always think they take a long time to make,
but truth be known they are really easy to make...

Why don't you surprise that special mom that you
love ...with these babies...I bet she'll love them &
you for being so thoughtful....

RECIPE
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips or wafers
2 Tbsp. butter or shortening
2 (1lb.) boxes of fresh strawberries

You also will need: baking sheet, wax paper,
microwave-safe bowl

Directions:
1) Line a baking sheet with wax paper (I used
Cut-Rite). This will give you a good place for
the strawberries to cool & harden after you
dip them in the melted chocolate.

2) Wash strawberries...

and dry thoroughly.

Paper towels are probably the best to use for

drying strawberries. You want the melted chocolate

to adhere to the strawberry without any problems.

SEE BELOW: (Also leave the hulls on the

strawberries so you have a "Handle" to hold

on to while dipping.)

3) Put chocolate chips & butter or shortening

in microwave-safe bowl.

4) Place in microwave & heat for 1 min (on 50%

power) Continue to stir & check every 30 sec.

until smooth. SEE BELOW:

5) To dip strawberries: Take strawberry by the

stem (hull) and dip into melted chocolate...

6) They should be dipped almost completely & placed

on prepared baking sheet (with wax paper)

SEE BELOW:

7) After placing them on baking sheet..

Let them dry thoroughly..Place in refrigerator

until hardened if necessary. (I like to do that!)

They harden faster that way...

8) You did it!!!!!!! See that wasn't so hard..

Now go share these with someone special..

These are Sooooo Delicious.....Enjoy!!!

P.S. ***GIVEAWAY...FEW DAYS AWAY.....YAHOO!!!

Super Bowl Favorites (FOOTBALL PARTIES)

Are You ready for some FOOTBALL? Here are

some of our Fast & Favorite Super Bowl Recipes
that we have picked out for you to make it easier to
have all the recipes on 1 pg.! Have a Great Time!!
Above is the 7 Layered Bean Dip which is sure
to please a hungry crowd at game time or anytime.
RECIPE
1 32oz. can of refried beans
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning
1 16oz. sour cream
1 16oz. jar of Salsa (we used our homemade)
1/2 head of lettuce (chopped)
4 tomatoes (chopped)
2 c. Mexican blend shredded cheese
1 sm. can sliced olives
1 bunch green onions (a few sliced) Optional
Directions:
Mix taco seasoning with refried beans in bowl.
Spread on large platter or 9"x13" pan. Layer sour
cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, &
green onions as seen in ABOVE PHOTO..Enjoy!
BELOW are the BEST/FAST/EASY Super
Bowl Recipes we have chosen from the blog
especially for you:

Easy Potato Skins
Best Honey BBQ Ribs

Best Homemade Chili Easy Homemade Salsa

Best Chocolate Mint Brownies

Chocolate Brownie Footballs

Chocolate Mini Bundt Cakes w/ Peanut Butter Frosting

Ouuuu these are soooo good!!! If you like Chocolate
& Peanut Butter (& who doesn't?) you'll love these
Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes w/Peanut Butter
Frosting.

I found these over at Stephanie's Kitchen...but made
several changes because I wanted to take these to a
dinner party tonite & had not planned to do
that until an hr. before I was to be there (plus
getting ready) They turned out great & surprised me
at how easy they were to make...(They look like they
took a lot of time but..they didn't..and isn't that
what we like..

They were a big hit at the party too...so FAST & EASY
Sorry the picture is blurry...


RECIPE
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker)
plus ingredients on back of cake pkg. (3 eggs,
oil, & water)

PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
1/2 c. butter, at room temperature
1 c. creamy peanut butter
2 c. confectioner's sugar (sifted)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbsp. milk (I used Fat Free & it worked out fine)
18 Small Reese's peanut butter cups (quartered)

Directions:
1) Cream the butter & peanut butter together until
smooth. SEE BELOW:


2) Add confectioner's sugar and vanilla.
SEE BELOW:

3) Slowly add one Tablespoon of milk at a time,
until you get the consistency you want.
SEE BELOW:

4) Then I put the bowl into the microwave for
about 1 min. I wanted it thick, but able to flow
down the sides of each mini cake. Then top with
quartered peanut butter cups and enjoy pure
bliss...SEE BELOW:

EASY/FAST HOMEMADE SALSA

Here's another "munchie" to go along with all
your other Party Recipes

This is our Easy/Fast HOMEMADE Salsa.
Watch how fast it disappears before
your eyes. These great chili peppers are from
my best friend's garden..Thank you Diane!!

