Stuff Your Flank...

Everyone has a favorite cut of beef and a favorite preparation and once the art of cooking your beef to your specific preference is mastered there ends the story. When was the last time you steered away from your favorite steak preparation?  Let's look past the grill for a moment and the the classic choice of filet mignon, london broil or a strip steak and choose a different cut of beef like the flank steak for a change.  It is relatively priced and so versatile.  It is great sliced ultra thin for sandwiches and perfect for a quick stir fry but how about we take it a little farther and stuff it.  It is so easy to do and the end result is a perfectly cooked piece of beef perfection wrapped around a delicious middle. Try it tonight...Beef it's what's for dinner.



Italian Stuffed Flank Steak 
1.25 lb. Flank Steak
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 Cloves Garlic (minced)
4 Cups Spinach (washed and dried)
Salt/Pepper
8 Slices Provolone Cheese
8 Slices of Red Roasted Peppers
1 Cup Red wine
1 Cup Water

In a medium size pan
Heat olive oil over medium heat
Add garlic
Season with salt/pepper
Cook for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant
Add spinach and toss to coat with olive oil and garlic
Cook till wilted - about 3 minutes
Remove from heat and allow to cool

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Lay flank steak on a clean, flat work surface
Season with salt/pepper
In the middle of the meat overlap 4 slices of provolone on meat
Next add the spinach on top of the cheese
Next top with red roasted peppers
Overlap remaining 4 slices of provolone cheese over filling
Gently fold left side of flank steak over filling tuck under stuffing
Then gently fold the right side of flank steak over top of left folded side
Place meat on a rack inside of a roasting pan
Pour red wine and water over the top of the stuffed steak
Allowing the fluid to collect in the bottom of the roasting pan
Place in oven and cook for 45 minutes
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes
Gently remove remove steak from rack and place on a cutting board
Slice into 1 inch pieces
Discard liquid from roasting pan

***For a more medium rare cook for 1 hour and allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing

Healthy Solutions Spice Blend Challenge...

Whose up for a challenge...a Healthy Solutions Spice Blend Challenge that is...I am and I am extremely excited about it too.  I was graciously given a packet of Healthy Solutions Spice Blend - Ultimate Burger and a short list of rules.  When my packet came in the mail it was like the amazing birthday gift you wait for as a kid from your grandmother in Florida.  I opened the envelope with such care and could not wait to get my packet open for a little taste.  The creative juices started flowing and low and behold T's BBQ Meatballs were created, eaten for dinner and enjoyed tremendously.  Wish me luck on my tasty creations...and make them for yourself, they are sure to be rewarding for your taste buds.

T's BBQ Meatballs

2 lbs. 85% Lean Ground beef
4 Poblano Peppers - small (diced)
2 Jalapeno Peppers (diced)
1 Large Onion (diced)
1 Large Carrot (diced)
Salt/Pepper
3 Tablespoons Healthy Solutions Spice Blend Ultimate Hamburger
1/4 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 Egg
1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (plus more for sprinkling)
5 Slices of Bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil

In a medium fry pan
Coat the bottom of the pan with vegetable oil or canola oil
Saute peppers,onions, and carrot
Season with salt/pepper
Remove from heat and allow to cool

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl
Add the ground beef
Add Healthy Solutions Spice Blend
Add Worcestershire sauce
Add onion/pepper/carrot mixture
Add egg
Mix to combine
Add cheese and bacon
Mix to combine
Shape into golf ball size meatballs
Lightly oil a sheet pan with vegetable oil or canola oil
Place meatballs on sheet pan
Bake for 30 minutes
Remove from oven
Place meatballs on top of rice
Top with Sauce
Sprinkle with desired amount of shredded cheddar cheese
Enjoy

T's Sauce
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Ketchup
Salt/Pepper/Garlic Powder
Worcestershire Sauce (a few shakes)
1/2 Bottle Dark Beer

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl
In a medium saucepan over medium/low heat
Add all ingredients
Cook for 20 minutes
Cover and keep warm until meatballs are cooked and ready for plating

Roasted Veggie Enchaladas

I was recently in the mood for something fiesta like in flavor.   I was thinking how about enchiladas I have not made them since I first got married - look out 10 years - and back then what did I know about cooking...not too much but I do remember making enchiladas and my husband loved them.  Ok off to the store for the "enchilada sauce".   Of course it is not just the "enchilada sauce" it is this, that and the other 10 things for a total of $53.50 later...no biggie.

So I say how about roasted veggie enchiladas.  Slicing and slicing I go.  Colored bell Peppers, poblano peppers, onions, squash.  Beautiful colors tossed with olive oil to glisten in the oven.

Ok...wait 30 minutes for veggie perfection and they are perfect!

Lets assemble the enchiladas.  I look at the can on the counter and I read the ingredients AGAIN...I cannot stress enough the AGAIN part because in the store I completely, totally and utterly missed the modified corn protein part as well as the monsodium gludimate part...WHAT...I missed that.  Now i am in fiesta feisty MSG no way Jose not in my kitchen mood I think there is no possible way I am pouring chemicals onto my roasty toasty beautiful veggies.  I walk the can over to the donation bag and make a deposit.  Onto plan B.   Fresh cilantro from the fridge into the blender with a little half/half and whir it up.  Well not only does it compliment the colores of the veggies but it is so vibrant and OH SO delish.

Now we can assemble and return to happy fiesta mood. So my apologies go to my husband...sorry for the processed MSG I gave you ten years ago but this dish came out so good you will marry me all over again and totally forget those "other" enchiladas!


1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced long ways)
1 Yellow Pepper (sliced long ways)
3 Small Poblano Peppers (sliced longways)
2 Onions (sliced)
1 Green Zucchini (sliced long ways)
1 Yellow Zucchini (sliced long ways)
Salt/Pepper
Olive oil
1 handful cilantro
2 Tablespoons of Half/Half
6 Flour Tortillas
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
Pam Spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
On a baking sheet lay veggies in a single layer
Season veggies with salt/pepper and toss with olive oil
Roast for 30 minutes
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes

In the meantime blend half/half and cilantro set aside

Assemble enchiladas
Spray a baking dish with Pam spray
Lay out 6 tortillas
Place a little bit of cheese inside each tortilla
Add veggies to each tortilla
Fold and place seam side down onto baking dish
Top with reserved cilantro sauce
Top with remaining cheese
Bake for 20 minutes till cheese is melted