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!!!!