RECIPE

6 cans (14.5oz) petite diced tomatoes or
6 lbs. fresh tomatoes (about 18 medium)
(but the easier way I think is cans)
1/2 c. white or cider vinegar
1 pouch Mrs. Wages Salsa Tomato Mix
(from Walmart) it has a mixture of onion,
green bell pepper, jalapeno, chili peppers,
garlic, salt, & other spices
1 c. chopped cilantro

Using the canned tomatoes, open
& pour in all 6 cans of tomatoes into a pot..
*(all the liquid in the can as well)

Combine tomatoes, vinegar, salsa mix,
& cilantro & bring to a boil.

Stir occasionally...Reduce heat &
simmer 10 minutes..

TO CAN: Pour hot salsa into clean,
sterilized pint canning jars, leaving 1/2"
head space. Cap each jar when filled.

PROCESS 40 MINUTES in boiling
water bath..

Test Jars for airtight seals according to
manufacturer's directions. (Can be stored
up to a year) If jars do not completely
seal, refrigerate & consume within 1
week..ENJOY & SHARE THE GOODS...

**Don't forget...GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!!!!

Super Bowl Chicken/Cheese Enchiladas

There are a ton of Super Bowl Party recipes all
over the the Internet and they always seem to have
enchiladas (cheese, beef or chicken) as one of the
favorite foods (so with that in mind) here is a easier
enchilada recipe that DOES NOT TAKE AS MUCH
TIME as most do. That's because it's LAYERED
instead of individually stuffed & rolled.

Last week I made beef enchiladas for some
neighbors & had not done it in along time...
As I started making the beef filling & frying up
each tortilla I started remembering why I don't
make them very often..IT TOOK MOST OF THE
DAY!!!!My neighbor told me how much he loved
them... My husband raved about them too..so I'm
happy I made them..

However, I wanted to try a faster way with chicken
I needed to use up. (Remember my New Year's
Resolution..(use up what you have) I combined
an old family recipe & came up with this chicken
& cheese enchilada recipe which took me 25 min.
(if you have your meat already cooked) plus 25 min.
in the oven. You could also easily exchange the
chicken for a beef mixture..That would taste
great, too.

RECIPE
9 corn tortillas
2 c. chicken (cooked & chopped)
Enchilada Sauce (or you can use store bought)
1 (14.5) oz can diced tomatoes
1 (8oz.) sm. tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Toppings
2 c. shredded (Mexican blend) cheese
1 sm. can black olives (sliced)

1) Heat oven to 350F.

In a blender put diced tomatoes & blend

a few seconds til smooth. Pour pureed tomatoes

into saucepan. Add chili powder, salt, garlic

powder, & sm.tomato sauce. SEE BELOW:

2) Spread 1/4 c. enchilada sauce in bottom of a

9" pie plate or similar type dish. SEE BELOW:

3) Pour some of the sauce on to a another plate

(or shallow dish) to dip each tortilla in before

placing it in layered dish. Then begin to LAYER

tortillas, chicken, sauce, cheese & repeat

a couple of times until ingredients are gone.
SEE BELOW:

4) Top with remaining cheese/olives & Bake for

25 min. or until filling is hot & bubbling.

SEE BELOW:

****ALERT!! GIVEAWAY COMING SOON.. CHECK BACK WITH US!!!

Delicious Potato Skins

Whether it's Football Party time or Anytime
is a great time for these appetizers..Potato Skins
filled with whatever you love (cheese, bacon, chives,
sour cream) These are from Daisy brand sour cream
recipes. These are super easy to make.

RECIPE
6 sm. baking potatoes
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 tsp. grill steak seasoning/or seasoned salt
4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
2 c. shredded cheese (I used Mexican 4 cheese)
4 strips bacon, cooked, crumbled
3/4 c. sour cream
2 tsp. snipped fresh chives (optional)

Directions:
Lightly grease outside of potatoes, cut a small slit
in top & Bake @ 425F. for 45 min. or until soft.
Let stand until cool enough to handle,
about 15 min.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise & scoop out
cooked potato, leaving a thin layer of potato
interior. (Save cooked potato for mashed potatoes
or hash browns.) SEE (2) PHOTOS BELOW:

Brush outside and inside of skins with melted

butter. Sprinkle inside with steak seasoning &

Parmesan cheese. AS SEEN BELOW:

Place on lightly greased baking sheet (I love

& used Silpat Liners from France) Bake

8 min. or until crisp & bubbly. Fill with

your favorite cheeses & bacon. Bake 3 min.

or until cheese is melted. Top each with a

dollop of sour cream & sprinkle with chives.

(optional..I don't like chives so this is the

end result) SEE BELOW:

GIVEAWAY ALERT..COMING SOON..CHECK BACK WITH US!!!