Beef Stoganoff

My last post about the steak was fun. I've really missed posting food. It stinks that the weather keeps so many people away from town, but it does give me time to catch up here. So hello!

This is actually a leftovers recipe. That steak was fun, but I made a couple too many. So, I had to do something fun with the leftovers. And this sure was fun!

It's not a traditional stroganoff, but with the sour cream sauce, it's the closest thing. I enjoyed it anyway.

Beef Stroganoff

1 cup precooked beef strips
1 lb pappardelle pasta
2 cups mixed mushrooms, shitake, portobello, button
1/3 cup beef or vegetable broth
black pepper
1 tsp cumin
8 oz sour cream
1/4 cup cream or milk
2 tbsp Garlic Olive Oil
Himalayan Pink Salt
1 tsp Espresso Balsamic

Toss the mushrooms with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and cumin. Saute in a very large pan over medium low heat until they are reduced by at least half. Increase the heat to medium high and add the beef strips, Balsamic, black pepper to taste and the broth.

Cook the pasta to al dente, rinse and drain. Slowly pour into the pan with the beef and mushrooms.

Stir in the sour cream adding the cream if it is too thick.

Chocolate Espresso Steak

This February, I'd love to say I'll only do things related to Chocolate and Desserts, but why limit myself? You know I'd never be able to stick to it anyway.

I did however decide to play with our lovely New Chocolate Olive Oil this week. Some mediocre cuts of steak plus a bit of oil, a little balsamic and it's just a mouthful of YAY!

Chocolate Espresso Steak
(recipe is per 1 steak)

1 Steak
1 Tbsp Chocolate Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Espresso Balsamic
Himalayan Pink Salt, or Espresso Sea Salt
black pepper

This recipe works best with a nicely fatted cut of steak. I love a rib eye or a strip streak, but the center cut sirloin is usually the cheapest thing at my grocery store. Rub the steak with the olive oil and a pinch of the salt.

Turn on your broiler and lay the steak out a little bit away from the heat. Almost the middle of the oven. 5 minutes on each side should get you a steak that's about medium done. Adjust up or down for your preference.

Top with the Espresso Balsamic and a twist of fresh black pepper.

Guest Recipe: Espresso Balsamic Sauce

Heide is a new employee of ours and we are enjoying working with her very much. She made this sauce the other day and shared it with us. It's great to have another creative cook!

'I made an easy sauce out of espresso balsamic. Hope you like as much as we did!'

Heide King

Espresso Balsamic Sauce

1/2 small can organic tomato paste
1/3 large bottle espresso balsamic
1/4 to 1/2 cup water (depending on desired thickness)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oinion powder
1/4 cup rum
1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt (to taste)
Wisk over low heat till hot and combined.  Eat warm or cold. 

Balsamic Roasted Strawberries

Roasting is one of the more unexpected things to do with fruit. Right up there with grilling. But both use heat to release and intensify fruit's natural sweetness. And they are both pretty easy and something really neat to do when you have guests over. It's not another pie...Although, you could maybe use these as a pie filling.

Roasted Strawberries
Mostly from Epicurious.com

2 pints strawberries, hulled
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tbsp Espresso Balsamic

Your strawberries don't have to be at their freshest for this recipe, just not moldy. Hull and rinse them. I halved them, because some of them were rather large. Sprinkle with the sugar and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours.

Preheat your oven to 375degrees and transfer the strawberries and sugar mix to a large oven proof dish. Toss them with the Balasmic and pepper. Roast 8-10 minutes. They should be hot and bubbling but not too mushy.

Serve with ice cream, yogurt, cake. Imagine away!

2 Kinds of Balsamic with Brownies!

None of my recipes turn out pretty! I am upset with that. But I hope the tastiness makes up for that.

Balsamic Brownies

1 Box of your favorite brownie mix. I like what-ever-is-on-sale-this-week fudge.

1 pint fresh berries

2 Tbs Espresso Balsamic

Raspberry Balsamic for drizzling

Make your brownies according to the directions. As a last step, add the Espresso Balsamic. Bake.

Serve warm with berries on top and drizzled with Raspberry Balsamic.

Balsamic and Ice Cream

Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream with Espresso Balsamic. It is a great pairing that is sweet and tangy and perfect for any time of the year. I've had this three day in a row. (it is a heat wave!)

I need to get more ice cream. And some fresh berries. I can't wait to try this with strawberries and blackberries mixed in.

My Favorite Salad

This was my lunch today at the store. I love to bring in a salad and just go crazy with the balsamics as much as I want.

This is my go-to salad. Salad mix, chopped strawberries, Espresso Balsamic and a bit of Basil Olive Oil. There are a couple of raisins hiding on the bottom of the bowl, but they didn't make it into the picture.

Just a perfect combination for me.