Dinner with the Crawfords

Last night was very fun.  It was great to finally get to entertain.  I really do love being the hostess.  We started off dinner with Swiss Steak.  It is a family recipe that I like to tweak just a little, I mean how can adding garlic really be a bad thing (hmm, mom, how can that be bad??)?

Swiss Steak

2lb package tenderized cube steak
1 med onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 package fresh mushrooms chopped
1 cup flour
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3/4 cup beef broth

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Put steak between to pieces of wax paper and pound with a mallet or anything else you want to use, until meat is about 1/4" thick. Cut each steak in half.  In large skillet heat 2Tbsp of oil over medium heat.  Add onions, garlic and mushrooms.  Saute for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.  Take onion mixture out of pan and put into bowl.  Add the other 2Tbsp of oil to the pan.  Combine egg and milk in a bowl.  Combine flour, salt and pepper in another bowl.  Dip steak in egg mixture and then coat with flour mixture.  Place steak in skillet to brown, about 3 minutes per side.

Place steak in a baking dish, cover with onion mixture.  Pour beef broth over steak.  Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

For the sides I made mashed potatoes and garlic green beans.  Both of these recipes are my own and live in my brain.  I am finding it hard to put them into a form for others to use.  I have no idea how much butter or milk I use in my mashed potatoes, I guess I will go make them again so I can find out!

Mashed Potatoes

10 large red potatoes cubbed, leave skin on
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 c milk
salt and pepper to taste

In large sauce pan place potatoes and cover with water.  Boil over med-high heat until potatoes are tender.  Drain potatoes and rinse with hot water.  You can either put them back in the pan or into a large bowl.  Smash potatoes with a potato masher.  They do not need to be free of all lumps.  Once potatoes are mashed add milk, butter, salt and pepper, mix well.

Garlic Green Beans

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Lb fresh or frozen green beans
3 cloves garlic grated
salt and pepper to taste

In large skillet melt butter over med-high heat.  Add grean beans, garlic, salt and pepper.  Saute until green beans are just starting to wilt.

We finished the meal off with a Banana Pudding recipe that I found at allrecipes.com.  It is very good. 

I would say the evening was a success!!!!

Beef Bourguignon...

Tonight I made Beef Bourguignon...ok, I didn't really make it, Supper Supers did.  The in-laws had a gift certificate so we thought we would try it out.  I did have to cook it though and let me tell you the aromas that filled the house were heavenly.

Beef Bourguignon is a dish that I would really like to make from scratch.  My desire to make it increased after seeing Julie & Julia, of course.  I currently do not own Julia Child's french cook book (even though I love her so) but hope to acquire it soon.

Tomorrow we are having friends over for the dinner.  This will be the first time since we moved home 6 months ago.  I am itching to entertain.  I think the menu will consist of Swiss Steak, my mother's recipe that I like to tweak a little even though it makes her want to disown me for "changing a family recipe that is wonderful as is".  I also think there will be some sort of potato dish and another veggie...maybe squash or green beans.  And for desert, I'm not sure just yet.  I need to go in search of a good recipe. 

Until tomorrow when I let you know how it all turns out.